Website designer

These websites are listed in reverse chronological order, with the most recent at the top of each section.

I have included examples of the following aspects of web design:

Design of the look & feel of a site from start to finish

Bloomsbury Associates

Website: bloomsbury.co.nz
Client: Bloomsbury Associates
Dates: February - July 2018, with ongoing webmaster support after delivery
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

Bloomsbury Associates is an independent financial advisory practice established to provide investment services to clients in New Zealand. In 2010 I designed and built their first website, and have been taking care of it ever since. An office relocation in 2018 combined with a redesign of their logo and branding was the perfect opportunity to create a new, responsive website for them.

All the content was new, written especially for the website by Matai Partners. I liaised with them and together we worked on creating the perfect marriage of website design and content for the new site, taking inspiration from the new logo, typeface and branding colours from Scratch Design.

I was responsible for the initial quote, client liaison, project management, scoping, information architecture, responsive design and front-end development, building the completed website, content-loading, editing, testing, proof-reading, QA and ongoing support. There's no CMS - we don't need one - instead, I code all the content by hand.

I am the webmaster for the site, providing updates as required and have also redesigned and developed new HTML emails using Campaign Monitor, which are sent out quarterly to the company's clients. Find out more about the Bloomsbury Associates project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Webmaster, Responsive web design/dev, CSS-based layout, CSS3, HTML5, jQuery/JavaScript, HTML email, Dreamweaver templates, No CMS, Small sites

Transpower GOL

Website: internal Transpower access only
Client: Transpower
Dates: June 2016 - March 2017
Government status: State-Owned Enterprise
My professional status: contractor at Transpower

Transpower's Grid Operators who manage the National Grid were using an old application that had been co-opted from another team and wasn't entirely fit for purpose in its new environment. They wanted a new custom-made application – based on the original but reinvented to match exactly what they needed. They felt it would be useful to have a UX designer on the team, to help them figure out how to turn their requirements into reality. Several processes had to be integrated with other Transpower applications, sharing and updating information/data between apps, which added another layer of complexity to the project.

I was responsible for information architecture, UX consultation and design, wireframes and schematics (keeping these updated on an ongoing basis), responsive application design, and front-end development of the application screens. I collaborated and consulted closely with the developer, working on the integrated application within Visual Studio once she had built the app, then did post-integration testing and QA. I also helped the BA to maintain and update the requirements.

The project was carried out within an Agile work environment. The process was highly consultative, with expert opinions being sought daily from our two SMEs (Grid Operators from Auckland and Christchurch) and also from the rest of the team, particularly our BA, our chief tester, our developer, and our system integration and security specialist. Find out more about the Transpower GOL project

Categories: IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Responsive web design/dev, CSS-based layout, CSS3, HTML5, ASP or ASP.NET, Government websites, Small sites

OFLC (2016)

Website: classificationoffice.govt.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Office of Film & Literature Classification
Dates: September 2015 - April 2016, with ongoing support until December 2021
Government status: Government Agency
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

I built a new version of the Information for Students site in 2015 for the Office of Film & Literature Classification, which left their main website looking a little tired and outdated. The next project was therefore to design and build a new responsive version of the main site.

I was responsible for client liaison, project proposal and quote, project management, scoping, information architecture, wireframes and schematics, responsive design and front-end development, HTML5, CSS3, LESS, jQuery, e-govt accessibility compliance, QA, client training and ongoing support, content coding, formatting and loading, some content writing and editing (Dreamweaver templates).

The new design had to be friendly, helpful and trustworthy. I used the existing design as a starting-point and worked to create a new, fresh, updated and fully responsive design for the new site. Find out more about the OFLC (2016) project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Govt web standards tester, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Responsive web design/dev, CSS-based layout, CSS3, HTML5, jQuery/JavaScript, e-govt/WCAG compliance, Dreamweaver templates, Government websites, Medium sites

WebWeaver Productions

Website: webweaver.co.nz
Client: me
Dates: August 2013 - April 2015 onwards
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

In April 2015 I launched a total re-design and re-build of the website. The design is completely new and it's now a responsive design/build in CSS3 and HTML5, designed for ease of reading in whatever device it's being viewed on. In addition, for the first time, the site is being managed via the SilverStripe CMS, integrated by my WebWeaver programmer Tom St George.

Commissioned, designed, architecture-d, developed, built, written, edited and project-managed by me. The site is designed to be fully accessible and has been fully tested and displays consistently across a wide range of operating systems, browsers and devices. Find out more about the WebWeaver Productions project

Categories: Showcase sites, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Govt web standards tester, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Webmaster, Responsive web design/dev, CSS-based layout, CSS3, HTML5, jQuery/JavaScript, e-govt/WCAG compliance, SilverStripe, Large sites

OTNZ

Website: nzaot.com (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Occupational Therapy New Zealand
Dates: July 2013 - March 2015, with ongoing support after delivery
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

An occupational therapist is a registered health provider who uses the theory of occupation to improve well-being and quality of life. Occupational Therapy New Zealand Whakaora Ngangahau Aotearoa is the national association representing occupational therapy professionals in New Zealand.

I was responsible for the initial quote, information architecture, site schematics, ongoing project management and client liaison, website design, HTML5 and CSS, testing, accessibility and e-govt compliance, SilverStripe CMS training, QA and ongoing support. Find out more about the OTNZ project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Govt web standards tester, Writing for the web, CSS-based layout, CSS3, HTML5, jQuery/JavaScript, e-govt/WCAG compliance, SilverStripe, Large sites

NZ Netherlands Foundation

Website: netherlandsfoundation.org.nz
Client: New Zealand Netherlands Foundation
Dates: March - November 2012, with ongoing support and updates until December 2013
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

The Foundation has a wide-ranging brief to foster pride in the Dutch contribution to New Zealand. Its goals are to promote links between the Netherlands and New Zealand, to encourage the Dutch in New Zealand to keep their heritage alive through cultural and educational exchanges, and to celebrate the contribution the Dutch have made and continue to make to New Zealand's economic and social fabric.

I was responsible for the initial quote, information architecture, site schematics, ongoing project management and client liaison, design, XHTML and CSS, testing, accessibility compliance, CMS training, QA (including some writing and editing of content) and ongoing support. Find out more about the NZ Netherlands Foundation project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, CSS-based layout, jQuery/JavaScript, SilverStripe, Medium sites

NZ Artificial Limb Service

Website: nzals.govt.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: New Zealand Artificial Limb Service
Dates: February - June 2012, with ongoing support until 2016
Government status: Crown Entity
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

The NZALS is a Crown Entity that helps meet the rehabilitation needs of New Zealand amputees and is the national provider of artificial limbs in New Zealand. They had developed the concept of a 'health hub' to act as a first place to come for New Zealand amputees and needed a new website in order to achieve this.

I was responsible for the initial quote, information architecture, site schematics, ongoing project management and client liaison, website design, XHTML and CSS, testing, accessibility and e-govt compliance (including the production of an e-govt test report), CMS training, QA and ongoing support - as well as content production management and some writing and editing. Find out more about the NZ Artificial Limb Service project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Govt web standards tester, Writing for the web, Content-loader, CSS-based layout, CSS3, jQuery/JavaScript, e-govt/WCAG compliance, SilverStripe, Government websites, Medium sites

Bloomsbury Associates

Website: bloomsbury.co.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Bloomsbury Associates
Dates: October - December 2010, with ongoing support until 2018
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

Bloomsbury Associates is an independent financial advisory practice established to provide investment services to clients in New Zealand. They wanted a website that would provide general information about their services and their philosophy, together with case studies and testimonials from existing clients.

I was responsible for the initial quote, client liaison, project management, scoping, information architecture, web design, HTML and CSS, jQuery, building the completed website, content-loading, testing, proof-reading, QA and ongoing support. I am the webmaster for the site, providing updates as required and have also designed and developed HTML emails using Campaign Monitor, which are sent out quarterly to the company's clients. Find out more about the Bloomsbury Associates project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, Webmaster, CSS-based layout, jQuery/JavaScript, HTML email, No CMS, Small sites

Bamford Medical

Website: no longer online
Client: WM Bamford & Co Ltd
Dates: May - July 2009 and March - May 2010 with ongoing support until 2015
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

Following the successful launch of the Bamford website, we were asked to create a companion website, Bamford Medical, which would allow the company to sell a selection of their medical products online. The templates and CMS backend of the new site were based on the original Bamford site, with a completely different look and feel so that they were easily distinguishable from one another.

I was responsible for the initial quote, information architecture, ongoing project management and client liaison, web design, HTML and CSS, jQuery, testing, CMS and photoshop training, QA/proof-reading and ongoing support. Find out more about the Bamford Medical project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, CSS-based layout, jQuery/JavaScript, ExpressionEngine, E-commerce, Medium sites

Holmes Consulting Group

Website: holmesgroup.com (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Holmes Consulting Group
Dates: September 2009 - April 2010, with ongoing support until December 2013
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

The international structural engineering firm Holmes Consulting Group asked for a completely new photography-centered design, new HTML/CSS templates, and a new CMS, which would be populated with all-new content.

I was responsible for the initial quote, information architecture, site schematics, ongoing project management and client liaison, web design, HTML and CSS, jQuery, testing, putting together the skeleton site in SilverStripe, training, QA and proof-reading, and ongoing support. Find out more about the Holmes Consulting Group project

Categories: Showcase sites, Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, CSS-based layout, jQuery/JavaScript, SilverStripe, Medium sites

OFLC - info for students (2010)

Website: censor.org.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Office of Film & Literature Classification
Dates: August 2009 - January 2010, with ongoing support after delivery
Government status: Government Agency
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

The OFLC wanted a new website aimed at students doing projects on censorship in New Zealand. The website needed to be accessible, e-govt compliant, and the design had to appeal to young people.

I was responsible for the initial quote, information architecture, site schematics, ongoing project management and client liaison, web design, HTML and CSS, jQuery, e-govt accessibility compliance, testing, building the skeleton site using Dreamweaver templates, training, QA and proof-reading, and ongoing support. Find out more about the OFLC - info for students (2010) project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Govt web standards tester, Writing for the web, Content-loader, CSS-based layout, jQuery/JavaScript, e-govt/WCAG compliance, Dreamweaver templates, Government websites, Medium sites

Master Plumbers

Website: masterplumbers.org.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Inc
Dates: April - October 2009, with regular ongoing support until March 2016
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

Master Plumbers had an old website that needed redesigning and integrating within a more user-friendly CMS. We identified three main sections of the site - Public, Trade and Members - which led to a four-colourway design solution.

I was responsible for the initial quote, information architecture, site schematics, ongoing project management and client liaison, web design, HTML and CSS, jQuery, accessibility compliance, testing, content-loading, CMS training and ongoing support. Find out more about the Master Plumbers project

WM Bamford & Co Ltd

Website: bamford.co.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: WM Bamford & Co Ltd
Dates: November - December 2008 with ongoing additions until 2015
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

WM Bamford & Co Ltd is one of New Zealand's leading independent medical supply companies, and needed a new website which would reflect and complement their new print brochure - and which would allow potential customers access to their substantial product listings as well as providing information about Bamford's supply agencies and partners.

I designed and built the site and also worked on project management, information architecture and site schematics, as well as creating dynamic functionality via jQuery and facilitating CMS integration. The design inspiration was taken from the company's print brochure. Find out more about the WM Bamford & Co Ltd project

NZ Business Assessment

Website: no longer online
Client: Business Capability Partnership/Optimation
Dates: September - October 2007 with ongoing additions after go-live
Government status: funded through the Ministry for Economic Development
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

The Business Capability Partnership wanted a website for their New Zealand Business Assessment initiative, which was designed to enable business owners to assess their business's current capabilities and assist in identifying opportunities to improve business performance.

