Web Development Skills

    In very general terms, I see the design and development of a Web site, as combining the following three skill sets, or separate areas of expertise:

1. Graphic / Multimedia Designer
   • Overall site layout including typography, graphics, and any animations or audio.
   • Site "Look and Feel", innovative "something truly Magical" designs, . . .
   • How users interact with the site, branding and marketing considerations, . . .
2. Content Writer / Editor
   • Produces, refines, and edits the site content.
   • Content others provide put into language suitable for the intended audience.
   • Terms used, and dispersion of terms through the content, are appropriate for search engine indexing; . . .
3. Technical Implementer / Web Coder
   • Provides very detailed "How to" and "What is possible" expertise.
   • Knowledgeable in accessibility issues, and many methods for implementing Web content.
   • Optimizes sites for loading performance and (standards based) multi-browser compatibility.

    As a Junior level Web developer-- producing work that is exceptional, but still limited in scope-- I really fit into this latter (technical) category. And I specifically concentrate on the above optimization of Web sites. Which makes my services of real value to sites that already have an excellent design and content, that is well suited to the purposes for the Website. So my optimizing the site for loading performance and compatibility, then delivers this appropriate design and content in a manner most effective for the site users.

    I currently am very competent and experienced with both HTML (including XHTML) and Cascading Style Sheets, at a hand coding level of work, while having a good basic understanding of JavaScript. Possibly more important, I am also an exceptional problem solver-- where minor miracles, and most things that "may not be possible" just take a little longer to accomplish.

    As a problem solver, I am continuing to develop innovative techniques, and expand my experience at optimizing Webpages for loading performance. Where all aspects of Webpage loading are considered; rather than just considering total file size and download time. So that excellent loading performance can be obtained, without having to sacrifice the website appearances, in order to do so.

    These optimization techniques just begin with basic HTML design methods, and tools to reduce image file sizes. Then call upon Cascading Style Sheets and JavaScript-- in a manner that will degrade gracefully, when not supported-- to get as sophisticated as each site or Webpage requires. Keeping a real focus on using techniques that are standards based. Which also improves the consistent presentation and multi-browser compatibility of the pages. While helping to ensure that future browsers will continue to present these pages in the desired manner.