web design

InSite MediaCom required a complex redesign with specific objectives. Because InSite's old design was somewhat lackluster, we decided that a "splash of flash" with some edgy audio on the opening page would be o.k.--after all this is a billboard ADVERTISING company. We stayed with their original dark background colors and logo.

InSite requested that we build an interface that would allow them to geographically plot their billboard locations on a map, with the plot points linking to detailed information about each board.

We created a database template of board data, and a secure web interface for InSite personnel to add or update board info. We then combined Ammap software with the Google API for InSite to create dynamic maps. The map plot points entered into the web interface write to an XML file intermediary to the Google API. Certain record fields are previewed in the generated info box, which links back to the complete data record. Finally, within the record display is a link to a Google hybrid image of the coordinate pairs at maximum zoom.

This was our most complex project to date, and it exemplifies a high degree of integration between complex programming with valid design elements.

The FDA Leadership website was a project that started out primarily as a website, but which morphed into a secure discussion forum and organizational intranet. As it became clear that sensitive information and documents were becoming core to the site, the design integration between html pages and forum PHP pages became the central challenge.

We installed an Invision Power Board to supply the security and permissions for forum discussion and secure document uploads, and further integrated the organization's master calendar into the design using calendar application service provider Trumba. While you cannot see Trumba's calendar javascript "spud" integration as a guest of the site, you can see the initial design integration with Invision simply by going to the homepage, which is html, and then clicking the "Orientation & Help " link on the menu--you will be taken to the corresponding Invision PHP page with guest permissions.

Basically, we searched for and found an Invision skin for around $25.00 that most closely matched the original design, then installed it, then gradually worked through the program's html templates to more closely match the original design. Our familiarity and experience with the software, and practice with skinning and template integration establishes us as one of the premier integrators for Invision Power Boards.

Now, using the website, FDA leaders are able to search for upcoming meeting agendas and download or review them, then post comments and upload supplemental items. They can add meeting dates and info from the calendar into their PDA or Outlook mail client using any of several formats, and can even be reminded of meetings via wireless notification.

For serious inquiries into this type of application, we can walk interested parties through a more complete overview of the board and site integration with our admin password.

At the risk of shamelessly highlighting a personal hobby site, the Bottle Den really does merit inclusion here, as it has undergone several redesigns, including the current one, which employs a static CSS background, image "bleeding" and a self adjusting I-Frame height script.
While you wouldn't think that high-technology is useful in producing an antique bottle website, this site does in fact use some fairly advanced concepts.
I use a centered pop-window script to open thumbnail images into high-def size, as well as a CSS-based slideshow script from Project VII to render over 500 images of rare bottles by category. The site features a database of over 2000 known pre-civil war soda and beer bottles which I have compiled over a period of 35 years.
The database pages are themed to match, and framed into, the site's main content area and the I-Frame script analyzes the height of any given database query output page and adjusts the height of the parent frame to match.

This site was a labor of love for many years, and was one of the first sites to bring an active database of searchable collectibles to the web. The site has enjoyed top rankings for a Google search on "old bottles for sale" and I have sold several thousand dollars worth of antique bottles from the site over the last eight years.

The Pelican Dental Concepts website was a re-design project, taking an old PHP template site with some fairly dated color-saturated images, and brushing it up a bit (somehow green people seem to invoke thoughts of jaundice moreso than a positive spin on dental health plans).

We went with unretouched photos and plenty of them--really giving the models at iStockPhoto a workout. This was also a chance to use a nifty "equal height column" script to line up columns equally without the need for tables. This makes for a cool transition effect, especially in super large monitors, as the left column "slides down" to meet the base of the center column. We used a CSS controlled fly-out menu, keeping the vertical navigation bar relatively short.

Pelican Dental Concepts shows businesses how to self-administer a dental health program for employees, without the extra overhead cost (and limitations) of an indemnity plan. Talk about a great way to solve the problem of health care in America. An in depth evaluation form, filled out at the site, triggers an onsite visit from a Pelican Dental Specialist in Florda, Georgia or Alabama. We also manage 2 sites which help businesses to implement Pelican type plans nationwide, and now one based in Ohio, focused on the midwest region.