<DEVELOP>design
san antonio based front-end web development and graphic design by ben g thompson
Latest Work
SuperFunCave.com
Open Project css3, ecommerce, html5, jquery, lemonstand, php, sql, websiteExtelligenceServices.com
Open Project css3, html5, jquery, php, sql, websiteNorwegian-Family.com
Open Project css3, ecommerce, html5, jquery, php, sql, website0three0.com
Open Project css3, html5, jquery, php, sql, website, wordpressPolynesianFiafia.com
Open Project css3, html5, jquery, php, sql, website, wordpressMOD Movie Rental Kiosk (version 6)
Open Project ecommerce, kiosk, photoshop, touchscreenGreenPlay Ecosystem City
Open Project ecosystem, illustrator, isometricGreenplayer Set-top box
Open Project htpc, illustrator, photoshop, set-top boxSmoke kiosk music store
Open Project concept, kiosk, photoshop, touchscreenServices
Design is a tricky industry. Everyone has an opinion and just about everyone thinks they can either do it themselves or get their niece to do it for pennies on the dollar. It gets even more confusing when template resources are so easily accessible covering just about every type of design project whether it be simple business cards or a complete website. Truth is, a professional designer that respects their clientele will always be a far greater value than spending a couple hundred on a cookie-cutter website that does nothing to reflect the client’s values nor provides any assistance when problems or special adjustments are inevitably encountered.
Analysis
Every project starts with discussion and evaluation. Whether redesigning an existing site that isn’t living up to the client’s expectations or starting from scratch, a thoughtful discussion is always the first priority. It establishes the complexity of the project and gives everyone a fair expectation of what the final product will be.
Planning
Proper planning, like Analysis, is an essential step before any design works ever takes place. Even large firms often skirt the issue, only laying out basic drafts while ignoring details that could have significant impacts on not only the design but also the user experience, navigation hierarchy, functionality, and most importantly, cost.
Design
Good design is more than just color, pattern, space, and proximity. The objective is to take everything learned in the Analysis phase and create a styleguide that can be applied to every element that was identified in the Planning phase which will be passed onto Development where the final product can be built without any question as to what goes where. This is the Process working in harmony. Every phase coming together to meet one goal: The client’s success.
The process of design, like communication, is a two-way street. One person’s ideas and vision may not mesh with another’s. Design is about intelligent compromise; making the best decisions that satisfy not only the client’s desires but also make an effective user experience. The design phase focuses on collaborating with the client and creating a product that they can identify with.
Development & Testing
Development is all about taking a design and bringing it to life. If it’s a website, development means building a solid foundation of standards compliant code and then adding to it a unique experience that embraces the user, nudging them toward the end goal. In branding, it’s ensuring that a logo will work suitably in a variety of different situations and making adjustments where it tends to fail.
Contact
Based out of San Antonio, TX, I offer high quality service at reasonable rates for projects of all sizes. I am available for both remote freelance contracts as well as local, permanent positions.
Ben G. Thompsonhello [at] developdesign.us
tel: (206) 605-2731