I designed and built 17 template pages for the site, which was developed by Optimation within an ASP.NET environment. Once phase 1 of the site went live, Optimation worked with the BCP to develop and extend the site's capabilities, and from time to time I worked alongside the Optimation developer to provide CSS for new elements. Find out more about the NZ Business Assessment project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Project manager, Website designer, Front-end developer, Govt web standards tester, CSS-based layout, e-govt/WCAG compliance, ASP or ASP.NET, Government websites, Small sites

Māori Media Network

Website: maorimedia.co.nz
Client: Māori Media Network
Dates: April - August 2007
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

The Māori Media Network wanted a new website which would promote their skills and services online. I designed and built the site and also worked on project management, information architecture and site schematics, as well as planning for JavaScript and CMS integration. The design is based on the lovely Māori Media Network logo. Find out more about the Māori Media Network project

Drilling for Diamonds

Website: no longer online
Client: The Mills Group
Dates: February 2007 - March 2012
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

The Mills Group wanted a website which would both promote their Drilling for Diamonds online coaching products and act as a secure portal through which D4D coaches could train staff. The secure login included an admin section through which The Mills Group staff could add new clients and coaches, give them access to the online coaching materials, and create collections of personalised coaching materials for specific groups within the coaching scheme.

I designed and built the site and also worked on project management, information architecture and site schematics. I continued as the site's webmaster once the site went live. Find out more about the Drilling for Diamonds project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Webmaster, CSS-based layout, Other CMS, Small sites

The Gathering Archives

Website: thegathering.co.nz
Client: me
Dates: October 2006 - present
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

In October 2006 I began creating, designing, building and writing The Gathering Archives website and accompanying WordPress blog, with the aim of becoming the authoritative source of information on the history and background of iconic New Zealand dance party, The Gathering. The site is divided into different sections for each of the six Gatherings, and includes facts & figures, media coverage, Gathering artwork, photos, video and film footage, Gatherer stories and maps of the venue for each party. The design for each section is based on the official Gathering artwork from that year. Find out more about the The Gathering Archives project

Categories: Showcase sites, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Webmaster, CSS-based layout, WordPress, No CMS, Large sites

Gambling Helpline

Website: no longer online
Client: Gambling Helpline New Zealand
Dates: February 2005
Government status: funded by the Ministry of Health
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

Gambling Helpline wanted to redesign the way that results were displayed within their online assessment (built in Flash). They felt that the existing method of display was unclear, and wanted a range of concepts from which they could select the final design. I came up with a number of concepts and refined the preferred design. Find out more about the Gambling Helpline project

Categories: Website designer, Flash, Government websites, Small sites

Medals NZ

Website: not online
Client: Medals NZ
Dates: August 2004
My professional status: contractor at Oryx Technologies

Medals NZ had a very clear idea of the type of design they wanted for this site, and the sector of the marketplace at which it was aimed. I designed the site on the basis of these ideas. Find out more about the Medals NZ project

Categories: Website designer, Small sites

ECE ICT

Website: offline PowerPoint presentation
Client: Ministry of Education - Early Childhood Education
Dates: June - July 2004
Government status: Government Ministry
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

The Early Childhood Education team wanted a new logo based on a set of key words and phrases. From this would be developed templates for a Powerpoint presentation. I designed the logo using a matrix approach, and developed the five best ideas, from which they chose their favourite. I then designed the templates around this new logo. Find out more about the ECE ICT project

Categories: Client liaison, Project manager, Website designer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Government websites, Small sites

Te Reo Māori in Mainstream

Website: Flash website for offline presentations
Client: Alice Patrick
Dates: May - August 2004, and June 2005
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

Teacher and Māori advisor/facilitator Alice Patrick wanted a website that she could project onto a big screen and use as an integral part of her talks and presentations around the country. I designed and built this fully interactive Flash website using ActionScripting and incorporating sound and video clips. Find out more about the Te Reo Māori in Mainstream project

Categories: Client liaison, IA & UX, Website designer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Flash, No CMS, Small sites

WebWeaver Productions (2000-2015)

Website: webweaver.co.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: me
Dates: September 2000 - April 2015
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

Commissioned, designed, architecture-d, developed, built, written, edited and project-managed by me. In July 2005 I rebuilt the original tables-based site in pure CSS. It was designed to be fully accessible, displayed a liquid layout with min-width, was written in valid HTML 4.01 Transitional and CSS, and was fully accessibility-tested and displayed consistently across 13 browsers in Mac and PC. I built it using templates and Dreamweaver library items so that I could easily update it and make alterations. Find out more about the WebWeaver Productions (2000-2015) project

Categories: Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Govt web standards tester, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Webmaster, CSS-based layout, jQuery/JavaScript, e-govt/WCAG compliance, No CMS, Large sites

Monkey Records

Website: monkeyrecords.co.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Monkey Records
Dates: July - October 2000
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

The Monkey Records website was an e-commerce venture, with the record label relying on it to provide a large proportion of their CD sales. I designed and built the site, which includes information on all Monkey's recording artists, and a simple shopping cart where visitors could listen to and buy CDs. The design was inspired by the photo which the client wanted me to use for the front page. Find out more about the Monkey Records project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, jQuery/JavaScript, Old-school table layout, No CMS, E-commerce, Small sites

Wai 100%

Website: wai100.com (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Minaaka
Dates: May 2000 - September 2001
My professional status: contractor at Base Two and then independent web designer/developer

Māori electronica duo Minaaka wanted a fresh and groovy website where they could showcase their music and their artistic vision. I designed and built the site for. Some of the site was in te reo, the rest was in English; and it included mpg video and mp3 audio files. The design was adapted from the Native design used for the CD cover, and the website acted as a promotional and sales tool for that CD and for Minaaka themselves. Find out more about the Wai 100% project

Categories: Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Webmaster, jQuery/JavaScript, Old-school table layout, No CMS, E-commerce, Medium sites

WOMAD

Website: womad.co.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: The Edge (for WOMAD)
Dates: January 1998 - February 1999
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

1999 was the second year that a full-scale WOMAD festival was held in New Zealand. They needed an attractive and accessible site that would tell the world about WOMAD Aotearoa. I designed and built this award-winning website, which could be easily added to and updated in the runup to the 1999 event. Find out more about the WOMAD project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Webmaster, jQuery/JavaScript, Old-school table layout, No CMS, Medium sites

Health Action

Website: healthaction.org.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Health Action
Dates: February - November 1998
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

Nelson-based health advocacy group Health Action, who had absolutely no experience of the web, wanted a website which they could use as one of their outreach tools for youth. I designed and built this youth-oriented site, which included a database listing a wide range of health resources in the local region. Find out more about the Health Action project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Old-school table layout, Database-driven (pre-CMS), Medium sites

ESOL

Website: no longer online
Client: Ministry of Education
Dates: October - November 1997
Government status: Government Ministry
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

ESOL was a sub-site which I designed and built within the Ministry of Education's own website. The client wanted a simple and easy to navigate site, following MoE colour and logo guidelines. Find out more about the ESOL project

Categories: Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, Webmaster, Old-school table layout, No CMS, Government websites, Small sites

The Gathering

Website: no longer online
Client: The Gathering
Dates: September 1997 - September 2000
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

The Gathering was New Zealand's largest and most well-respected annual dance party. I created, designed, wrote, built and maintained the 900-page multi-award-winning website, giving Gatherers as much information as possible about every aspect of The Gathering, as well as archiving previous parties. Find out more about the The Gathering project

Categories: Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Webmaster, Old-school table layout, No CMS, E-commerce, Large sites

Healthy Lifestyles

Website: no longer online
Client: Wellington College of Education and the Cancer Society
Dates: August 1997 - September 1999
Government status: Crown-Owned Tertiary Education Institution
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

This Cancer Society-sponsored award-winning website promoted healthy lifestyles for kids. I worked closely with the content creator to design, illustrate, develop and build a series of online school projects within the site. Find out more about the Healthy Lifestyles project

Categories: Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Webmaster, Old-school table layout, No CMS, Government websites, Large sites

EEO Trust

Website: eeotrust.org.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: EEO Trust
Dates: August 1997 - August 1998
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

The EEO Trust were new to the web and wanted an easily-navigated information-rich website, which I designed and built. The site communicated what the EEO Trust was about, and how it could be of benefit to employers. Find out more about the EEO Trust project

Categories: Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Webmaster, Old-school table layout, No CMS, Medium sites

InterLink

Website: no longer online
Client: The British Council
Dates: September 1996 - July 1997
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

I developed, designed, built and constantly updated this multi-award-winning website for a ground-breaking project linking 12 pairs of schools in New Zealand and the UK, who worked for 6 months on a range of 70 projects using the internet for trans-global communication - and I also managed the InterLink project itself. Find out more about the InterLink project

Categories: Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Old-school table layout, No CMS, Large sites

Asia2000

Website: asia2000.org.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Asia2000
Dates: August 1996 - May 1998
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

This site began life as a web version of a printed quarterly newsletter, which I maintained and updated following an existing design (1996). In 1998 I redesigned, developed and built the site into a complete award-winning package, incorporating the newsletter within a new and larger website. Find out more about the Asia2000 project

Categories: Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, Webmaster, Old-school table layout, No CMS, Small sites

Improving on the design of an existing website

Bee Dawson

Website: beedawson.co.nz
Client: Bee Dawson
Dates: February - April 2018, with ongoing webmaster support after delivery
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

Bee Dawson is a New Zealand author, columnist, public speaker, and a social and oral historian. She writes books and articles about a wide range of New Zealand subjects, from Lady Painters to the history of High Country sheep stations, as well as all things historical and NZRAF-related.

She had had a small themed WordPress website built for her a few years earlier, which had become a bit messy. It needed a tidy-up and for some of the pages to be redesigned and rebuilt so that they looked nicer and were more user-friendly. I was responsible for improving the design, layout and formatting of the website. Find out more about the Bee Dawson project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, Webmaster, CSS-based layout, CSS3, HTML5, WordPress, Small sites

Wild Workouts

Website: wildworkouts.co.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Karen at Wild Workouts
Dates: October 2017 - January 2018, with ongoing webmaster support until 2020
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

Wild Workouts is an outdoor health and fitness company run by Duck Patten and Karen van Rensburg. They take fitness outside and make it fun. They have been providing training in Wellington’s wild weather since the start of 2010, and are located out and around Wellington as a mobile training outfit.

They had an existing responsive themed WordPress website built for them a few years ago, which had become a bit messy. It needed a tidy-up and for some of the pages to be redesigned and rebuilt so that they looked nicer and were more user-friendly. They also needed some out-of-date content to be updated and changed.

They asked me if I'd be willing to maintain and develop their website - migrating the site to my web host and then taking over as webmaster. Find out more about the Wild Workouts project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, Webmaster, Responsive web design/dev, CSS-based layout, CSS3, HTML5, WordPress, Small sites

NZ Association of Economists

Website: nzae.org.nz
Client: Anthony Byett at NZAE
Dates: September 2017 - January 2018, with ongoing webmaster support after delivery
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

The New Zealand Association of Economists was founded in 1959 and promotes collaboration and discussion among professional economists in New Zealand. The organisation encourages and publishes research and disseminates information on research projects. It promotes the profession of economics in New Zealand and fosters interest in and understanding of New Zealand's economic problems.

They had an existing responsive themed WordPress website built for them a few years ago, which had become a bit messy. It needed a tidy-up and for some of the pages to be redesigned and rebuilt so that they looked nicer and were more user-friendly. There was also some missing content which needed locating and restoring, and some new plugins and widgets to be added.

They asked me if I'd be willing to work with their editor to maintain and develop their website - migrating the site to my web host and then taking over as webmaster. Initially Anthony requested a number of improvements and alterations to the site, and since then we have continued to work together on whatever updates and additions are required. Find out more about the NZ Association of Economists project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, Website designer, Front-end developer, Webmaster, Responsive web design/dev, CSS-based layout, CSS3, HTML5, WordPress, Large sites

The Play Press

Website: playpress.co.nz
Client: Jean Betts
Dates: August 2016 onwards
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

The Play Press is a small independent New Zealand publisher of plays, and specialises in publishing and promoting new New Zealand plays in New Zealand and overseas; to preserve a range of quality scripts and to make texts more accessible for rehearsal and study; and to help generate productions.

The Play Press grew out of The Women's Play Press collective, launched in 1994, initially to publish plays performed in 1993 in a festival celebrating the centenary of women's suffrage in NZ. In 2001, at a time when no one else was publishing any plays, and feeling that there were still too many good scripts (by both men and women) languishing unpublished that needed to be made available, Jean Betts established The Play Press as well.

