Websites these days are more relevant than ever. With online advertising, SEO and the ability to link through social media. Websites are playing the key role in business relationships and brand building. Finding the right developer to build your site will leave you with someone who understands and focuses on the varying nuances.

The World Wide Web and designing and developing sites has evolved at different paces throughout it’s existence.

For example, when I was just a Graphic Designer, I knew nothing about web related media. Being the tech nut that I am and understanding the power of the web. I had to evolve beyond just design and venture into web related languages (HTML, CSS, PHP, javascript, jQuery, Action Script, etc.) and how design for these platforms.

Early on, it was basically static, table based design combined with HTML and CSS. In the late 2000’s, it started to evolve quickly on varying degrees. We had Action Script (AS, AS2 and AS3), a very powerful, object oriented, animation language otherwise known as Flash. Yup, that Flash, the one killed by Apple and HTML5. We had more powerful CSS and HTML which equated to media queries and responsive designs that were div based. And for a few years, this new way of developing hit a reset on the previous ways of designing for varying devices and browsers.

And while all of this was happening, slowly creeping in from the shadows were the Content Management Systems. Most notably WordPress. You see, all of the other website development methods required tons of coding that combined standard semantics with custom code. The Content Management Systems are stored in a database (SQL), they provide pre-built themes and remove A LOT of the knowledge one SHOULD know in order to develop site. On the other hand, it does free up time to focus on more creative, aesthetically pleasing layouts. While focusing on the nuances that still exist and well, getting you a final product with smaller lead times.

My point here is yes, while many developers understand the flow of Content Management Systems and can provide you a satisfactory, out of the box site. The more experience and knowledgeable developers will be able to provide you with a site that can be tweaked, customized and catered to your needs.

Graphic Design is where all of your beautiful images and great content come together. To brand your business aesthetically, while educating the end user about who you are. Graphic Designers are who you’ll need to bring it all together. Graphic Design is where all of your beautiful images and great content come together. To brand your business aesthetically, while educating the end user about who you are. Graphic Designers are who you’ll need to bring it all together. It’s a big world with Graphic Designers and they come with varying degrees of skill sets.

 

Let me give you a brief explanation. When I began in early 2000, I was designing mostly for print materials. I learned the software, sizes, proper printing formats, varying file types and where each works best. I had to learn the fundamentals of print advertising, how to arrange information to maximize end user engagement. While making it aesthetically pleasing. We’re talking flyers, catalogs, business cards, trade show collateral etc.

I knew nothing about how to setup artwork for large scale media like signs, billboards, vehicle wraps. I had very little knowledge of proper setup for the websites or advertising on Google or Social Media.

That’s all changed now, as I have evolved into a more dynamic designer. I now have a very deep knowledge of how Graphic Design and websites work together. I can now build animated or video ads for Google and Social Media. I worked in an environment where I had to design large scale print for signs, billboards and even vehicle vinyl wraps.

So sure, there are many Graphic Designers out there who are very creative and skilled with their tools. That however, does not always equate to that Graphic Designer having a broad knowledge and understanding of the many different types of design and setup.

<h1><span style=”color: #ff6600;”>How to Make the Right Choice.</span></h1> <h1><span style=”color: #ff6600;”>How to Make the Right Choice.</span></h1> There are many services related to the digital media world. How do you make the right choice? How many times have you been solicited for Google, SEO, web or graphic design services? How many times have you heard other talk about the confusion with social media and their advertising platforms? Hopefully I can help you to put some clarity to this and help you to make the right choice. Not just financially, but for a peace of mind. I began as a graphic artist, evolved into the web world, SEO, and online advertising. Which, oddly enough, if you’re a business who is looking to start from scratch or find a starting point. The order above is close to the order you’d want to start building out your materials. Check out my basic overview of each and how they interact with each other. Understanding this basic information can take you a long ways when you need to make the right choice.