NRL Clubs Mobile Sites - Design and front-end code
April 2013
After redesigning all 16 NRL club sites and mobile apps in 2012 it was time to redesign the mobile websites for all 16 clubs (as well as the NSWRL and QRL sites).
The layout and design was heavily based on the pre-seeding NRL.com mobile interface.
Each club had to be tweaked to align with their brand – mostly colours and logos.
The project timeline was counted in days – I think I pulled a hammy in the effort to get it done. Deadlines were met.
The templates for each club were converted into HTML/CSS - using sprites and CSS skins to make updates a little easier down the road.
These mobile sites are not live yet, the dev team is working on that now.
NRL.com Mobile Site - Design and front-end code
March 2013
The NRL and Telstra asked me to redesign and code (front-end) the mobile version of NRL.com (after completing the desktop redesign).
Like all things at the new NRL – the interface had to be clean, concise, and easier to use than the last one!
My goal was to keep things as simple as possible – making sure that only clickable things looked like clickable things.
There were about 14 templates I had to design and then convert into HTML & CSS.
There was very little time from go to deadline on this one... needed to take a breath after it was delivered.
I thought it was looking pretty sharp (on my phone anyway) so am excited to see it live. The devs are working on it now so will update this once they're done.
Sustainable Advantage - Design, front-end code & CMS
Feb 2013
Sustainable Advantage Group Australia commissioned me to create a web presence for their new venture.
As well as the interface design and front-end code, I also installed and customised 'Expression Engine' – my content management system (CMS) of choice for the last 2 years or so.
There were some pretty complex content relationships – the client still gets to update just about everything (hopefully it's pretty easy too).
"Well done. You have the patience of a saint! Loving it!" Diana, Sustainable Advantage Group Australia
NRL.com - Interface design
Dec 2012 - Feb 2013
After 3+ years working with the NRL I was commissioned by them (and Telstra) to re-design the NRL.com site.
This website has the highest public profile of any website I have designed in my 12+ year career. It was daunting and exciting.
The big change was to clean up the interface - increase space and present the news and content. Making it easier to digest information.
Working closely with the NRL and Telstra teams, we came up with a pretty nice interface with some cool little tools and interface thingies.
The front-end code was completed by the dev team responsible for the content management system.
This project is still going – there are constant additions, modifications, and promotions (like Tests, Origin etc.). Chances are if it's online and NRL – I probably had a hand in it.
Thanks to the NRL and Telstra for the continued opportunities!
Stackla.com - Interface design & front-end code
June 2012
Stackla is a social media aggregation tool which showcases the best social conversations around a brand or event.
The guys from Stackla.com knew of my work with the NRL – and were keen to get me involved with the design of their web app and promotional site.
This was a fun project that allowed me to play with the paralax scrolling technique.
"Website looks amazing mate. Everyone we speak to loves it. Great effort."
Peter C, Stackla
Angela Catterns - Interface design, front-end code & CMS
April 2012
I was referred to radio and television personality Angela Catterns early in 2012. Angela needed a serious update to her online presence.
I was thrilled of course, as I had listened to Angela for many years on Triple J – it was quite something to have a 'real conversation' with that voice.
The new site design was all about capturing Angela's extensive career, talents and current services. And allow communication between Ang and her fans.
My role was to plan & design the interface, all graphics, front-end code and CMS installation. I also built a mobile-lite version of the site.
The site runs on the Expression Engine CMS – allowing Angela and her team to edit and update text, images and sound files.
NRL 16 Club's iPhone Apps - Interface design
Feb/Apr 2012
At the same time I was redesigning all sixteen NRL clubs' websites, the NRL commissioned me to redesign all 16 clubs' iPhone apps for 2012.
My job was to design the interface layout, create all graphics and influence functionality.
We had a tight schedule, lots of stakeholders and competing objectives.
The end result turned out pretty well I think – with plenty of positive feedback from the clubs and fans.
"Great improvement over the last app..."