The Play Press website was built in Joomla! a few years ago and managed by a developer who was no longer able to continue as webmaster due to other commitments. I was asked to take over as webmaster, and to look after the site - updating website content, improving the website styling and doing CMS version updates as required. Find out more about the The Play Press project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, Webmaster, CSS-based layout, CSS3, HTML5, Joomla!, Small sites

Beer Belly Jellies

Website: no longer online
Client: Lindy MacLennan
Dates: September - October 2015, with ongoing support until December 2017
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

Beer Belly Jellies was a small business creating craft beer jellies, handmade with New Zealand craft beer. They had had a responsive themed WordPress website built for them a couple of years earlier, which had become a bit messy. It needed a tidy-up and for some of the pages to be redesigned and rebuilt so that they looked nicer and were more user-friendly.

They asked me if I'd be willing to help by identifying some "quick wins" that would improve the look and functionality of the site within a limited number of hours of work. I was responsible for improving the design, layout and formatting of the website. Find out more about the Beer Belly Jellies project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Responsive web design/dev, CSS-based layout, CSS3, HTML5, WordPress, E-commerce, Small sites

PS Network

Website: psnetwork.org.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Public Sector Network of Communicators Committee
Dates: July - September 2015
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

The Network of Public Sector Communicators is a professional network, leading knowledge sharing and professional development to drive excellence in public sector communications. They run affordable events, conferences and social events. Their professional development programme, practical resources and programme of activities covers the full range of communications disciplines.

They needed someone who understood SilverStripe websites to update their website in a big hurry, as their Annual Conference was fast approaching. They got in touch with me following a personal recommendation from one of my bandmates who was working as their Coordinator.

I was responsible for updating the website, adding a new Conference section containing information about the event, including the timetable, speaker bios, sponsor details, workshops and masterclasses. I also updated the News and Events sections and figured out how to link the conference pages to their online membership portal where members could register for the conference and associated workshops and masterclasses.

In addition, I made a number of design recommendations for changes to the header, footer and sidebar areas, and improved on the layout and formatting within the Conference pages. Find out more about the PS Network project

Categories: Client liaison, Project manager, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Webmaster, CSS-based layout, SilverStripe, Small sites

Zero Harm

Website: zeroharm.org.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Business Leaders’ Health & Safety Forum
Dates: February 2015 - November 2020
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

The Business Leaders’ Health and Safety Forum is a coalition of business and government leaders committed to improving the performance of workplace health and safety in New Zealand. Their vision is all business leaders passionately committed to achieving Zero Harm Workplaces. They needed a new webmaster to take care of their website, and approached me after a personal recommendation from one of my other clients.

I am responsible for regularly updating their responsive website, creating and removing pages, content-loading, making graphics, and editing/proofreading content. I am also responsible for doing a full content audit of the website and, to review the website IA with a view to updating and improving it. I will also be doing a similar review of the homepage to see if that can be improved, and re-designing and re-building it if necessary. I'm also responsible for social media consultation, helping the organisation to decide what social media to use and how to use it. Find out more about the Zero Harm project

Categories: Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Webmaster, Responsive web design/dev, CSS-based layout, CSS3, HTML5, jQuery/JavaScript, SilverStripe, Medium sites

OFLC homepage (2014)

Website: classificationoffice.govt.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Office of Film & Literature Classification
Dates: August - September 2014
Government status: Government Agency
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

The Office of Film and Literature Classification wanted to improve their website homepage - both in terms of its design and also the content that was displayed there. They wanted a number of new elements on the homepage, including a carousel highlighting their videos and a link to their Facebook posts, as well as rearranging the existing content on the page.

I was responsible for putting together a quote for the work, wireframing the homepage, redesigning and rebuilding it, accessibility and browser testing. Find out more about the OFLC homepage (2014) project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Govt web standards tester, CSS-based layout, CSS3, HTML5, jQuery/JavaScript, e-govt/WCAG compliance, Dreamweaver templates, Government websites, Medium sites

Aquavilla

Website: aquavilla.co.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Jeremy Brown, on behalf of his mum
Dates: August 2013
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

Aquavilla is a boutique accomodation cottage in Plimmerton, north of Wellington. The owners had had some problems with the responsive WordPress theme that their website was built in, and needed someone to tidy it up, restyle it a bit, and make it work properly. They also wanted a new photo gallery and a contact us form. Find out more about the Aquavilla project

Categories: Client liaison, Project manager, Website designer, Front-end developer, Responsive web design/dev, CSS-based layout, CSS3, jQuery/JavaScript, WordPress, Small sites

Pacific Island Affairs

Website: mpia.govt.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs
Dates: July - December 2012, with ongoing support and updates after delivery
Government status: Government Ministry
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

test Find out more about the Pacific Island Affairs project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Govt web standards tester, Writing for the web, Content-loader, CSS-based layout, CSS3, jQuery/JavaScript, e-govt/WCAG compliance, SilverStripe, Government websites, Large sites

MedSys

Website: internal MCNZ access only
Client: Medical Council of New Zealand
Dates: January - July 2009
Government status: appointed by the Ministry of Health
My professional status: contractor at Optimation

MedSys is MCNZ's core system for handling doctor registration and on-going certification, which Optimation spent three years designing, developing and implementing. I was responsible for a number of tasks, including a rebuild of the application's chrome, a review and streamlining of the template design to save space and fit in more content, and an overview and rebuild of the HTML/CSS in many of the templates in order to improve cross-browser compatibility and increase consistency throughout the application. The site is built in asp.net, so virtually all of my work was within the .net environment, working on already-integrated templates using VisualStudio. Find out more about the MedSys project

Categories: IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Govt web standards tester, Writing for the web, CSS-based layout, jQuery/JavaScript, e-govt/WCAG compliance, ASP or ASP.NET, Government websites, Large sites

LINZ

Website: linz.govt.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Land Information New Zealand
Dates: November 2005 - March 2006, May 2006, June 2007
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

LINZ wanted to redevelop and add new content to the Mariner's section of the LINZ website, which was housed outside the main site, and was not part of the CMS.

After I completed this project, I was retained as an e-government expert to advise on the most effective way of converting PDFs to web pages - and how to create Word documents in the future which could more easily be converted to accessible web pages. I subsequently designed and developed 11 subsites which housed LINZ's most-requested key documents - including the LINZ Statement of Intent and the Annual Report. Find out more about the LINZ project

Categories: Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Govt web standards tester, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Old-school table layout, Other CMS, Government websites, Medium sites

Karori Garden Centre

Website: no longer online
Client: Karori Garden Centre
Dates: June - July 2004
My professional status: contractor at Oryx Technologies

The Karori Garden Centre wanted a garden "character" to add life to their new website and to act as a guide around the site. I designed and drew the tui character in Freehand and animated it in Flash. Find out more about the Karori Garden Centre project

Categories: Website designer, Flash, Small sites

Simillimum

Website: arnica.co.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Simillimum Homeopathic Pharmacy
Dates: February - September 2004
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

Originally designed as an online brochure, Simillimum needed a revamp - into a useful, interactive site generating additional income. I tidied up the existing website and professionalised the look. Find out more about the Simillimum project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Old-school table layout, No CMS, E-commerce, Small sites

Kakapo Recovery

Website: kakaporecovery.org.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Department of Conservation
Dates: December 2003 - March 2005
Government status: Government Department
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

This website needed regular updating over a number of years. I added new images and sections and made text changes as requested by the Department of Conservation. I also proof--read the site, made corrections to the text and improved the design. Find out more about the Kakapo Recovery project

Categories: Client liaison, Project manager, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Webmaster, Old-school table layout, No CMS, Government websites, Small sites

M-co

Website: m-co.com (site has since been redesigned)
Client: M-co
Dates: July 2001 - November 2003
My professional status: employee at Origin Design

M-co had a network of international websites managed by a central CMS. This large database-driven network was redesigned in 2003 and I carried out a range of projects including Flash, page building, design development and Photoshop work. Find out more about the M-co project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, Old-school table layout, Flash, Database-driven (pre-CMS)

Playmarket

Website: playmarket.org.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Playmarket
Dates: April - August 2000
My professional status: contractor at Base Two

I carried out maintenance as requested by the client, and did some re-design and streamlining of the existing website, which had grown somewhat difficult to manage. Find out more about the Playmarket project

Categories: IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, Webmaster, Old-school table layout, No CMS, Medium sites

APEC Classroom Online

Website: no longer online
Client: APEC
Dates: March - June 1999
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

APEC New Zealand needed to develop this site, which was aimed at teachers who wanted to examine APEC with their students prior to the 1999 APEC conference. I maintained the site, repaired broken links and also added small sections to complete the project. Find out more about the APEC Classroom Online project

Categories: Project manager, Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, Webmaster, jQuery/JavaScript, Old-school table layout, No CMS, Medium sites

Hillary Commission

Website: no longer online
Client: The Hillary Commission
Dates: April 1997 and March - October 1999
Government status: was part of the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

I designed and built the Kids Go 4 It and Push Play sections, and maintained and developed the main multi-award-winning site. In 1999 the Hillary Commission wanted a compete overhaul of the site, which I carried out - including design and architecture, budgeting and timelining. Find out more about the Hillary Commission project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, Webmaster, Old-school table layout, No CMS, Government websites, Large sites

Asia2000

Website: asia2000.org.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Asia2000
Dates: August 1996 - May 1998
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

Categories: Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, Webmaster, Old-school table layout, No CMS, Small sites

Extending and/or developing another designer's work

This can include: customising and making improvements to a WordPress theme; development of multi-template website designs following specifications, guidelines or rough sketches from another designer; using the style and layout of a single page to complete the design for the rest of the site; designing a new page or section based on an existing design; developing an existing design into deeper levels of the website.

Reno Man Construction

Website: renomanconstruction.co.nz
Client: Chris Routhan
Dates: May 2023, with ongoing support afterwards
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

Chris Routhan is a friend of mine - we're in the same band - and he's a self-employed builder by trade. He had looked at a few other Wellington builders' websites and knew that he wanted a very simple site - probably just a WordPress one-pager - to showcase what he does and the services he provides, and to give potential clients an easy way to get in touch with him.

Chris and I selected the theme together, from a shortlist I drew up based on his requirements. I changed various aspects of the design and then built, content-loaded, proof-read and tested the website, selecting and optimising (almost) all the photographic imagery from Chris's own collection, and organised webhosting. I now provide Chris with ongoing support and updates as required.

I tweaked the design to improve some of the responsive functionality as I wasn't completely happy with the layout at various device widths. I made various changes to the design including font selection, colour palette, background graphics and other styling updates. I designed and incorporated a logo and some brand colours, as well as adjusting the size and style of various headings and sub-headings. I also made improvements to the vertical rhythm of the page. Find out more about the Reno Man Construction project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Responsive web design/dev, CSS-based layout, CSS3, HTML5, WordPress, Small sites

MPI - PBI

Website: piersearch.mpi.govt.nz/plants-biosecurity-index/
Client: Ministry for Primary Industries
Dates: July - October 2022
Government status: Government Ministry
My professional status: contractor at MPI

I designed and built a series of web-based applications and tools within the biosecurity sphere for the Ministry for Primary Industries, under the umbrella of the PIER (Product Import and Export Requirements) project.

At the last minute we were asked to redesign and rebuild the Plants Biosecurity Index (PBI) and integrate it into SilverStripe, to be launched at the same time as the updated ONZPR and new PIER Search tools. The PBI is a searchable database of over 30,000 plant species that provides information on whether each species can be imported into New Zealand as seeds or nursery stock.

I was responsible for the UX consultation and design, responsive web design which used the existing MPI website design as a starting-point, front-end development, browser and device testing, e-government compliance and accessibility, post-integration testing and QA. Find out more about the MPI - PBI project

Categories: IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Responsive web design/dev, CSS-based layout, CSS3, HTML5, e-govt/WCAG compliance, SilverStripe, Government websites, Large sites

MPI - ONZPR in SilverStripe

Website: onzpr.mpi.govt.nz
Client: Ministry for Primary Industries
Dates: April - October 2022
Government status: Government Ministry
My professional status: contractor at MPI

In June 2020 we had launched our first application - the Official New Zealand Pest Register or ONZPR. In 2022 we updated the ONZPR and integrated it into the SilverStripe CMS to join PIER Search, which was being designed and built at the time. The ONZPR is a searchable database of almost 25,000 pests and pathogens relevant to New Zealand.

