Portfolio

Kahn Lucas Corporate & Brand Websites

• Site: http://www.kahnlucas.com
• Goal: Create a unified appearance to all brand sites and a traditional, classic feel to the corporate site
• Technologies: CSS, HTML, PHP
• Created simple, easy-to-use informational websites focused on product and retail shopping
• Optimized existing websites for improved search engine rankings and browser compatability
• Track and analyze all website statistics to continually make improvements

Freelance

• Site: http://www.stylin-studio.com
• Goal: Create a simple and sleek informational website for a small-town beauty salon
• Technologies: CSS, HTML
• Meshed the design with client's boutique style

Freelance

• Site: http://www.livinglifebodywork.com
• Goal: Create a relaxing web presence for a massage therapist
• Technologies: CSS, HTML
• Revamped pre-existing site with a more sophisticated appeal

ComSci Corporate Site

• Site: http://www.comsci.com
• Maintained all website updates such as press releases, event information and news
• Recreated print images to fit into the website
• Implemented new layout and navigation content

Technology Financial Management (TFM)

• Technology Financial Management (TFM) is a web-based application providing cost, line, wireless, and other telecommunication-oriented information for corporations.
• The application is a mix of searches, forms, and dynamically generated reports. There are numerous MS SQL databases that are integrated into the entire PHP-based website. The forms use PHP, Javascript and AJAX to implement validations thus reducing the chance of user error.
• The reports generated are comprised of monthly call data, sometimes up to 9 million monthly records. These records are broken up into departments, companies, employees, etc and can be compared from month to month. Due to the sensitivity of the data, there are many security features implemented using sha-encryption and both PHP and Javascript checks.
• The user-interface is a balance to keep the navigation light while leaving the rest of the space for the very large reports. The navigation uses CSS drop down menus to keep the various report sections separated yet still organized. Also, every single aspect of the website is dynamic so one set of files will affect every client. There are little to no client-specific aspects of the application.
• A demo of the application is not available online.

Sircon

• Producer Express is a web-based application to turn the long process of becoming an insurance agent into an electronic, instant procedure.
• All forms are created mixing HTML, CSS, and java allowing the user to input their personal information. This information is then dynamically filled into the same fields in other forms. Once completed, each form is then turned into a dynamically generated PDF which is then electronically signed, emailed and/or printed.
• The PDFs used XML to assign properties to each form field so the correct information will be completed from the HTML forms. Javascript and AJAX verifications were used on the forms to help reduce user error with password restrictions and email validations.
• Due to legalities, every web-based form had to be an exact replica of the hard-copy form, making it absolutely necessary to pay attention to all the details. Also, the application is used by non-technical users so a simple user-interface was key. As well, the technology used varied by large, making implementing standards a high priority to reduce the chance of viewing problems and browser bugs.
• A demo of the application is not available online.

Freelance

• Site:http://www.dewgames.com
• Goal: Create an updated look for a games site
• Technologies: CSS, HTML
• Separated content from design and added images to draw appeal
• Spoke with client to incorporate original design elements into redesign

Michigan State University

• Publications: Chemoprevention... [PDF] and Cholecalciferol... [PDF]
• Goal: To enhance digital microscope images for print in scientific journals while maintaining accuracy, readability, and integrity
• Technologies: Photoshop, Excel, Illustrator
• Worked with researchers to ensure correct representation of images
• Proofread papers for grammar and sense pre-publication
• Ensured that each figure coincided with its caption
• Communicated with lab director during the paper submission process

Michigan State University

• Site: http://www.ceoninfo.org
• Goal: To present background to other organizations to recruit sponsors for further growth
• Technologies: HTML, CSS, Javascript, Photoshop
• Designed informational website for new Arctic international organization
• Combined graphic features with web usability to create efficiency and attractiveness
• Met with client numerous times to discuss content, layout and images
• Worked with client to create logos and graphics
• Communicated with Arctic scientists to request content

Michigan State University
The challenge was to turn an eight-year old published Funding Guide into a massive Arctic funding website. The organization (IASC) wanted a flexible and updateable funding resource that can be quickly changed and immediately added to without having to publish a text every year.
Because there is so much information and text, I made the design simple with few distracting images. All words are text, which is especially important because the website has a large international audience. Keeping images in text form is necessary for web-based translation sites to be able to translate all aspects of the website.
Also, different versions of hardware and software are used throughout the world, making a simple static-HTML site the most accessible for all. The content was found through manual web searching of Arctic and funding organizations.
In addition, several emails were sent to Arctic scientists asking for content and design suggestions. I worked with an international team who corresponded via email weekly.

• Site: http://www.arcticsciencefunding.org
• Goal: Transform yearly publishing to dynamic website with an internationally accessible interface
• Technologies: HTML, CSS, Photoshop
• Discussed thoughts and ideas with client
• Created simple design and layout using tables for structure and CSS for style
• Presented website demo at an international conference for organization approval
• Collaborated with the clients on design and content
• Searched for organizations and paraphrased information to create summarized text.
• Setup the domain name and hosting services

Michigan State University

When I was introduced to the website, there was little consistency and only several pages. I came up with several ideas during my first few weeks of work. The lab agreed on the layout depicted and I was then set to meet with them with discussions on content.
All products of the lab were digitized and placed on the website. The website was tested and works correctly in all browsers, including Netscape 4.0. However, due to the graphical nav bar and fixed width size, the usability factor was small since it took longer than it should to load on a 56.6k modem. I was not completely aware of all aspects of usability at this time.

2001

• Goal: Give the website a consistent design with updated content
• Technologies: CSS, HTML, Access, ASP
• Created design and layout on the basis of older version.
• Met with lab personnel.
• Modified the existing website. Gave the site a complete make-over with the use of tables and a Fireworks 3.0 navigational image bar.
• Converted PDF files into multiple HTML pages. Scanned dozens of images for the photo gallery.

I took the initiative to redesign the website, while leaving most of the content in tact. I used the knowledge that I had gained over the past two years regarding usability and CSS to create a friendlier version of the site.

I removed tables that were used for layout purposes and replaced them with more efficient structural HTML and/or CSS attributes. I converted the image header and navigation bar into text, using CSS to keep the colors and rollovers the same.

I used a flexible width layout to maximize usability issues concerning screen resolution. The result is an easier to look at, easier to use, and faster website. However, the general design of the website remained consistent as to not stun frequent users.

2003

• Goal: Update the design with usability and accessibility in mind
• Redesigned the structure of the website leaving the content alone.
• Implemented CSS style sheets instead of tables and removed extraneous images.
• Reduced file size by 50% on all pages.