I'm pretty fond of pixels and jquery

  • Gunzzini Kitchens

    visit this website
    • The challenge:

      despite creating award winning kitchens, Gunzzini Kitchens had no web presence, either to engage with their clients, or show their work.

    • The solution:

      Show off their great photos via magazine style format. Pin down succinct site structure and copy to reinforce key values of client. Develop the CMS to be as simple as possible for the client to use. They’re too busy making kitchens to fluff around online.

    • What went well:

      Despite having to completely redesign part way though, I was able to do this and still come in on budget.

    • What didn't:

      There was quite a difference between I had intended the site to be, and what it ended up becoming.

  • Hospice Whanganui

    visit this website
    • The challenge:

      My understanding, like many, was hospice is a place to go and die. In reality, 80% of what hospice does is in the community. How do you show this, educate and engage the community? How do you engage a younger generation of donors?

    • The solution:

      Primarily: involve people. Let the people tell their own stories; the patients, the nurses, the volunteers, the families. make things simpler, not harder. Engage the community, create fundraisers, events, encourage donations.

      The site should make things simpler, not harder. I worked hard to achieve that. Once example: rich emails mean vetting comments becomes a click of a button, approve or disapprove.

    • What went well:

      The ability to submit everyone’s own experience of hospice in their own words. These stories provide a more emotional and intimate view than anything I could write.

    • What didn't:

      The success of the community aspects requires adoption by the larger community. They need to knows about it. Staff running the site may not be switched in to best promote it

  • Axiam Ltd

    visit this website
    • The challenge:

      Axiam’s old site was amazing. I think it originated in the 90s. Super old, out of date, couldn’t be updated. The company had changed & unified. They wanted to show industry leading skill and ability.

    • The solution:

      Put them in charge, implement a powerful but simple CMS (thanks Perch).

      What’s a great way to show skill and ability? Case studies of great work.

      Provide structured content (for noobs and industry pros). Users come in with differing needs, structure your content to match.

    • What went well:

      Template based, with as little reliance on presentational images as possible, content and structure controlled by the CMS. If Axiam wants a minor or major site restructure, they can.

    • What didn't:

      Not many. I wanted photos of more people, Axiam wanted only shiny components. How hard do you push when opinions differ? I guess I don’t know, most of the photos are shiny components…

  • Kaitiaki Restoration

    visit this website
    • The challenge:

      Originally a branch of a larger company, Kaitiaki Restoration had struck out on their own. They needed to convey that, what they do, and how they do it.

    • The solution:

      I structured the site around their skills & experience, and how these elements interact. ‘Areas of expertise’ identify which fields of work they are used in, and vice-versa, building a bigger picture of how the company operates. Subcontracting the design work meant I could focus on project management, site planning and development.

    • What went well:

      I had the opportunity to work with Helen, who had worked on Kaitiaki’s branding and collateral. Keen to try some web design, coaching her through the process was really rewarding. Learn and share.

    • What didn't:

      Hmm… Not much, it was pretty smooth running. Perhaps the spatial translation when showing clients a wire-frame of a site. It’s not always clear how boxes on a page reflect an actual website. CSS greybox wire-framing!

  • Craig Winton

    visit this website
    • The challenge:

      New Zealand jeweller Craig Winton needed to expose his work to a greater audience. He really does, because he makes great stuff. In fact, go and check it out. No rush, I’ll still be here when you get back.

    • The solution:

      Streamline and simplify managing a website. CMS based, upload a photo, it’ll be resized correctly. Leave a detail field blank, it won’t appear. No rush, no fuss. A website should work for you, not you for it.

    • What went well:

      Learning jewellery making. We agreed to swap some design time for jewellery tuition. This has led me in some exciting new directions (link to made stuff)

    • What didn't:

      Not a downside, but a future step: integrate online purchasing. However, the issue will be to reach a solution that works for Craig.