"Job well done guys on the latest version of the app, much better than the last one! looks great and love the layout!!"
"Easy to use. Easy to navigate around..."
"Worth the wait."
From iTunes reviews (and not my mum).
NRL 16 Club's websites - Design & front-end code
Feb/Mar 2012
The NRL commissioned me to redesign all 16 clubs websites in late 2011. The existing sites were about three years old, and needed a re-think and rebuild.
I was brought in towards the end of the user testing and stakeholder interviews – taking the wireframes and collated brief.
The design process was a tricky one – there were a fair few competing requirements: aesthetics, commercialisation, usability as well as content and functional limitations.
My main goal was to create a consistent, club-branded interface that lifted the quality of the online NRL club network.
I worked closely with the digital team at the NRL – who were keen to push-through new design and content ideas.
The final designs were welcomed by the NRL, content partners & clubs. I then set about writing the HTML and CSS for the many templates and club variations.
The clubs are now in control of their sites – they can create and edit all sorts of interface elements (some more successfully than others).
"Mate just wanted to drop you a quick line and thank you for all of your efforts throughout the year. Although you're out there in the Blue Mountains you’ve been a valuable part of the team here and I'm really excited seeing what is coming out of your office with the new club designs."
Chris R, NRL
SmilingBear® - front-end code & CMS
January 2012
SmilingBear® were referred to me late last year – looking to create a new website for their emerging brand.
Guy Paterson from SmilingBear® was responsible for all the interface design and graphics work on the site – and what great work it is too. Do you like cute and kawaii?
I hand-coded all the HTML and CSS then installed and customised the 'Expression Engine' content management system.
The SmilingBear® team can now update nearly all site content themselves – using a highly customised, yet easy-to-use application.
"I've really enjoyed putting the site together and love the end result." Guy Paterson.
Citizen Watches - Interface design
December 2011
CKWeb and I were again invited to redesign and rebuild the Citizen sites for Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Chris from CKWeb pushed me to come up with a striking homepage – and I think we did it. The interface was simplified from the last edition. Images became larger, text shorter and actions (hopefully) clearer.
Users now have more opportunities throughout the site to browse and find their watch (+ the Watch Finder remains).
Citizen are very happy with their fast, mobile-friendly website for 2012.
Charlie Chan - Interface design, front-end code & CMS
November 2011
Charlie is a renowned Australian song writer, musician and composer.
Charlie needed a new website to go along with her new branding. A little texture, layering and pianola roll inspired design was required.
The site had to showcase her extensive career, push her current endeavours and allow fans & clients to make contact.
I designed the interface, wrote the html & css then setup and customised the Expression Engine content management system.
Charlie can now update all the content on her site quite easily.
"My Hero! What can I say. Finally a person who cares about all the details!" Charlie Chan
Tudor House - Interface design, front-end code & CMS
August 2011
Tudor House is private, boys-only primary school located in Moss Vale, New South Wales.
Brandswell Worldwide brought me in to design and build a new website for the prestigious school – with only a five week timeline.
I was to design the interface and layout, help with image selection & content, do all front-end coding and then install and customise the Content Management System.
I chose Expression Engine as the CMS, as it had the flexibility required: nested pages, blogs, events & news modules, many templates and different data-types.
Working closely with Brandswell, we delivered on time. "Thank you for your amazing work and website. Loving it!" John Stewart, Principal.
NRL - graphics, interface design, email newsletters
May 2011
My relationship with the NRL continues as I produce a wide range of assets for their digital presence.
Just recently I have created:
- State of Origin banners, email newsletters & stadium big-screen graphics
- A re-design and initial code of the One Community site
- A re-design of the Born to be Blue site
- iTunes branding for official NRL apps
- Portal sites for the Heritage Round and No.1 Fan promotions
- Twitter and Facebook digital artwork
- Re-design updates to the Rugby League Films website (video, classic matches...)
