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Digital Magic

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Digital Magic

Tom Schmidt, a digital artist, uses a variety of techniques to transform photos into beautiful oils, pastels, or watercolors that are suitable for framing. He wanted a website to showcase his artwork as well as sell some limited-edition prints. He also wanted to provide information for those people interested in hiring him to do commissioned pieces.

There was no question the website would be put into WordPress. Tom’s previous website, Galleria, though visually stunning, had been built in HTML and had proven to be too much work for him when trying to upload photos. Tom needed something more manageable that he could update easily himself.

At the new site, Digital Magic, the artwork was separated into various categories, and several photo galleries were needed to display it all. Content had to be dynamic so that each finished piece of artwork would appear automatically in its respective gallery when an update was made.

For the layout, I used ePhoto by Elegant Themes. It had all the necessary design features already built into a solid WordPress framework. With a little tweaking, it was easily customized to meet Tom’s specific needs.

A simple WP shopping cart was installed and linked to PayPal; and that, too, provides for easy management through the WordPress admin panel.

Tom’s artwork looks fabulous against the dark background. White matting and a black frame were added to the images for a finished look that really makes the art pop.

Digital Magic

Photography website
WordPress theme modification
Custom title/banner
Dynamic drop-down top menu
Slideshow
Photo slider
Image highlight rollovers
Dynamic HOME page content
Social icons
TimThumb thumbnails
Photo galleries
Custom photo framing
Photo rollovers
WP page navigation
Fancybox
WP eCommerce shopping cart
Secure contact form
xTreme tracking
Custom favicon

Inspiration for the Spirit

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Inspiration for the Spirit

14 Jul 2010 . . . Like me, this site has evolved through the years. It is softer, more gentle than the original . . . a reflection of changing technology and the woman I am. —Patricia Petro
Inspiration for the Spirit is a personal website of mine that has been online, in one form or another, since 2002.

Formerly known as “Summersong’s Inspiration for the Spirit,” the site underwent a major redesign and migration into WordPress beginning in mid-2008. The intention was to simplify simplify simplify . . . update the code and redesign the site with minimal graphics for easier management and a cleaner, more polished look.

Well, that’s not quite what happened. Instead, the project took on a life of its own. Halfway through, there were hundreds of pages and images. Everything used on the site had to be cataloged with purchase dates, source sites, and other relevant copyright information.

After two years, it is still a work in progress. Migration to WordPress has been slow. Content is still missing. With each page completed, more pages are added. At this rate, the site may never be finished.

I’m not complaining.

Inspiration for the Spirit has always been a labor of love. It was the first website I ever designed; and I still find the content peaceful, soothing, and inspirational. For me, it lives up to its tagline: A lovely place to wander for poetry and inspiration to soothe the soul. Whenever I’m not working on client projects, I return to work on it.

Inspiration for the Spirit

Personal website
Custom design in WordPress
Custom title/banner
Drop-down top menu with rollovers
Slideshow
Image highlight rollovers
Tooltip script
Dynamic HOME page content
Social icons
Ajax FAQs
Photo galleries
Photo sliders
Thumbnail pop-ups
Fancybox
Secure contact form
Encrypted email
xTreme tracking
Custom favicon

Filed under Inspiration for the Spirit

Georgia Ann Mullen

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Georgia Ann Mullen

29 Jan 2010 . . . My site is . . . shocking! I say that with pride, elation, and gratitude. You have been most kind, patient, and generous. I enjoyed working with you. —Georgia Ann Mullen
Historical fiction author Georgia Ann Mullen had specific ideas and a time frame in mind when she hired me to design a website for her books.

Her existing website (hosted by her publisher) was expiring, and her second book was coming out within a couple of months. She wanted the “new and improved” website up as soon as possible, definitely before the second book’s publication, so she could promote the new book well in advance.

In addition, she had a detailed website wish list. She knew what she wanted for her pages, page content, and design elements; and she knew she wanted to be able manage it all herself . . . update and make changes . . . to keep the content lively and current.

Not a problem. Everything Georgia wanted came neatly wrapped in WordPress.

A slideshow on the HOME page effectively showcases my client’s books. The custom top banner, featuring images from the books, plays well with the rich teal background. The rest of the color scheme, pulled from the banner and slideshow, gives the layout a rather “antique” look . . . perfect for historical fiction.

Georgia Ann Mullen

Author website/blog
Custom design in WordPress
Custom title/banner
Dynamic drop-down top menu
Slideshow with custom images
Custom images throughout website
Image highlight rollovers
Dynamic page content
Social icons
Thumbnail pop-ups
Random testimonial script
Events calendar
Breadcrumbs
Encrypted email
Custom favicon

Musclebasix

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Musclebasix

28 Oct 2009 . . . Thank you so much for everything! The site is running great and looks great! IT LOOKS AMAZING! I love it. I am so happy, and I appreciate it more than anything. —Tad Teeters
Sometimes a project goes so smoothly, I finish it much sooner than expected. Such was the case with Musclebasix . . . a simple, basic 4-page website with just enough flair to make it interesting.

My client was starting up a new business and had a product he wanted to sell online.

Taking my cue from the product’s label (a basic black, which was used for the title/top banner), I designed the layout in black on white, against a “shiny” steel gray background, using bright red as an accent.

All photos were converted to black-and-white. The main image on the HOME page was customized with a curved bottom, to soften any hard lines, and a shadow effect, to give the page depth.

Simple, but effective. It catches your eye, and draws you in.

Musclebasix

Brochure business website
Custom design
Custom photo
Top menu with rollovers
PayPal shopping cart
Image highlight rollover
PDF download
Encrypted email
Secure contact form
Custom favicon

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Patricia Petro
Sweet Solutions
Findlay, OH USA

Email: patpetro@msn.com
somesweetsolutions.com

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