I was responsible for the UX design, responsive web design (originally based on MPI's existing website design), front-end development, cross-browser and mobile device testing, e-government compliance and accessibility, and post-integration testing and QA. Find out more about the MPI - ONZPR in SilverStripe project

MPI - PIER Search

Website: piersearch.mpi.govt.nz
Client: Ministry for Primary Industries
Dates: January 2020 - October 2022
Government status: Government Ministry
My professional status: contractor at MPI

The core product in Phase 1 of the PIER project is PIER Search. This online search tool enables users to find NZ import and export requirements for a range of commodities and countries.

I was responsible for the UX design, responsive web design which used the existing MPI website design as a starting-point, front-end development, cross-browser and mobile device testing, e-government compliance and accessibility, some content-loading and CMS training, and post-integration testing and QA. Find out more about the MPI - PIER Search project

Categories: IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Responsive web design/dev, CSS-based layout, CSS3, HTML5, e-govt/WCAG compliance, SilverStripe, Government websites, Large sites

MPI - ONZPR

Website: onzpr.mpi.govt.nz (site updated in 2022)
Client: Ministry for Primary Industries
Dates: September 2019 - June 2020
Government status: Government Ministry
My professional status: contractor at MPI

Our first application was the Official New Zealand Pest Register or ONZPR. The ONZPR is a searchable database of almost 25,000 pests and pathogens relevant to New Zealand, and includes general information about each pest, as well as specific details for researchers, importers, exporters and the general public.

I was responsible for the UX design, responsive web design which used the existing MPI website design as a starting-point, front-end development, cross-browser and mobile device testing, e-government compliance and accessibility, and post-integration testing and QA. I also wrote the microtext, introductory text, and help text across all pages and templates. Find out more about the MPI - ONZPR project

Categories: IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Responsive web design/dev, CSS-based layout, CSS3, HTML5, e-govt/WCAG compliance, ASP or ASP.NET, Government websites, Large sites

MPI - DBMS

Website: internal MPI access only
Client: Ministry for Primary Industries
Dates: June 2019 - October 2022 (intermittently)
Government status: Government Ministry
My professional status: contractor at MPI

My first task for PIER was to design and build a series of database management (DBMS) screens. These would allow our database team to input and edit the thousands of commodities, pests, import and export requirements that make up PIER Search and related applications.

I was responsible for the UX design, the visual web design which used the existing MPI website design as a starting-point, the front-end development and the post-integration testing and QA. Find out more about the MPI - DBMS project

Categories: IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, CSS-based layout, CSS3, HTML5, ASP or ASP.NET, Government websites, Large sites

MacDiarmid Institute

Website: macdiarmid.ac.nz
Client: The MacDiarmid Institute
Dates: January - March 2017 and August 2018 - July 2019 with ongoing support after launch
Government status: Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE)
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology is one of New Zealand's oldest Centres of Research Excellence (CoREs). It brings together almost 100 research investigators along with graduate and PhD students from seven institutions across Aotearoa. Their research focus is materials science and new technology, especially the unexplored territory where chemistry, physics, biology and engineering meet.

Their existing website was old, messy, out-of-date and hard to maintain. The navigation architecture wasn't well organised and it had become difficult for visitors to find the information they were looking for. It was time for a new website with a new logical architecture and a much stronger focus on the institute's researchers, with the majority of the pages being re-written prior to launch. We also wanted to migrate and incorporate news articles and magazine items from the old site, as much of this content was valuable as an ongoing archive of the Institution's research projects and progress.

I was responsible for the initial proposal and quote, client liaison, project management, information architecture and UX design, responsive design development and front-end development, browser and device testing, content-loading, post-integration testing, QA, proof-reading, web editor training and ongoing support.

The website design was done by Sue Quigley, and it was my job to extend her desktop designs into the responsive realm, ensuring that the website looked great at any size, and in every device, browser and operating system. Find out more about the MacDiarmid Institute project

Categories: Showcase sites, Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Responsive web design/dev, CSS-based layout, CSS3, HTML5, jQuery/JavaScript, e-govt/WCAG compliance, SilverStripe, Government websites, Large sites

Marlborough Vintners

Website: no longer online
Client: Acumen Republic
Dates: April - July 2017, with ongoing webmaster support until 2022
My professional status: contractor at Acumen Republic

The Marlborough Vintners Hotel (MVH) was a Heritage Collection luxury boutique hotel located amongst the vineyards near Blenheim in the heart of Marlborough wine country. The hotel consisted of 16 one-bedroom suites overlooking vineyards and gardens, together with the on-site Vintners Room Restaurant. Marlborough Vintners Hotel hosted conferences and weddings as well as providing luxury guest accommodation. Their brand management company was Wellington-based firm Acumen Republic.

Acumen asked me to build a responsive WordPress website for MVH, based on an existing WordPress theme in order to save time and keep the costs down. Acumen selected the theme based on MVH's requirements, and I built, content-loaded and tested the website, optimised the photographic imagery supplied by MVH, changed various aspects of the design, and organised webhosting. I also provided Acumen and, later, MVH staff with WordPress training and ongoing webmaster support and website updates.

I tweaked the design to improve some of the responsive functionality as I wasn't completely happy with the layout at various device widths. I made various changes to the design including font selection, colour palette, background graphics and other styling updates. I also incorporated MVH's logo and some brand colours, as well as adjusting the size and style of various headings and sub-headings. Find out more about the Marlborough Vintners project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Webmaster, Responsive web design/dev, CSS-based layout, CSS3, HTML5, WordPress, Small sites

TEAM Asparona

Website: no longer online
Client: James Fowler
Dates: January - April 2017, with ongoing support until 2020
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

TEAM Asparona was a cloud-based Enterprise Information Management (EIM) company. Their main product was an EIM ecosystem called ContentWorX.

TEAM Asparona's in-house IT staff had begun the build of a new responsive themed WordPress website, and they wanted help to get it finished and launched as quickly as possible. Their GM James Fowler contacted me to see if I could help, and between us we came up with a list of tasks to complete within a fixed-price budget and tight timeline.

I was responsible for reviewing the site, migrating it to my WP hosting platform, tidying up the homepage, populating some pages and reformatting others, adding some new sections to the site - and generally preparing it for launch. After the successful launch I sorted out an SSL Certificate for the site so that we could transfer to an https URL. On a day-to-day level James managed the site, but I was always available to help with anything tricky, as required.

I spent some time during the tidying-up process tweaking the existing design to make improvements to the responsive behaviour and look & feel of the site. Find out more about the TEAM Asparona project

Major Consulting

Website: majorconsulting.co.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Shelley Major
Dates: April - December 2016, with ongoing support until December 2018
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

Major Consulting Group (MCG) is a Wellington-based health and safety consultancy working with clients across New Zealand and in Australia in a variety of sectors, making a difference to health, safety and organisational performance. They provide a range of assurance and safety culture audits as well as practical assistance, tailoring enduring health and safety business processes for their clients.

They asked me to quote for a responsive WordPress website, based on an existing theme in order to save time and keep the costs down. Their director and I selected the theme together, based on their requirements, and I built, content-loaded and tested the website, selected all the photographic imagery from iStock, changed various aspects of the design, and organised webhosting. I also provided MCG staff with WordPress training and ongoing support.

I tweaked the design to improve some of the responsive functionality as I wasn't completely happy with the layout at various device widths. I made various changes to the design including font selection, colour palette, background graphics and other styling updates. I also incorporated Major Consulting's logo and some brand colours, as well as adjusting the size and style of various headings and sub-headings. Find out more about the Major Consulting project

Grosvenor KiwiSaver

Website: in-house online forms, not available to the public
Client: Grosvenor KiwiSaver
Dates: October - November 2015
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

Grosvenor Investment Management Limited is one of the Government's official KiwiSaver providers, with a dedicated KiwiSaver website to cater for their 94,000 members. They wanted to prototype a complete online joining/transfer process, which would initially be used by their KiwiSaver advisers, and which could be rolled out to all users on the website at a later date.

They asked me if I could help them to wireframe and design the various pages and screens that would be required (responsive design), and then to build these ready for integration by their in-house developers. The screen design was to be based on the existing website design. I ended up working alongside the developer as we restyled his .asp forms together. Find out more about the Grosvenor KiwiSaver project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Responsive web design/dev, CSS-based layout, CSS3, HTML5, ASP or ASP.NET, E-commerce, Small sites

BookerMartin Comms

Website: no longer online
Client: Frances Martin and Mike Booker
Dates: August - November 2015
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

I met Frances Martin through the webmaster work I did for the Zero Harm website. Frances and her business partner Mike Booker needed a website for their communications company, BookerMartin Communications. They do communications work for both business and government, and wanted a very simple, minimal, responsive website that they could update themselves.

They asked me to quote for a single-page website, based on an existing WordPress theme in order to save time and keep the costs down. Mike and I selected the theme together, based on their requirements, and I built and tested the website and organised webhosting.

I tweaked the design to improve some of the responsive functionality as I wasn't completely happy with the position of some of the breakpoints, and there were also some between-breakpoints layout issues that I wanted to fix. I also tweaked the vertical rhythm of the design, which I didn't think was as smooth as it could be in some places and incorporated BookerMartin's logo and some brand colours, as well as adjusting the size and style of various headings and sub-headings. Find out more about the BookerMartin Comms project

OFLC - info for students

Website: no longer online
Client: Office of Film & Literature Classification
Dates: October 2014 - March 2015 and June-July 2015, with ongoing support after delivery
Government status: Government Agency
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

The OFLC had contracted a young designer to redesign their information for students website which I had originally designed and built for them back in 2010. Following completion of the design, the OFLC team decided that they needed to have a responsive website rather than a static one. I was invited to make the design responsive and then build the new Dreamweaver templates.

I was responsible for client liaison, project proposal and quote, project management, scoping, information architecture, wireframes and schematics, design development, responsive design and development, HTML5, CSS3, LESS, jQuery, e-govt accessibility compliance, QA, client training and ongoing support, content coding, formatting and loading, some content writing and editing (Dreamweaver templates).

My design development work included taking the original files supplied by the designer and extending them in three ways - by refining the layout and placing it within a consistent grid; changing elements of the colour palette so that all colours were fully accessible in terms of colour contrast; and introducing responsivity to all the template designs at a range of breakpoints. Find out more about the OFLC - info for students project

Govt.nz

Website: govt.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Department of Internal Affairs
Dates: December 2013 - June 2014
Government status: Government Department
My professional status: contractor at DIA

Govt.nz is a ground-breaking project run by the Department of Internal Affairs, that seeks to improve the way that government communicates with citizens online. Govt.nz aims to enable visitors to find the government information they are seeking, quickly and easily. It is based on the UK all-of-government website, gov.uk, and both sites are user-focused, with user testing as their foundation.

I was taken on to replace the original designer/front-end developer halfway through the Beta phase. I was responsible for UX research, UX proposal-writing and UX design, responsive web design, responsive front-end development within an instance of the Government's Common Web Platform (CWP), browser and device testing, government web standards accessibility compliance and testing to the very highest level, post-integration testing and QA, attending regular team meetings and doing regular "show and tell" updates for the major stakeholders within DIA. Find out more about the Govt.nz project

Categories: Showcase sites, Client liaison, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Govt web standards tester, Writing for the web, Responsive web design/dev, CSS-based layout, CSS3, HTML5, jQuery/JavaScript, e-govt/WCAG compliance, SilverStripe, Government websites, Medium sites

Hearts n Roses

Website: no longer online
Client: Deborah Harris
Dates: November 2013 - April 2015
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

Deborah Harris made and sold handmade heart pendants and felt the time was right to branch out and put her artwork online. The website needed to be a fully-functioning e-commerce site where she could display and sell the individual heart pendants. She also wanted a weddings section where she could showcase her custom-made bespoke hearts that were made to order to match the flowers and colours chosen by the wedding and bridal party.

I was responsible for client liaison, project management, hosting and Domain name management, scoping, information architecture, site schematics, selection and re-styling of the WordPress e-commerce theme, HTML5, CSS3, LESS, some PHP wrangling, building the skeleton site, testing, CMS training, QA and ongoing support, some content production management, writing and editing, creating product and portfolio graphics.

