Designing websites is my bread and butter. I have been designing and coding websites since 1998, using <table> for layout and Photoshop 5 for all my design mischief. While I enjoy taking a website from the initial design phase all the way to code, these days, I prefer focusing more on the creative and design side. I either collaborate with a front-end developer or rely on a CMS like WordPress for implementation.
My previous coding experience helps me communicate effectively with developers and, more importantly, understand technical limitations — ensuring I don’t design something that would be difficult or impossible to code.
With over 20 years of experience developing websites for small businesses and organizations, I have worked on everything from hand-coding HTML/CSS to using CMS platforms like WordPress and Wix. I’m no stranger to bootstrapping or wearing multiple hats to get the job done.
While I have designed a wide range of websites over the years, every project brings its own unique considerations — no two are exactly alike. A deep understanding of the target audience is always at the heart of any successful design.
I have a long and wonderful history with OPM.gov (the HR department of the federal government) as a contractor. As a UI/UX/Web Designer there, I played a key role in designing numerous public and internal websites, web apps, intranet platforms, and a mobile app.
Due to the federal government’s strict accessibility requirements, all designs had to be 508 compliant and created with a responsive, mobile-first approach in mind.
Federal Executive Boards (FEBs) are regional networks of federal agencies that coordinate interagency collaboration, emergency preparedness, and workforce development outside of Washington, D.C.
My web team at OPM has designed numerous websites for the national FEB as well as individual FEBs over the years. This includes general templates that accommodate different content types, as well as interactive elements like an event calendar that pulls data from the Umbraco CMS.