Paratactic Consulting & Design
Web Coding, Design, Brand Identity and Interactive Marketing

Paratactic offers a full set of graphic design and front-end coding skills in one talented mind

Hello! I saw the Web evolve from something almost useless to the average person into something none of us can go without for a single day. How did it become so woven into our lives? Designers and developers worked together to make it easy to use, that's how.

A great user experience takes advantage of many problem solving methods to provide a website customer with a productive interaction. My philosophy is that a website should serve the customer's needs first. To acheive this I collaborate closely with my clients to understand the hopes, dreams and business goals of the new online marketing strategies we build together.


What does "Paratactic" mean?

"Parataxis" is a word I picked up in a college comparative literature class. It stuck with me because it describes something that is often overlooked in everyday life. Something that can be used in design to great effect.

From Wikipedia:

"Parataxis (from Greek for 'act of placing side by side'; fr. para, beside + tassein, to arrange; contrasted to syntaxis) is a literary technique, in writing or speaking, that favors short, simple sentences, often without the use of conjunctions...in which two images or fragments, usually starkly dissimilar images or fragments, are juxtaposed without a clear connection. Readers are then left to make their own connections implied by the paratactic syntax..."

Modern communication leaves little room for nuance. We are so immersed in the syntax of information that the meaning is too often missed.

With parataxis one can engage the mind by creating a visual riddle with a lasting impression.


Coding Skills

Hand-coding HTML since 1995

Languages & Products
  • ExpertHTML 4 & 5, CSS 2 & 3, Blog Software (WordPress, MovableType), Email Marketing (Constant Contact)
  • IntermediateJavaScript (jQuery, jQuery Mobile), XML, Content Management Systems (Joomla, Drupal, Expression Engine)
  • BasicAJAX, PHP, ASP, JSP

Design Skills

Using Photoshop since 1990

Techniques
  • ExpertSemantic Front-end Coding, web image slicing, digital photography, image scanning, photo retouching, image masking, vector graphics, wireframing
  • IntermediateIllustration, storyboarding

Computer Skills

Using Mac OS since 1985 & Windows since 1990

Operating systems
  • ExpertMac OS X 10.6.8 & Windows XP, Vista, 7
Imaging
  • ExpertAdobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, ImageReady, Illustrator, Flash, Lightroom)
  • IntermediateAdobe InDesign, Micorsoft Excel
Coding
  • ExpertAdobe Dreamweaver, Bare Bones Edit, Sublime, Textmate, Notepad++
  • IntermediateEclipse, Visual Studio
Multimedia
  • IntermediateVideo and audio editing software

Organize

Starting a project right means planning it out in as much detail as possible. First we discuss the goals of the site. Then we develop a marketing strategy by exploring options for visual and verbal tone. Next, an information architecture is created to map the best click paths to your information. Wireframes are then made to illustrate the visual hierarchy of information.

Design

The wireframes are fleshed out into design mockups that illustrate the site's visual design. After one or two rounds of revisions that allow us to fine-tune the look and feel of the site together, the design is finalized.

Generate

The final design is sliced into Web graphics and coded into page templates using the latest HTML, CSS and JavaScript methods. The templates have functional navigation and scripting effects, and are tested for cross-platform compatibility.

Populate

The templates are duplicated and populated with content. Functionality is perfected and the result is reviewed by the client.

Launch

Search engine optimization is performed to ensure the highest ranking in search results. Any remaining issues are fixed before the finished, fully-functional site is released to the world.


Recent Projects

2012

Sears Holdings Corporation

Sears Mobile & Kmart Mobile

2011

Cision

CisionPoint

2010

CME Group

CMEGroup.com

2009

Magic Chef Appliance

MCAppliance.com/magicchef.aspx

New Dimension Media

NDMQuestar.com

Usability testing, analysis, and implementation of better navigation and content delivery methods. Marketing strategy consulting for products and events. Maintenance of a dozen versions of the website for international offices. Enhancing the website's HTML and CSS code.

SPSS, an IBM Company

SPSS.com

As part of a small team of Web marketing specialists, I helped maintain 10 international versions of a large statistical analysis software company's website. I provided user interface and experience strategy and implemented modern front-end Web coding techniques. Unique responsibilities included design, production and maintenance of annual conference for North America and EMEA regions two years in a row (http://www.spss.com/spssdirections/).