The final look & feel of the website echoes that of the original theme, but incorporated Deborah's branding, colour palette and new hand-painted logo. Find out more about the Hearts n Roses project

EWRB

Website: ewrb.govt.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Electrical Workers Registration Board and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Dates: July - December 2013
Government status: Government Agency
My professional status: Web consultant with Insight Consultants Ltd

The Electrical Workers Registration Board ensures the competence of electrical and electronic workers. Its work is overseen by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). Their old website was very old and out of date, and Insight Consultants Ltd was invited to design a new site, which was to be built using an instance of the Government's new Common Web Platform (CWP) in SilverStripe as a starting-point.

I was responsible for helping with the initial pitch/quote, wireframing including responsive UX design, and advising the designers how best to design the website within the framework of the CWP. I then developed the design across a range of breakpoints, and built the templates in HTML5 and CSS3 (designing the responsivity in-browser as I built). I was responsible for browser and device testing and was also asked to do a thorough proof-read and QA of the site prior to launch. Find out more about the EWRB project

Co-operative Bank

Website: co-operativebank.co.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Co-operative Bank
Dates: October - December 2012
My professional status: contractor at the Co-operative Bank

The Co-operative Bank was established in 1928 and is the only bank in New Zealand to share its profits with its customers. As a co-operative its main purpose is to create prosperity for its customers, not to create profit for anyone else. The bank has 34 branches throughout the country and around 128,000 customers from all over New Zealand.

The bank's existing website was in need of an update which would tide them over for a few months until they were in a position to carry out a complete overhaul. I was responsible for the HTML, CSS and jQuery and design development for the new design, focusing on the content-driven parts of the website, and partnering with David Harrison from Triptech who was responsible for the online banking pages. Find out more about the Co-operative Bank project

Categories: Client liaison, Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, Responsive web design/dev, CSS-based layout, CSS3, HTML5, jQuery/JavaScript, ASP or ASP.NET, Medium sites

Radio New Zealand

Website: radionz.co.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Radio New Zealand
Dates: October 2012 and February/May 2013
Government status: Crown Entity
My professional status: contractor at Radio New Zealand

Radio New Zealand is a Crown Entity established under the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. It provides listeners with independent radio programmes in accordance with the Radio New Zealand Charter. I had first met Richard Hulse, RadioNZ's webmaster, when we were both up for the same ONYA awards in 2010. The Radio New Zealand website had won both awards, and now that it was in need of an update, Richard decided to ask me to build the templates for him. I was honoured!

I was responsible for the HTML (HTML5), CSS (including CSS3 and LESS) and jQuery for the new design, incorporating a very high level of accessibility compliance into the build. I also did some design development including tweaking the colour palette to make it accessible and designing some templates and elements that weren't included in the original design. I also carried out testing and QA of the completed templates, and a couple of days of additional templating once the web team had begun to integrate their existing content into the new templates. Find out more about the Radio New Zealand project

Categories: Showcase sites, Client liaison, Website designer, Front-end developer, Govt web standards tester, CSS-based layout, CSS3, HTML5, jQuery/JavaScript, e-govt/WCAG compliance, Other CMS, Government websites, Large sites

Kirkaldie & Stains

Website: no longer online
Client: Kirkaldie & Stains
Dates: August - October 2012
My professional status: contractor at Heyday

Kirkcaldie & Stains is an icon of the New Zealand retail industry with a singularly distinctive character, and is renowned for its consistent standards of excellence. The existing website was in need of refurbishment - and the company felt it was time to develop part of the website into an e-commerce Online Store, as well as re-designing their brochure and news content.

Heyday were invited to design and develop the new website, and I was asked to join the team for a few weeks to carry out the front-end development. I was responsible for the HTML (HTML5), CSS (CSS3 and LESS) and some of the jQuery, and also for integrating my new code into SilverStripe, building the CMS's layout and include files which were then programmed by Heyday's Glenn Bautista.

I was also entrusted with putting together a few of the templates using the wireframes as a guide, rather than design, which meant that I did the design myself, based on the existing look & feel, and this was then signed off by the project's designer and project manager. Find out more about the Kirkaldie & Stains project

Categories: Showcase sites, Scoping/pitching/quoting, Website designer, Front-end developer, CSS-based layout, CSS3, HTML5, jQuery/JavaScript, SilverStripe, E-commerce, Large sites

Te Rito Wellington

Website: teritowellington.org.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Te Rito Wellington Family Violence Network
Dates: May - August 2012, with ongoing support until March 2017
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

Te Rito Wellington Family Violence Network is a diverse group of 25 government and non-government organisations working in family violence prevention and service provision. The website uses an existing WordPress theme, re-designed to match the Network's branding.

I was responsible for designing their logo, writing the initial quote, information architecture, site schematics, ongoing project management and client liaison, selection and re-styling of the WordPress theme, CSS, jQuery, some PHP wrangling, webhosting management, building the skeleton site, testing, CMS training, QA and ongoing support - as well as some content production management, writing and editing.

The final look & feel of the website echoes that of the original theme, but incorporates Te Rito's branding, colour palette and new logo. Find out more about the Te Rito Wellington project

Essential Mums

Website: no longer online
Client: Fairfax Media
Dates: January - March 2012
My professional status: contractor at Fairfax Digital

Fairfax Media is the largest integrated metropolitan, rural and regional, magazine and digital media company in Australasia, with publications and websites in every State and the ACT in Australia, and throughout New Zealand.

Essential Mums is an online addition to the Fairfax Media portfolio, and aims to provide expert information, helpful tools, and a community of other mums to help mothers on their parenting journey. I was responsible for information architecture and design/design development throughout the website. This included development of the homepage design, version #1 of which had been completed by Fairfax Digital's in-house designer, followed by design of all other page templates sitewide. Find out more about the Essential Mums project

Categories: Client liaison, IA & UX, Website designer, CSS-based layout, Other CMS, Large sites

MetService Annual Report

Website: no longer online
Client: Meteorological Service of New Zealand
Dates: September-October 2011
Government status: State-Owned Enterprise
My professional status: contractor at Designworks

Designworks had put together the print version of MetService's Annual Report, and needed a digital version to add to the website. They asked me to build a full set of linked web pages which would then be inserted into the standard MetService page template. I was responsible for project management and timelining, design development, HTML/CSS, and e-govt accessibility compliance.

I designed the Corporate governance statement page myself, to reflect the print version layout and match the styling of the rest of the site, as this had not been included in the original design files. Find out more about the MetService Annual Report project

Categories: Project manager, Website designer, Front-end developer, Govt web standards tester, Content-loader, CSS-based layout, e-govt/WCAG compliance, Other CMS, Government websites, Small sites

Wellington Batucada

Website: batucada.org.nz
Client: Wellington Batucada
Dates: July - December 2011 (site build) and ongoing work as the site's webmaster and writer
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

I'm a very proud member of Wellington Batucada, Wellington's community-based street samba band. The band's Director, Tim Cooke - who's also a web designer - provided me with a completely new design for the website, and it was my job to translate that into a standalone WordPress website - and to populate all the pages, editing existing stuff and writing new stuff as necessary.

I was responsible for webhost management, design development - extending Tim's original 3-template design to cover all the page types on the site, HTML/CSS (including some CSS3), jQuery, photo and video archiving, testing, QA, writing and editing. I am the website's webmaster, writing most of the blog posts and gig reviews and sorting out our huge and ever-growing collection of photos and videos. In Phase Two I added a members' only section to the website. Find out more about the Wellington Batucada project

Categories: Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Webmaster, CSS-based layout, CSS3, jQuery/JavaScript, WordPress, Large sites

Snapper

Website: snapper.co.nz
Client: Snapper
Dates: December 2010 - March 2011
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

Snapper is New Zealand's leading contactless payment system and can be used for a wide range of transactions including shopping, taxis and public transport. Registered Snapper users have online access to their Snapper transaction history and current balance.

The Snapper team wanted to upgrade the functionality of the transaction history page, and asked me to design and build a new version with enhanced functionality and ease of use. I was responsible for client liaison, project management, reviewing and refining the information architecture, design, XHTML and CSS, jQuery, testing, QA and ongoing support. Find out more about the Snapper project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, CSS-based layout, jQuery/JavaScript, Other CMS, E-commerce, Small sites

Ann Jasper

Website: no longer online
Client: Ann Jasper
Dates: November 2010, with ongoing support after delivery
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

Ann Jasper was a friend of mine, and an artist who produced beautiful paintings for sale. Her husband Shelley is a graphic/website designer with whom I collaborate on WebWeaver Projects from time to time. Shelley had designed a simple and stylish website for Annie, and it was my job to build the site, content-load it, and find an appealing way to display Annie's paintings in interactive galleries within the site.

I was responsible for client liaison, project management, scoping, extending the information architecture, HTML and CSS, jQuery, building the completed website, content-loading, testing, proof-reading, QA and ongoing support.

I also extended Shelley's website design - including adding a navigation bar and splitting the original single template design into three slightly different templates - for the homepage, news page and individual exhibitions pages. Find out more about the Ann Jasper project

Categories: Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, Webmaster, CSS-based layout, jQuery/JavaScript, No CMS, Small sites

Museums Wellington

Website: museumswellington.org.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Museums Wellington
Dates: July - December 2010, with ongoing support after delivery
Government status: funded by Wellington City Council
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

Museums Wellington are responsible for three Wellington museums - the Museum of Wellington City & Sea, the Cable Car Museum and the Colonial Cottage Museum. Each museum had its own website, none of which matched each other or the new Museums Wellington branding. Their aim was to bring all three museums plus Plimmers Ark under the same umbrella website, and to use their new branding as the basis for the overall site design.

I was responsible for the initial quote, client liaison, project management, scoping, information architecture, HTML and CSS, jQuery, accessibility and e-govt compliance, testing, putting together the skeleton site in SilverStripe, CMS training, QA, HTML emails and ongoing support.

I also extended our designer's original website design - including improving the colour contrast for accessibility, streamlining the number of different templates that would be required, and simplifying the layout grid to improve consistency sitewide. Find out more about the Museums Wellington project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Govt web standards tester, Writing for the web, CSS-based layout, jQuery/JavaScript, e-govt/WCAG compliance, HTML email, SilverStripe, Government websites, Small sites

SPARC HPSD

Website: internal SPARC access only
Client: SPARC (now re-named Sport New Zealand)
Dates: June - October 2010
Government status: Crown Entity
My professional status: contractor at Datacraft

One of SPARC's roles is to support athletes and teams that can win at international level, and the coaches and organisations that are behind them - using their High Performance Sport Database (HPSDB) to administer this.

Datacraft had been asked to redesign and rebuild the HPSD, and I was responsible for doing the information architecture, design and XHTML/CSS for a set of five templates, and then styling, restructuring and bug-fixing a large number of multi-functional screens within the app.

For the design, I began with the existing (and rather lovely) Chrometoaster design from the main SPARC website and adapted this for the HPSDB app. I added the various elements that were unique to the app, again using Chrometoaster's designs as my jumping-off point. Find out more about the SPARC HPSD project

Categories: Client liaison, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Govt web standards tester, CSS-based layout, jQuery/JavaScript, e-govt/WCAG compliance, ASP or ASP.NET, Government websites, Medium sites

Salters Cartage

Website: salters.co.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Salters Cartage
Dates: June - August 2010
My professional status: contractor at Plan A

I was asked by Plan A in Auckland to develop their homepage design into a set of design templates for the new Salters Cartage website, to build these templates and then to put together the finished website, using all-new content which Plan A had written.

I was responsible for the original project proposal and quote, client liaison, project management, scoping, information architecture, design development, HTML and CSS, jQuery, accessibility compliance, building the completed website, content-loading, testing, proof-reading, QA and ongoing support. Find out more about the Salters Cartage project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, CSS-based layout, jQuery/JavaScript, No CMS, Small sites

Save Radio New Zealand

Website: no longer online
Client: Save Radio New Zealand
Dates: February 2010 - September 2017
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

The Save Radio New Zealand website is a companion to the original Facebook group, which reached 20,000 members in a little over a month. It's built using an existing (subtly restyled) WordPress theme. I was responsible for the initial client liaison and project proposal when I first came up with the idea, then project management, scoping, information architecture, selection and restyling of the WordPress theme, webhost management, content-writing, research, content-loading and ongoing support as the website's webmaster. Find out more about the Save Radio New Zealand project

Categories: Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Webmaster, CSS-based layout, WordPress, Small sites

CreditSights Marketing

Website: creditsights.com (site has since been redesigned)
Client: CreditSights
Dates: January - August 2010
My professional status: contractor at Optimation

Optimation were updating the main CreditSights website, and were asked to build a new Marketing site that provides an overview of the company's services for potential subscribers. A design was provided by the same US design company that did the main website, with the XHTML/CSS being built from scratch and integrated into asp.net.

