Welcome to my portfolio site
For many years, I worked in the newspaper business as a page designer and editor. Working on a daily deadline, you learn to think creatively on your feet, to troubleshoot production issues quickly and easily, and find creative solutions on the fly, at least that was my experience. I made the transition to digital design in the early years of the internet. I am what is known as an early adapter, or nowadays they call us Unicorns. I was always the first to jump into learning and sharing new technology and I became a Web Editor in 1996. That job gave me experience in video editing, HTML, Content Management, JavaScripting, everything you needed to edit a website at the time.
After that, I worked as a Just Go Product Manager and launched an Arts & Entertainment website for Northeast Ohio. (This included the Akron, Canton and Cleveland regions). This job required me to handle marketing and promotions for the site, as well as editing, managing and planning content. I can do everything from editing and web design to creating animated banner and cube ads. I also worked with Zip2.com (A searchable, online business zip code directory) for setting up the search database for local entertainment businesses (Zip2 does not exist any more).
Now, I focus completely on Web Design, specifically WordPress customization. WordPress is a content management system, but it’s mostly known as an online blogging system. It can actually be used to create a fully-functional website. I take templates and redesign them for my clients, so they can have a website without having to know much code. After I set up sites for them, I train them on how to use the browser-based admin, so they can make changes and post updates themselves.
I also was a tutor on an online tutor matching service. I have tutored students one-on-one in PhotoShop, Web Design, InDesign, Powerpoint, WordPress, HTML5, CSS3, Illustrator, Final Cut Pro, Premiere, Photography and how to use a Macintosh. I enjoy tutoring because I also learn a lot about how people process information and learn. And it’s a good way to keep my skills sharp and to meet (and help) people. Because I’m technically-savvy, I can teach a variety of different subjects that people happen to need help with.
I have worked for The Washington Post, MSNBC.com, Microsoft, The Orlando Sentinel, The Akron-Beacon Journal and The Columbus Dispatch. I also have experience in doing HTML e-mails for Marketing and I am immersed in Social Media, as much as I can be.