- Re-design and build of NRL 'Inside Pass' email newsletters (150,000 subscribers)
I enjoy the turn-around challenges, and they're fun photoshop mini-projects.
Corality.com - logo, interface design & front-end code
April 2011
Corality is a analytical consulting company focused on financial modelling, audit and training courses (in Australia and overseas).
I have been working with Corality since 2009, supporting their online presence, email marketing and sales initiatives.
They recently commissioned me to rebrand the business, looking at the logo and digital media. A fresh approach with a clean & energetic feel.
This new brand was then applied to their existing public website – a re-skin of their Drupal-powered presence (the print work was by another design team).
A nice brand upgrade in a short time.
Corality have just been announced as a 'BRW Fast starter 2011'. Thoroughly deserved.
TeresaCutter.com - interface design & front-end code
March 2011
Teresa Cutter 'The Healthy Chef' is a popular TV personality, healthy-eating expert and business woman.
I was recommended to Teresa by an existing client – which is always nice.
Teresa needed a re-vamp of her existing web presence – allowing for easy updates and interaction with her fans and customers.
With the re-design and complete re-think came the need to push her extensive recipe collection and current book "The 80/20 Diet".
Using Wordpress, Adrian Stein and I were able to deliver a complete content and shopping solution. I also implemented an email marketing service. Now I just need to jog more...
NSWTF - interface design & front-end code
February 2011
Social Change Media commissioned me to re-design the public site for the New South Wales Teacher's Federation.
I was required to provide a few interface design variations based on both supplied wireframes and ideas of my own.
I was also required to produce the front-end code (HTML , CSS and images). All hand-coded as per usual (not the images obviously!).
The end result is a great improvement over their existing site (i think so anyway) and will hopefully lead to happier users.
The site is now with the development team, and I will link to it when it's launched.
MyHardDriveDied - brand and interface design
January 2011
Scott Moulton is a pretty well known Data Recovery expert from the US. He presents at conferences and appears on a few radio stations and podcasts. He is based in Atlanta GA.
Scott found me via Google and commissioned a redesign of his 'My Hard Drive Died' brand and website. Thank goodness for Skype.
The brand proved to be tricky (we went though a ton of variations) – but we got there in the end.
Scott is able to maintain the website himself, as we installed a customised Drupal content management system.
The new website should drive more business to his training and consultation business.
Inside Cuisine - interface design, code & wordpress
October 2010
Rebecca Varidel from Inside Cuisine approached me a few months ago asking for a completely new look for her popular blog.
Inside Cuisine is an online food magazine, with Rebecca's 30,000 or so Twitter followers regularly checking in to see what's new.
I was able to create a simple brand and interface design as well as spend time lifting the photo and layout quality (where possible).
The initial cut up and customised Wordpress install was handled by a trusted source, before being finalised and tweaked by yours truly.
The site is getting a lot of positive feedback and Rebecca said "Thank you for a great job! We are receiving fabulous feedback on the design".
NRL - interface design, code & iPhone graphics
September 2010
I been providing graphics and web design services to the NRL for the last few months now.
On a near daily basis I am being asked to provide new material for the digital NRL brand. This has included
- iPhone app - NRL Grand Final (featured on iTunes)
- Stadium big screen graphics during finals
- Mini site, banners, ads and promo boxes
- New email templates and newsletter graphics
- Facebook and Twitter branding
It's interesting work – and the NRL are happy.
NRL Four Nations - interface design & front-end code
August 2010
I was contracted by the NRL to design the official Rugby League Four Nations Tournament website.
I designed the interface, artwork and layout in Photoshop, before hand-coding the HTML and CSS in Coda.
These key templates were then given to the development team who incorporated the code into their CMS. As a result – the live code is somewhat different to mine.
There were a fair few templates to design and build – for the most part they have come across well in the live site.
This project is one of many recently completed (and ongoing) for the NRL. Who would have guessed I would be involved with Rugby League.
NRL MyReplay - interface design & front-end code
July 2010
I have recently been trusted by the NRL to produce several sites for new projects. This is the first to go live.