I was responsible for developing the design across all templates, building the XHTML/CSS, bug-fixing and template tweaking. Once I had built the XHTML/CSS templates in Dreamweaver, these were integrated into the .net environment, and any subsequent tweaking was done from within VisualStudio. Find out more about the CreditSights Marketing project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, CSS-based layout, jQuery/JavaScript, ASP or ASP.NET, Large sites

The Beck's List

Website: Facebook app, no longer online
Client: Lion Nathan
Dates: December 2009 - January 2010
My professional status: contractor at Shift

The Beck's List was a Facebook app linked to a 60-day viral campaign. Fans could request free gig tickets sent out as POCKETvoucher text messages, browse gig photos, tag their friends and vote for the best photos and gigs. The app also included a Twitter feed, an iPhone app and a website.

I was responsible for some design consultation at the start of the project, building the templates, some creation of new graphics near the end of the project, plus a small amount of jQuery. I worked closely with the programmer, Tom St George, as the app went through a series of iterations during integration which required many changes to the XHTML and the CSS. Find out more about the The Beck's List project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, CSS-based layout, jQuery/JavaScript, Facebook, Small sites

CreditSights

Website: member-only access
Client: CreditSights
Dates: November 2009 - December 2011
My professional status: contractor at Optimation

CreditSights is an award-winning provider of independent investment research. Their website provides subscribers with coverage of over 750 of the most widely-traded names in the US and European markets. They produce over 300 research reports a month and their archives contain over 100,000 articles.

Optimation was asked to extend the site's functionality at the same time as re-skinning the site - and I was responsible for developing and extending the new design, rebuilding some of the XHTML/CSS, bug-fixing and template tweaking, streamlining some of the backend CMS elements, and re-designing & re-styling various widgets and other elements. The site is built in asp.net, so all of my work was done in VisualStudio within the .net environment, working on already-integrated templates. Find out more about the CreditSights project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, CSS-based layout, jQuery/JavaScript, ASP or ASP.NET, Large sites

Tourism Exchange

Website: no longer online
Client: Tourism Exchange
Dates: January 2009
My professional status: contractor at Origin Design

Tourism Exchange was a real-time marketplace for selling and distributing tourism products and services, and the site provided information for buyers and sellers. My responsibility was to build 6 templates in HTML/CSS and liaise with the CMS integrator in order that they could be easily integrated into the SilverStripe CMS. We also developed the design in areas where additional functionality was required after the design had been completed. Find out more about the Tourism Exchange project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, CSS-based layout, SilverStripe, Small sites

Salvation Army

Website: salvationarmy.org.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Salvation Army
Dates: May - September 2008
My professional status: employee at Shift

The Salvation Army (New Zealand, Fiji & Tonga Territory) wanted a new content-manageable website which would promote the organisation, provide information for people who either needed its help or wanted to join, and also provided homepages for all the Army corps around the country.

During the handover phase from my HTML/CSS to his CMS integration, the programmer and I re-assessed the site and identified additional templates that were required, which I then wireframed, designed and built following the existing site design. Find out more about the Salvation Army project

Categories: IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, CSS-based layout, jQuery/JavaScript, ExpressionEngine, Large sites

NZWood (resources)

Website: nzwood.co.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: NZWood
Dates: April - June and August - September 2008
My professional status: employee at Shift

The NZWood resources site is is the largest in a series of websites for the organisation, and its main focus. It provides wood-related resources, tools, research and case studies for a range of industries that use wood, and could be encouraged to use more.

During the handover phase from my HTML/CSS to his CMS integration, the programmer and I re-assessed the site and identified additional templates that were required, which I then wireframed, designed and built following the existing site design. Find out more about the NZWood (resources) project

Categories: IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, CSS-based layout, ExpressionEngine, Large sites

New Zealand String Quartet

Website: nzsq.co.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: New Zealand String Quartet
Dates: Phase 1: November 2007 - January 2008. Phase 2: July - September 2008. Phase 3: February 2011 - August 2014.
My professional status: employee at Shift (phases 1 & 2), and then independent web designer/developer (phase 3)

The New Zealand String Quartet website was designed by one of Shift's designers who subsequently left to go on his OE. In phase 2 of the project I added a range of new sections and widgets, and was responsible for designing the new pages, templates and widgets myself, as well as integration and WordPress PHP modification. 2½ years later in phase 3 I facilitated another site restructure and then took over ongoing site maintenance and support from Shift. Find out more about the New Zealand String Quartet project

Categories: Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Webmaster, CSS-based layout, WordPress, Medium sites

NZ Cricket Membership App

Website: internal NZC access only
Client: New Zealand Cricket
Dates: May - June 2007
My professional status: employee at Shift

In 2006 Shift developed an online database application for New Zealand Cricket to collect data online and use it effectively. Phase Two of the project involved expanding the application to include player stats, public access to data, and club websites. My job was to create new HTML pages based on those created in Phase One, interpreting the Phase Two schematics to incorporate the application's new functionalities. Design had been done for some of the pages, and my job also included extending and applying this design to the rest of the application. Find out more about the NZ Cricket Membership App project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, CSS-based layout, Large sites

KiwiSaver

Website: kiwisaver.govt.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Inland Revenue
Dates: March - June 2007
Government status: Government Department
My professional status: employee at Shift

Shift designed and built the KiwiSaver website in 2006, and the second phase, which was when I joined the project, was to enable online transactions. My job, together with my colleague Ross Howard, was to style a full set of interactive KiwiSaver portlets with IRD styling and to tweak and bug-fix portlets which had already been integrated into the system. The job entailed working alongside the development team, working directly on the servers at IRD. In addition I built two new static HTML pages, and designed and built a third page. Find out more about the KiwiSaver project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, Govt web standards tester, CSS-based layout, e-govt/WCAG compliance, Other CMS, Government websites, Medium sites

WWF-NZ

Website: wwf.org.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: WWF-New Zealand
Dates: October - November 2006 and July - August 2007
My professional status: employee at Shift

Shift donated some time to the Worldwide Fund for Nature New Zealand (WWF-NZ) in order that we could build them a better website than they could afford. I built a set of 17 templates for the site in HTML and CSS, and felt that the design could do with livening up and beautifying somewhat. I modified and improved the original design and introduced some photographic elements, including the Flash header. Find out more about the WWF-NZ project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, CSS-based layout, Flash, ExpressionEngine, Large sites

Shift

Website: no longer online
Client: Shift
Dates: October - November 2006
My professional status: employee at Shift

Shift's new-look website was a long time coming, mainly because Shifties were always working on somebody else's website! I was part of the team that finally got the chance to complete it and get it online. My job was to project-manage the team and complete the HTML/CSS build of the 10 templates used in the site, using best practice techniques and ensuring that the site met or exceeded e-government accessibility guidelines. I was also responsible for design development of some pages, based on designs already created for other templates. Find out more about the Shift project

Categories: Client liaison, Project manager, Website designer, Front-end developer, Govt web standards tester, Writing for the web, CSS-based layout, e-govt/WCAG compliance, ExpressionEngine, Medium sites

WebWeaver's World

Website: webweaversworld.blogspot.co.nz
Client: me
Dates: May 2006 - present
My professional status: independent web designer/developer

A blog about my passions. May include some or all of the following: geek stuff (web design & development, CSS, accessibility, usability), environmental activism, my adopted home of New Zealand, international & green politics, gardening, cats, literature, rugby, and much more.

It's built in Blogger, and includes some restyling of the original template (Rounders4 by Doug Bowman) - including the integration of a new header and various new text styles - plus a whole bunch of widgets I've picked up along the way. Find out more about the WebWeaver's World project

Categories: Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Webmaster, CSS-based layout, Blogger, Large sites

Biotech launch

Website: not online
Client: CWA New Media
Dates: March 2005
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

CWA's director needed an interactive animation to be used during the launch ceremony for the CWA Biotech Learning Hub. I designed and built the interactive in Flash. I also updated the CWA Learning Landscape websites (online and offline versions) and incorporated links to the Flash animation, and linked the animation from an updated Flash version of the Learning Landscape website. Find out more about the Biotech launch project

Categories: Client liaison, Project manager, Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, Old-school table layout, Flash, Small sites

Healthy Homes

Website: no longer online
Client: Contact Energy
Dates: March 2005
My professional status: contractor at Origin Design

Contact Positive Energy wanted an interactive Flash animation for their Asthma Awareness Week campaign. The design was done in Photoshop and Freehand by Origin Design. It was my job to make it work. I also developed the original artwork to include all the required states and separate images, as they had not all been included in the original design. Find out more about the Healthy Homes project

Categories: Project manager, Website designer, Content-loader, Flash, Small sites

Kiwi Physics

Website: CD-ROM
Client: IPENZ - Institute of Professional Engineers New Zealand
Dates: February - May 2005
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

The Kiwi Physics CD-ROM was aimed at encouraging students to explore a career in physics by showing real-life examples of physics in an entertaining, interactive, educational and fun way. I designed, illustrated and built (in Freehand, Photoshop and Flash) a module which covers the creation, transmission and use of electricity.

In terms of my design, I had to ensure that the style of this module matched the overall style of the CD-ROM, which had already been determined by another designer. Find out more about the Kiwi Physics project

Categories: Website designer, Writing for the web, Flash, CD-ROM, Small sites

MED ISU

Website: no longer online
Client: Ministry of Economic Development
Dates: February - March 2005
Government status: Government Ministry
My professional status: contractor at Origin Design

The design for the new main MED site had been done by Shift, who had also supplied a set of design standards, and had mocked-up a version of a sub-site content page. Origin were asked to extend the design to show how it would be applied to a range of pages in the ISU sub-site. They provided me with a series of wireframes, and I developed the design from that point, and drew up a Photoshop visualisation for each of the page templates. Find out more about the MED ISU project

Categories: Project manager, Website designer, Writing for the web, CSS-based layout, Government websites, Small sites

Ans Westra

Website: no longer online
Client: Ministry of Education
Dates: January 2005
Government status: Government Ministry
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

The Ministry of Education wanted to add a new sub-site to an existing Arts collection within the Te Kite Ipurangi portal website. I designed the site, which was developed as a CSS site within the existing TKI template. Find out more about the Ans Westra project

Categories: Website designer, CSS-based layout, e-govt/WCAG compliance, eZ Publish, Government websites, Small sites

Learning Languages

Website: tki.org.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Ministry of Education
Dates: January 2005
Government status: Government Ministry
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

The Ministry of Education wanted a new design for the Learning Languages series. There were 5 sub-sites in all, which needed to match each other while still retaining some individuality. A homepage was also needed to introduce all of the sub-sites. I designed the site, which was developed as a CSS site within the existing TKI template. Find out more about the Learning Languages project

Categories: Website designer, CSS-based layout, e-govt/WCAG compliance, eZ Publish, Government websites, Small sites

wickED Eat Well

Website: no longer online
Client: Ministry of Education
Dates: January 2005
Government status: Government Ministry
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

The wickED website was aimed at kids and showcased a new theme every month, with activities for the kids to do based on that theme. The artwork featured the three wickeED characters and had to fit in with the existing look and feel of the website. Each theme featured a homepage and two activities pages. The design was simple, straightforward, attractive to kids and easy for them to understand and follow.

