One accomplishment during my term as president of AIGA Upstate New York was to re-establish new methods of communication using the internet. Along with Debi Bower, Web Chair, I designed and assisted with the re-skinning the web site. The back-end of the site is provided by AIGA and each chapter has the ability to change it to appropriately brand it to their chapter.
One important addition to the web site is the rotating banners showcasing work from our members. It is inspired by the AIGA.ORG web site which includes images from the AIGA Archives.

It is said that you need to create a “niche” market for your business, something that I do a lot of and enjoy every minute of it is creating web site portfolios for artists. I have a great network of artist friends, most of these are glass artists. Since I am married to one, the ability to have access to them is easy, they are all top notch people and the work they make is absolutely brilliant.

This time I was able to work with world renowned glass casting artist, Anna Boothe. Anna came to me for some updates on a static web site that was cumbersome to edit. I proposed to her a solution that would allow her to update her own imagery, resume and news. That sold her on the idea to graduate to the next level of web technology to improve her self marketing and ability to keep her fans informed of new work and upcoming casting workshops.  It was a great joy working with Anna. Next, we have to get a site for her husband Steve!

We were able to solve the functional problems of the previous web site and keep within her budget by capitalizing on previous experience building these types of web sites using WordPress. This theme is a custom WordPress theme that allows a unique design for this project.

This site is a composite of technologies. The core of it is a WordPress CMS that allows editing to much of the content on the web site. There is a little bit of Adobe Flash to create simple transitions in the banners. The photo galleries are created with the wordpress plug-in: NextGen Gallery in the CMS. The images appear as “pop-ups” from the gallery that include a slideshow from a technology called “Lightview” using the Lightview Plus Plug-in.

The other thing that was mentioned for future additions to the web site would be ability to add an eCommerce section. WordPress will provide us with the opportunity to do this quite easily. It will be added with WP e-Commerce plugin.

If you are an artist and would like to build a web site that you can manage, contact me!

>>View Anna Boothe Web Site

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It is always nice to work with an artist who is interested in keeping it simple and letting there work shine. The work of Drew Smith is a smart combination of glass, metal and whatever else he finds appropriate to complete his pieces.

Even on a low budget, WILLY BE GOOD uses available technology that will assist in establishing a rapid web presence and allow the artist to communicate with his visitors through news updates. The site is HTML/CSS with a WordPress CMS.

I love keeping it simple.

http://www.willybegood.com

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A recent client I have been working with is Dr. John D. Perovich. Dr. Perovich is located in Utah. Yes, even though he lives on the other side of the country. We have been able to effectively create a new visual brand for his group. The first of the multi level design project to be completed is his web site.

It is a clean and informative site that is HTML/CSS based using a WordPress CMS to edit existing content and provide opportunities for future phases of site development.

http://centerforgrowthandpotential.com/

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Each month, Max Rochester publishes a summary of activities and offerings at all of their locations. We have been having success with keeping the Max Brand in front of their subscribers. The number of opens and subscribers continues to increase each month. There has also been an increase in the sales!

View some of our past emails:
JULY 2009
JUNE 2009
MAY 2009

Last year I was very involved in the South Wedge Farmers’ Market. I managed a bunch of media things: Web Site, Signage, Emails… In that time I created a great friendship with the couple who organize it: Chris and Vicki Hartman.

Chris approached me in February 2009 to help him develop a business project that has spun out of the success of the SWFM. It is a Community Supported Agriculture for Rochester, New York with farmers who are using organic practices or are certified organic. He is calling it the: GOOD FOOD COLLECTIVE.

I have worked with him on many aspects of the process, including, logo design, conceptual work flow of registration, establishing ecommerce capabilities and email campaigns. This is the web site design for the project. A clean and custom solution on from a bootstraping business.

See the project here: GOOD FOOD COLLECTIVE

This is a group of local professionals who organize an annual disco party. It is a benefit for Boys and Girls Club.

The web site is HTML/CSS with a WordPress Content Management System for them to update content. One day they will get someone to update… besides me!

>>VIEW UGLY DISCO WEB SITE

Each week, during the market season, I would work with the SWFM to send out an informative update to 700+ subscribers. The template created is populated using the wordpress CMS for the web site. This gives the market managers the ability to add and edit content in the email.

This is a project that evolved out of the South Wedge Farmers’ Market. It is a monthly email campaign that goes out to over 700 people.

I have been working with a great group of local folks in planning this event. We have pulled together some money from 5 groups and have a great theater that will show the film for free.

The following organizations believe Rochester has a vibrant creative scene. We pulled together to demonstrate our commitment to creativity and cross-disciplinary exchange. Please come out and show your support for your community with other beautiful losers.

• The LITTLE
• AIGA – Upstate New York
• ArtAwake
• Rochester Artech 2009 Digital Art Exhibition
• RAF
• second storie}

My role in the project has been organizing and design/program/host the site which functions as a homebase to direct people for registration. http://www.beautifullosersrochester.org/