Rugby League Films allows the public to search for and purchase Rugby League games from 1967 to today.
The project had a very short deadline and tight visual guidelines.
I worked with the internal dev team to skin the .NET site and eCommerce software.
The client is really happy with the outcome - securing orders almost immediately and gaining press in 'The Australian'.
I am now continuing work on the 2010 Four Nations Tournament website - now launched.
zeroonetwenty - interface design & front-end code
April 2010
zeroonetwenty is the home of a successful Mac and iPhone software developer.
He approached me in February this year looking for a new web presence. I jumped at the opportunity to work on a Mac-based project.
I designed the new interface, hand-coded the HTML and CSS specifically for Mac (beware IE users) then installed and customised Wordpress to run it all.
The client and I are really happy with the outcome, and I hope it gives their already popular software a boost.
"Really impressive stuff. I couldn't be happier with it. ... I'm really thrilled with this. You've changed a process that was difficult and unpleasant into a task which is - dare I say it - fun. I'm actually looking forward to managing my website now."
Ross, zeroonetwenty
Navigator PF - interface design & front-end code
february 2010
Having already completed several projects for the management team, Navigator Project Finance commissioned me to re-design and develop their public website.
They wanted a fresh start, a modern interface and a new Content Management System. Drupal was chosen for this project.
My role was to re-design the site, create the HMTL and CSS, commission and manage the (talented) Drupal developer and migrate all content.
This significant project took a few months to complete – and the client is happy.
"We love the new website!", "...the site is very good now!" Nick Crawley.
NSWTF - interface design & front-end code
february 2010
APT Solutions approached me (yet again) to design and hand-code the templates for the New South Wales Teacher's Federation.
This member's only site is an important resource for union representatives in New South Wales.
After many revisions, we finally settled on a strong, contemporary interface (login screen pictured).
My design and hand-coded templates are now in the UK being applied to their CMS.
NSWNA - interface design & front-end code
october 2009
APT Solutions approached me to design and hand-code the templates for a new public website for the New South Wales Nurses' Association.
I met the client (along with APT Solutions) and extended an already well-defined brief.
I delivered three concepts over several iterations, and we finally settled on what I believed was the strongest design.
I then converted those designs into HTML and CSS for key templates – to be used by their .NET development team.
I have since been commissioned by APT Solutions for a design & code project for the NSW Teachers Federation.
iReward - logo, interface design & front-end code
october 2009
iReward is a brand-new social-networking and loyalty web site for Australians. They reward their users with prizes and cash in return for their opinions and marketing activities.
I was referred to iReward from a previous contact and was immediately contracted to design their brand (logo and collateral).
This then turned into a large website design project with over 30 wireframes and key screens!
I then set about creating the HTML and CSS for their ".NET" powered site (even doing a few hours in Visual Studio myself - fair bit of that over the years).
The iReward team is a nice, genuine bunch of people looking to create a generous business.
fimodo - logo design, code & interface design
august 2009
Fimodo is an independent financial modelling blog for the practitioners in this field.
I was approached by the Fimodo team via a referral from an existing customer of mine (nice).
My job was to design the brand for this new entity, design the interface, then manage the build and install in Wordpress.
I was able to pull together a few Wordpress experts to add some in-depth mods.
I have now been commissioned for another two projects with this team, and they have referred me to another client – couldn't ask for more :)
emotum - interface design & front-end code
may 2009
Emotum is a world-class software company creating installation and connection management software for the telecom industry.
I was hired to design and build the new Emotum corporate website.
Firstly, we all sat down to clarify the new site's direction, content and goals. Those results became the project's blueprint.
I designed all site pages and content – incorporating the existing iconography and brand.
We worked through through several iterations before settling on an energetic, relaxed interface.
I have now been commissioned to re-design their project management tool...
somedays - front-end code & wordpress setup
march 2009
somedays is a nordic fashion house and contemporary art gallery in Surry Hills, Sydney.