The homepage design for this theme had been developed by another CWA designer. I completed the design and then used it as a basis for the activities pages. Find out more about the wickED Eat Well project

Categories: Website designer, Writing for the web, e-govt/WCAG compliance, eZ Publish, Government websites, Small sites

wickED Christmas

Website: no longer online
Client: Ministry of Education
Dates: December 2004
Government status: Government Ministry
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

The wickED website was aimed at kids and showcased a new theme every month, with activities for the kids to do based on that theme. I designed and illustrated the Christmas theme. Find out more about the wickED Christmas project

Categories: Website designer, Writing for the web, e-govt/WCAG compliance, eZ Publish, Government websites, Small sites

asTTle

Website: no longer online
Client: Ministry of Education and University of Auckland
Dates: November 2004
Government status: Government Ministry
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

The Ministry of Education wanted a new design for the updated asTTle site as part of CWA's Te Kete Ipurangi portal website. I used existing printwork of the new asTTle branding as my initial inspiration and created a look and feel which was sympathetic with that branding while adding unique elements of its own. Find out more about the asTTle project

Categories: Website designer, Writing for the web, CSS-based layout, e-govt/WCAG compliance, eZ Publish, Government websites, Small sites

Exemplars - Social Studies

Website: tki.org.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Ministry of Education
Dates: November 2004
Government status: Government Ministry
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

The Social Studies Exemplars website required PDF versions of each exemplar. I made these by transferring the content of each exemplar into a Freehand file and laying out the content in the most efficient way possible, and then exporting the files as PDFs. An important part of the process was extensive proof-reading to ensure that each XHTML page was exactly replicated in the Freehand file. Find out more about the Exemplars - Social Studies project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, CSS-based layout, eZ Publish, Government websites, Medium sites

Exemplars - Health & PE

Website: tki.org.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Ministry of Education
Dates: October - November 2004
Government status: Government Ministry
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

The Health & PE Exemplars website required PDF versions of each exemplar. I made these by transferring the content of each exemplar into a Freehand file and laying out the content in the most efficient way possible, and then exporting the files as PDFs. An important part of the process was extensive proof-reading to ensure that each XHTML page was exactly replicated in the Freehand file. Find out more about the Exemplars - Health & PE project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, CSS-based layout, eZ Publish, Government websites, Medium sites

Gifted & Talented Students

Website: tki.org.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Ministry of Education
Dates: September and November 2004
Government status: Government Ministry
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

This site needed a major update and overhaul, with the addition of an online version of the Minstry of Education handbook Gifted and talented students: Meeting their needs in New Zealand schools, and related online reading material. I designed the site as part of CWA's Te Kete Ipurangi portal website, which was built in XHTML/XML and CSS. I also did some of the development of the new site. Find out more about the Gifted & Talented Students project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, Govt web standards tester, Content-loader, CSS-based layout, e-govt/WCAG compliance, eZ Publish, Government websites, Medium sites

Living Heritage

Website: no longer online
Client: Living Heritage/2020 Communications Trust
Dates: September - October 2004
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

The projects on this site were added by schools using a template. Over time the site had become quite inconsistent, so I did an audit of the online and offline versions and ensured that these were exactly the same. I also tidied up various projects and updated the index pages, extending the existing design to accommodate the new content. Find out more about the Living Heritage project

Categories: Front-end developer, Govt web standards tester, Writing for the web, Content-loader, CSS-based layout, e-govt/WCAG compliance, eZ Publish, Large sites

Gifted & Talented Support

Website: tki.org.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Ministry of Education
Dates: June 2004
Government status: Government Ministry
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

This Key Collection within the Te Kete Ipurangi website portal was aimed at parents and whānau of gifted and talented kids, and was based on the existing printwork from the Ministry of Education. I designed the website, which was developed as a fully CSS site within the existing TKI template. Find out more about the Gifted & Talented Support project

Categories: Website designer, CSS-based layout, e-govt/WCAG compliance, eZ Publish, Government websites, Small sites

Vets Online

Website: not online
Client: Oryx Technologies
Dates: June 2004
My professional status: contractor at Oryx Technologies

The new Vets Online portal needed an elegant logo to liven it up while staying true to the look and feel of the site design. I designed the logo. Find out more about the Vets Online project

Categories: Website designer, Small sites

Scots College Virtual Tour

Website: no longer online
Client: Scots College
Dates: May - June 2004
My professional status: contractor at Oryx Technologies

Scots College wanted a set of Virtual Tours to show to prospective pupils and parents. This would be part of the existing website and follow the established look and feel of the site. I designed and built three Virtual Tours and the section homepage. Find out more about the Scots College Virtual Tour project

Categories: IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Old-school table layout, Small sites

wickED Year of Rice

Website: no longer online
Client: Ministry of Education
Dates: May 2004
Government status: Government Ministry
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

The wickED kids site was given a new theme each month, using the same characters each time with a completely new look and feel. I designed the International Year of Rice theme and created all-new graphics, style and page layout. Find out more about the wickED Year of Rice project

Categories: Website designer, eZ Publish, Government websites, Small sites

Scots College Image Gallery

Website: no longer online
Client: Scots College
Dates: April - May 2004
My professional status: contractor at Oryx Technologies

Scots College needed a number of Image Galleries which would showcase the school and be appreciated by the pupils featured. This would be part of the existing website and follow the established look and feel of the site. I designed and built four Image Galleries and the section homepage. Find out more about the Scots College Image Gallery project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, jQuery/JavaScript, Old-school table layout, Small sites

Transpower

Website: transpower.co.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Transpower
Dates: March - August 2003
Government status: State-Owned Enterprise
My professional status: employee at Origin Design

Transpower wanted a complete redesign of their existing site, which communicated a high level of technically complex and specialist information. I built a series of HTML templates for the new database-driven site, and created a Flash animation for the homepage. I also helped out the busy designer by creating a range of Photoshop layouts for the SMS sub-section of the site following his initial design. Find out more about the Transpower project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, jQuery/JavaScript, Old-school table layout, Flash, Database-driven (pre-CMS)

Seedling Swap

Website: no longer online
Client: Mainland Milk
Dates: March - April 2003
My professional status: employee at Origin Design

This website promoted the annual Meadow Fresh Seedling Swap, when thousands of Kiwi kids swapped empty milk cartons for native tree seedlings. The website motivated kids to take part, and guided them to their nearest Seedling Swap location on the big day. I built and developed/maintained the website and the homepage Flash animations.

I also designed and built the interactive map pages which showed kids where they could go to swap their seedlings, and took responsibility for the design, graphics and layout of event photo pages as we added these to the site, following the design style already developed for the site. Find out more about the Seedling Swap project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, Old-school table layout, Flash, No CMS, Small sites

Rainy Day Boredom Buster

Website: no longer online
Client: Mainland Milk
Dates: March - November 2003
My professional status: employee at Origin Design

Rainy Day was a sub-site of Meadow Fresh's main site, and gave kids many ideas for fun activities to do on a rainy day - both on-line and offline. I was given responsibility for much of the layout of lower levels of the site, and developed the design of these in consultation with the site's original designer. Using my experience as a primary teacher I also wrote and developed new kids' activities for the site. Find out more about the Rainy Day Boredom Buster project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, No CMS, Medium sites

Breakfast with the Stars

Website: no longer online
Client: Mainland Milk
Dates: February - April 2003
My professional status: employee at Origin Design

This was a sub-site of the main Meadow Fresh website and promoted the annual schools' Breakfast with the Stars competition sponsored by Meadow Fresh. I built and developed/maintained the original website, including a Flash animation on the homepage.

I also took responsibility for the design, graphics and layout of event photo pages as we added these to the site, following the design style already developed for the site. Find out more about the Breakfast with the Stars project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, Old-school table layout, Flash, Database-driven (pre-CMS), Medium sites

MTA

Website: mta.org.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Motor Trade Association
Dates: September - November 2002
My professional status: employee at Origin Design

The Motor Trade Association needed a large database-driven website, divided into two parts - public and membership-only. It featured a cartoon character, Bob, who added a human element to the site. I built the templates and created a Flash animation for the homepage, as well as designing many of the pages myself, following the designer's look and feel. Find out more about the MTA project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, jQuery/JavaScript, Old-school table layout, Flash, Database-driven (pre-CMS), Large sites

Ao Kawe Kupu

Website: no longer online
Client: New Zealand Qualifications Authority
Dates: May - August 2002
Government status: Government Agency
My professional status: contractor at Communication Arts

Following the online success of QA News, the client decided to put this bi-monthly printed newsletter onto the NZQA website. The newsletter was partly in English, partly in te reo. I developed the newsletter into a new website format, which I designed to complement the QA News design. Find out more about the Ao Kawe Kupu project

Categories: Client liaison, Project manager, Website designer, Front-end developer, Govt web standards tester, Writing for the web, Content-loader, e-govt/WCAG compliance, Old-school table layout, Government websites, Small sites

ProtectNZ

Website: no longer online
Client: Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries
Dates: August - September 2001. Redesign March 2002
Government status: Government Ministry
My professional status: employee at Origin Design

ProtectNZ wished to provide online Biosecurity information specifically targeted to different user groups. I built a series of templates for the new Biosecurity website, following a design by Origin. The templates were then used to create a fully dynamic website which could easily be updated by the Biosecurity team.

Redesign 2002 - I put together a series of Photoshop files showing a range of possibilities for the new design, following guidelines from the designer. Find out more about the ProtectNZ project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, Govt web standards tester, e-govt/WCAG compliance, Old-school table layout, Database-driven (pre-CMS), Government websites, Medium sites

M-co

Website: m-co.com (site has since been redesigned)
Client: M-co
Dates: July 2001 - November 2003
My professional status: employee at Origin Design

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, Old-school table layout, Flash, Database-driven (pre-CMS)

Icebreaker

Website: icebreaker.co.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Icebreaker
Dates: July 2001 - October 2003
My professional status: employee at Origin Design

The Icebreaker website reflected Origin's ground-breaking graphic design for their clothing catalogue and showcased Icebreaker's new collections. I built and maintained the website, adding the latest collection each season. This required extensive Photoshop work - using images from the printed catalogue (which Origin also created) and creating new display pages for the website, plus popup windows for each item, with all colour variations shown. Find out more about the Icebreaker project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, jQuery/JavaScript, Old-school table layout, No CMS, Medium sites

QA News

Website: no longer online
Client: New Zealand Qualifications Authority
Dates: June 2001 - February 2003
Government status: Government Agency
My professional status: contractor at Communication Arts

QA News is the web version of a quarterly printed newsletter which was seamlessly integrated into the large NZQA website. I translated the newsletter into an existing website format, ensuring that each edition matched the print version exactly. Find out more about the QA News project

Categories: Client liaison, Project manager, Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, Old-school table layout, Government websites, Small sites

Millie Smith

Website: no longer online
Client: Millie Smith
Dates: February - May 2001
My professional status: employee at Origin Design

Origin designed this range of beautiful "paper art" stationery with Geoff Notman illustrations. The website was an integral part of both the branding and the promotion of the range and includes a short Flash intro. I built the website and completed the Flash. I also developed the graphics into animations and rollovers, showing products to their best advantage. Find out more about the Millie Smith project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, jQuery/JavaScript, Old-school table layout, Flash, No CMS, Small sites

Fonterra

Website: fonterra.com (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Fonterra
Dates: January 2001 - July 2002
My professional status: employee at Origin Design

The Fonterra website incorporated a public website (with large archive section), an intranet and a secure extranet (for externally-based contractors) and was updated every week, sometimes every day. I built, developed, managed and maintained the website which went through two complete redesigns before Fonterra took the project in-house. I was responsible for the layout design of all lower-level pages. Find out more about the Fonterra project

Categories: Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, Webmaster, Old-school table layout, No CMS, Large sites

Nathaniel Centre

Website: nathaniel.org.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Caritas NZ
Dates: July - August 2000
My professional status: contractor at Base Two

The Nathaniel Centre wanted a design for a Bioethics website which was calm, informative and reassuring. I extended an existing design prototype (based on print design for the Centre), and built the site. Find out more about the Nathaniel Centre project

Categories: IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, jQuery/JavaScript, Old-school table layout, No CMS, Small sites

Tracks are for Trains

Website: no longer online
Client: TranzRail
Dates: April - May 2000
My professional status: contractor at Base Two

This website was aimed at children, included games, information and quizzes, and taught them to stay away from the dangers of train tracks. I developed the design from a prototype and built the site. Find out more about the Tracks are for Trains project

Categories: Client liaison, Project manager, Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, jQuery/JavaScript, Old-school table layout, No CMS, Small sites

Chatham Islands II

Website: no longer online
Client: Chatham Island Millennium Committee
Dates: March - July 1999
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

This website provided information about the Chatham Islands' millennium celebrations. The colours reflect the dawn of a new century, exemplified by the sunrise animation on the homepage, which I built using Bryce 3D animation software. I developed the design from a prototype homepage and built the site. Find out more about the Chatham Islands II project