Caucus of Rank and File Educators

CORETeachers.com

Create fully customized blog theme (WordPress) for educator organization. Integrate the site with social networking websites for event organizing, member recruitment, community outreach, and fund-raising.


Front End Development

HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Dynamic Code (ASP, JSP, PHP)

  1. 2012 Sears Holdings Corporation (link)
  2. 2011 Cision (link)
  3. 2010 CME Group (link)
  4. 2009 SPSS, an IBM Company (link)
  5. 2009 CORETeachers.com (link)
  6. 2009 Magic Chef Appliance (link)
  7. 2009 New Dimension Media (link)
  8. 2008Cunard World Voyage 2010 Mini-Site
  9. 2008Academy of General Dentistry (AGD)
  10. 2008Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC)
  11. 2008Clinical Resource Network
  12. 2007Monroe Equity Partners
  13. 2007Machochip.com
  14. 2007True Military Wives Confessions
  15. 2007 PartsDirect.com (Sears Holding Company)
  16. 2007 The 50 Million Pound Challenge (State Farm)
  17. 2007Find Inspiration (Lowe's & Valspar)
  18. 2006Data Based Ads
  19. 2005Channel G
  20. 2005Chicago Music Commission
  21. 2005 ChicagoFests.com Farm Aid 2005
  22. 2004Samsung
  23. 2004Simian Productions
  24. 2001Orbitz
  25. 2001 twohundredtwelve°
  26. 2001TRACE212
  27. 2001BIN36
  28. 2001Pullman Geddis Architects, Inc.
  29. 2000 Leapnet
  30. 2000SAM's Club
  31. 2000 MSNBC
  32. 2000Xhibition

Design

Project Management, Information Architecture, Wireframing, Layout Design, HTML, CSS, JavaScript

  1. 2009 SPSS, an IBM Company (link)
  2. 2009 CORETeachers.com (link)
  3. 2009 Magic Chef Appliance
  4. 2009 New Dimension Media (link)
  5. 2008Clinical Resource Network
  6. 2008Northbrook Chamber of Commerce
  7. 2008FissionMailed
  8. 2007Alisa and Steve Get Hitched
  9. 2006YoChicago
  10. 2005Amazon Hair
  11. 2005Tressler, Soderstrom, Maloney & Priess
  12. 2005Kartemquin Films
  13. 2004OpenPIPES.org
  14. 2004VanSenusAuto.com
  15. 2003Sheri & Kathy
  16. 2003Dragonize Metamedia
  17. 2003GraffNet
  18. 2002Civil Rights / Legal Wrongs
  19. 2001Comixwerks
  20. 2001Choyokan Kendo Dojo
  21. 2000 American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois
  22. 1999 National Rosacea Society

Email Marketing

Art Direction, Layout Design, HTML, CSS

  1. 2009 Questar Entertainment
  2. 2006 New Homes Magazine

Flash Animation

Timeline Animation, ActionScript Modification

  1. 2008FissionMailed
  2. 2005The Georgia Frances Orchestra
  3. 2002Stickfigure
  4. 2001Paratactic Design v1.0

Early Work (1996-1999)

Basic design, HTML, CSS, JavaScript

  1. 1999Academy of Osseointegration
  2. 1999American Health and Beauty Aids Institute
  3. 1999Association of Program Directors in Endocrinology and Metabolism
  4. 1999Baking Industry Suppliers Association
  5. 1999C.O.E.
  6. 1999Cosmetologists Chicago
  7. 1999International Carwash Association
  8. 1999International DB2 Users Group
  9. 1999International Association for Human Resource Information Management
  10. 1999International HP NonStop Users Group
  11. 1999North American Building Material Distribution Association
  12. 1999Neology Team Pages
  13. 1999The Popcorn Board
  14. 1999Pressure Sensitive Tape Council
  15. 1999World Airline Entertainment Association
  16. 1996Kemper Funds
  17. 1996Landrover
  18. 1996Motorola
  19. 1996Patagonia
  20. 1996Powerbar
  21. 1996Salomon Sports
  22. 1996Specialized Bikes