They are very cool (i'm not btw – I know you weren't wondering). You should head out to their store-slash-gallery.
somedays contacted me (via a referral) and asked me to build their website and online store. They needed to be able to update it themselves.
They already had the interface design & graphics (the banners are great).
I was able to follow the designers lead and build a functioning, up-dateable site within the time allowed. Nearly all the site content has been added by the somedays team.
The online store is in development now, and will be live soon – so warm up your credit card...
O'Kane Internet Consultancy - logo & interface design
february 2009
O'Kane is an internet consultancy company focused on advanced website performance and measurement services. Some big corporate names rely on their broad range of skills.
O'Kane approached me to re-design their brand and website. Their existing material was not reflecting their actual talent, and they felt a more professional presence would increase sales.
I developed a logo, created business cards & stationary, designed a new process diagram and created several templates for their new website.
O'Kane used an internal team to convert the interface designs into a functioning website (so what you see online is not 'mine' as such).
"Thanks for doing a great job!"
Renee Rimington, O'Kane Marketing
LouLou Shoes - interface design & front-end code
october 2008
LouLou is a boutique fashion label specialising in women's shoes. I have been working with LouLou Shoes for nearly two years.
Originally we produced a brochure site and an email marketing campaign. LouLou Shoes is now a fully fledged ecommerce site that the client can maintain and administer.
I was responsible for the interface design, front-end code and shopping cart installation & customisation. A fun project.
If pumps, slides and slingbacks mean something to you – visit louloushoes.com
GamersCockpit - logo, interface design and all code
december 2008
GamersCockpit designs, manufactures, sells and hires driving simulators. These racing seat and frame packages are bundled with games, steering wheels & pedals, consols / computers and sound systems. This is serious fun (for those who enjoy driving).
A few years back I designed the GamersCockpit logo and helped produce their first website.
They re-engaged me to design and build a new site that allowed them to update all content and sell products online.
I pulled together and customised Wordpress for the content and CubeCart for ecommerce.
GamersCockpit now maintains their site and sells products direct to the public. This new site looks the goods and has increased company turnover... and that's great.
CITIZEN Watches - interface design & front-end code
august 2008
Working closely with CKWEB, I re-designed the new CITIZEN Watches websites for Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
CKWEB took care of client relations, the backend and Javascript and the initial HTML/CSS coding. The design, graphics and final CSS touches were my responsibility.
CKWEB and I spent plenty of time fine-tuning functionality and design to improve usability and support the business requirements.
I particularly like the Find your Watch page (for it's speed), the watch images (crisp & hi-res), the footer and Instruction Manuals page.
Chris and I were honoured to be shortlisted for the 2008 McFarlane Prize for this project.
Syncplicity goes live - logo, interface design & code
april 2008
Syncplicity, Inc. a start-up in San Francisco first contacted me to design a new logo. They were impressed with the result, so hired me to design their new website - ready for a global launch in April 2008.
I provided all the HTML and CSS - ready for them to plug into their .NET project.
They have since hired me to extend their site, design & build all of their customer HTML emails and design printed business cards.
Syncplicity are a great client, and it's a super product (real-time multi-computer backup and sharing) - you should give it a look-see. Now featured on DesignShack.co.uk
IdeaSearch – logo & interface design
april 2008
Client: CKWEB
IdeaSearch (a product from VAVAVOOM) needed an overhaul. It required a new brand, style and position due to a change in business needs.
I wanted to keep the interface as simple as possible. Minimal graphics, clean design.
This is essentially a search tool, so it needs to be quick. As more products come online - the light interface will help reduce latency.
CKWEB handled all the front-end code and development for the project.
Department of Education - front-end code project
february 2008
The Department of Education and Training contracted me for several weeks as a front-end coder for a large state-wide schools project. They were a professional bunch, and while my part was only small, I was happy to be part of the action. I worked on a few prototypes and final HTML and CSS code for the admin system.