Categories: Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, jQuery/JavaScript, Old-school table layout, No CMS, Small sites

Chatham Islands I

Website: no longer online
Client: Chatham Island Millennium Committee
Dates: March - July 1999
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

The site's main aim was to ensure that visitors had pre-booked their accommodation before they visited the Chathams. I developed the design from a prototype and built this award-winning website in a style which represented the clean green environmental nature of the Chathams, as well as reflecting the island's rich Moriori heritage. Find out more about the Chatham Islands I project

Categories: Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, jQuery/JavaScript, Old-school table layout, No CMS, Small sites

Te Puna

Website: no longer online
Client: National Library of New Zealand
Dates: March - July 1999
Government status: Government Agency
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

The National Library wanted a user-friendly gateway into the Library's Te Puna search databases, which I co-designed and built, and which was used by librarians across the country. My job also included facilitating the information flow between all the parties involved in the project and ensuring that their different needs were met, as well as advising them on technical issues. Some design elements (headers and buttons) had already been completed when I took over the site, and I extended the design from that starting-point. Find out more about the Te Puna project

Categories: Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, Old-school table layout, Database-driven (pre-CMS), Government websites, Small sites

Kiwi Recovery Programme

Website: kiwirecovery.org.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Department of Conservation, Bank of New Zealand (sponsors), and Forest & Bird
Dates: January 1998 - October 1999
Government status: Government Department
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media and then independent web designer/developer

This was a join initiative between DoC, the Bank of New Zealand (who sponsor the programme) and Forest & Bird. I built and maintained this multi-award-winning framed website, with considerable design freedom in deeper levels of the site. Later I suggested areas within the site that could be developed, all of which I then researched, wrote, designed and built. Find out more about the Kiwi Recovery Programme project

NZ Olympic Committee

Website: olympic.org.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: NZ Olympic Committee
Dates: January - June 1998
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

The New Zealand Olympic Committee wanted a new website online in time for the Nagano Winter Olympics. I built and maintained this award-winning site once the design was completed by another member of the CWA team. In addition I was given the chance to develop the design in the deeper levels of the site. I also undertook daily updating which was required within a very tight timeline during the Nagano games. Find out more about the NZ Olympic Committee project

Categories: Project manager, Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, Webmaster, Old-school table layout, No CMS, Medium sites

Whitireia Polytechnic

Website: whitireia.ac.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Whitireia Polytechnic
Dates: December 1997 - March 1998
Government status: Crown-Owned Tertiary Education Institution
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

Whitireia wanted to showcase the courses offered by the Polytechnic. I built this award-winning site once the design was complete. My work included development of the site into deeper information-rich levels, and development of the design within these levels. Find out more about the Whitireia Polytechnic project

Categories: Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, Old-school table layout, No CMS, Government websites, Medium sites

British Council

Website: britishcouncil.org.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: The British Council
Dates: June 1997 - May 1998
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

The British Council required that its websites around the world adhere to the standard British Council website design, according to strictly-specified design guidelines and templates. I built and regularly updated the New Zealand version. I also developed of The Link section using my own design, in keeping with the rest of the site. Find out more about the British Council project

Categories: Client liaison, Project manager, Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, Webmaster, Old-school table layout, No CMS, Medium sites

Hillary Commission

EWI

Website: ewi.org.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Education Wellington International
Dates: November 1996
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

EWI was aimed at overseas students and covered a range of information about education providers in Wellington. I designed and built the site in a day, with the help of another CWA designer. Find out more about the EWI project

Categories: Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, Old-school table layout, No CMS, Small sites

Advising the designer on the best way to design this site

EWRB

Licensed Building Practitioners

Website: lbp.govt.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Building Practitioners Board and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Dates: April - May 2013
Government status: Government Agency
My professional status: Web consultant with Insight Consultants Ltd

Insight Consultants Ltd was invited to design a new website for Licensed Building Practitioners, supported by MBIE. The website was to be part of the much larger business.govt.nz website, built in Plone, and the design was restricted by the requirements and capabilities of this larger site.

I was responsible for helping with the initial pitch and then working through user testing, sitemapping and wireframing with them. I also advised the Insight designers on how best to tackle the modular and restrictive nature of the Plone infrastructure while still bringing a level of BPB branding and styling to the design. Find out more about the Licensed Building Practitioners project

Categories: Scoping/pitching/quoting, Client liaison, IA & UX, Website designer, Plone, Government websites, Medium sites

Tourism NZ intranet

Website: intranet
Client: Tourism New Zealand
Dates: February - June 2007
Government status: part of the Ministry of Tourism
My professional status: employee at Shift

Shift had an ongoing relationship with Tourism New Zealand, which resulted in four Webby nominations and two Webby awards in four years. In addition to the TNZ website, Shift also provided the TNZ team with an intranet, run on the Shado CMS. TNZ wanted a new look and feel for their intranet in four different colourways, while retaining the existing HTML and CMS as far as possible. My job was to re-skin a number of the master templates, by changing the CSS, rebuilding the header and footer HTML, and building an entirely new homepage.

At the start of the project I carried out an assessment of the existing TNZ intranet templates from a design/CSS point of view, to give the designer a clear indication of what could be changed using CSS only. Find out more about the Tourism NZ intranet project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, Govt web standards tester, Writing for the web, CSS-based layout, e-govt/WCAG compliance, Shado, Medium sites

Buy Kiwi Made

Website: buykiwimade.govt.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Ministry of Economic Development
Dates: December 2006 - February 2007
Government status: Government Ministry
My professional status: employee at Shift

The Ministry of Economic Development wanted a set of template pages for the new Buy Kiwi Made website, using existing HTML pages from the MED website. My job was to assess the existing HTML/CSS in order to provide guidelines for our designer, re-skin the HTML pages by changing the CSS to create the Buy Kiwi Made site, and build a number of new templates using the existing HTML as a starting-point. The templates were then handed back to the MED in-house CMS team for re-integration into their content management system. Find out more about the Buy Kiwi Made project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, Govt web standards tester, CSS-based layout, e-govt/WCAG compliance, Other CMS, Government websites, Medium sites

New Zealand Police

Website: police.govt.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: New Zealand Police
Dates: December 2006
Government status: Government Agency
My professional status: employee at Shift

The New Zealand Police wanted to re-vamp their website without having to change much of the existing HTML. My job was to re-skin the site, as far as possible altering the CSS only. I also built a new homepage based on the existing HTML and navigation elements in the rest of the site, and, having examined the existing HTML and CSS, advised the designer on which visual elements could be changed using CSS only, and which could not. Find out more about the New Zealand Police project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, Govt web standards tester, CSS-based layout, e-govt/WCAG compliance, Other CMS, Government websites, Large sites

CHR

Website: chranz.co.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Centre for Housing Research
Dates: November 2003
Government status: part of Housing New Zealand Corporation (a Government Agency)
My professional status: employee at Origin Design

The CHR website reflects the new branding and printwork designed by Origin, and presents information-rich pages in a straightforward and logical manner. I advised the designer on web design strategies and built the site. Find out more about the CHR project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, Old-school table layout, No CMS, Government websites, Small sites

Chef Search

Website: no longer online
Client: Ninox Films
Dates: October 2003
My professional status: employee at Origin Design

The recipient of the prestigious Gordon Ramsay Scholarship was chosen by means of a culinary competition. This website was designed both as a means of publicising the scholarship itself, and also as a place where contestants could enter the competition. I advised the designer on web design strategies and built and content-loaded the website. Find out more about the Chef Search project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, Content-loader, jQuery/JavaScript, Old-school table layout, No CMS, Small sites

The Carpenter Project

Website: no longer online
Client: The Carpenter Project
Dates: February - March 2003
My professional status: employee at Origin Design

The Carpenter Project was raising funds to build the new church of St Josephs in Mt Victoria, Wellington. An integral part was the use of the website as a fundraising tool. The design of the site reflected the elegance, beauty and simplicity of the design for the church itself. I advised the designer on the best way to approach the design and then built the website. Find out more about the The Carpenter Project project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, jQuery/JavaScript, Old-school table layout, No CMS, Small sites

ProtectNZ

ProtectNZ wished to provide online Biosecurity information specifically targeted to different user groups. My first task was advising the designer on the best ways to design for the web. I then built a series of templates for the new Biosecurity website, following the new design. The templates were then used to create a fully dynamic website which could easily be updated by the Biosecurity team. Find out more about the ProtectNZ project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, Govt web standards tester, e-govt/WCAG compliance, Old-school table layout, Database-driven (pre-CMS), Government websites, Medium sites

King & Small

Website: no longer online
Client: King & Small Consultancy
Dates: May - June 2001
My professional status: employee at Origin Design

Murray King & Francis Small wanted a simple and elegant site to attract new clients. I built the website following a design by Origin, and advised the designer on the best layouts to use. Find out more about the King & Small project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, jQuery/JavaScript, Old-school table layout, No CMS, Small sites

Millie Smith

Website: no longer online
Client: Millie Smith
Dates: February - May 2001
My professional status: employee at Origin Design

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, jQuery/JavaScript, Old-school table layout, Flash, No CMS, Small sites

Contact Energy

Website: mycontact.co.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Contact Energy
Dates: January - July 2001
My professional status: employee at Origin Design

Contact was a large database-driven business-to-consumer website and was fully integrated with the company's billing systems. I built the templates in highly robust HTML which were used by the programming team to build the website itself. Each template was complex, including large amounts of navigation and functionality, as well as being content-rich. I also advised Origin designers on the technical aspects of the site, having spent time meeting with the programmers at Contact. Find out more about the Contact Energy project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, Writing for the web, jQuery/JavaScript, Old-school table layout, Database-driven (pre-CMS), E-commerce, Large sites

Ministry of Transport (2001)

Website: mot.govt.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Ministry of Transport
Dates: January - April 2001
Government status: Government Ministry
My professional status: contractor at Origin Design

The Ministry of Transport needed an accessible website which would house a large amount of information and which could disseminate that information easily. I built the site following an existing Origin design, and advised the team on the technicalities of designing for the web. I also sourced, integrated and programmed an effective search engine for the site. Find out more about the Ministry of Transport (2001) project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, Govt web standards tester, Content-loader, jQuery/JavaScript, e-govt/WCAG compliance, Old-school table layout, No CMS, Government websites, Medium sites

Ground Zero

Website: no longer online
Client: Ground Zero
Dates: November 2000
My professional status: contractor at Mission Hall

Ground Zero was the first web design project for one of Mission Hall's designers. I assisted in the completion of the website. Find out more about the Ground Zero project

Categories: Client liaison, Project manager, Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, jQuery/JavaScript, Old-school table layout, No CMS, Small sites

VUW Graduate School

Website: vuw.ac.nz/sog (site has since been redesigned)
Client: Victoria University Wellington
Dates: September - October 2000
Government status: Government Agency
My professional status: contractor at Mission Hall

Victoria University had developed their very large website around a Visual Basic web-based publishing solution designed for use by VUW staff. I built a new subsite for the Graduate School, following the design created by Mission Hall. This involved creating highly robust templates for pages which became part of the publishing solution.

I also developed an efficient working process with the Mission Hall designer who was inexperienced in producing design for HTML. At the end of the project I ran a seminar for Mission Hall staff to enable them to design more effectively for the web, and to work more efficiently with web developers. Find out more about the VUW Graduate School project

Categories: Website designer, Front-end developer, Content-loader, jQuery/JavaScript, Old-school table layout, Database-driven (pre-CMS), Government websites, Medium sites

Te Rauparaha

Website: tki.org.nz (site has since been redesigned)
Client: National Library of New Zealand, Ngati Toa, and Ministry of Education
Dates: March - July 1999
Government status: Government Agency and Government Ministry
My professional status: contractor at CWA New Media

The National Library wanted to develop their te reo online education resources, and chose the story of Te Rauparaha to begin. I designed the architecture and oversaw the development of this site, which used the taonga of the Turnbull Collection to illustrate the story.

Part of my work was brainstorming 3 design concepts with CWA team and presenting these to the client, the development of the selected concept with designer, the development of the navigation and architecture concept utilising frames, and overseeing the work of designer/developer. Find out more about the Te Rauparaha project

Categories: Client liaison, Project manager, IA & UX, Website designer, Writing for the web, Old-school table layout, eZ Publish, Government websites, Medium sites