Profile: Mat Keller

Skills: XHTML, CSS, PHP, MySQL, Flash, Web Design, Logo and Branding Design, Print Design

In a nut shell my core skill is in hand coding XHTML and CSS for websites. Additionally I also design web pages in Adobe Photoshop, create branding elements in Adobe Illustrator and write back-end functionality via PHP and MySQL.

Over the years the importance of Search Engine Optimisation and cross browser compatibility has become paramount. With the shear volume of websites currently available via the internet, it is these things that make a website stand out from the crowd. It has become widely acepted that the best way to achieve this goal is by hand-coding and carefully structuring both code and design, with utmost importance on the impact of the content being delivered within each page.

It is with these factors in mind that I approach my work. The structure of my projects are built around core content, if the content is structured correctly then the design will then wrap around it seemlessly. Each design is approached with SEO and browser compatibility in mind, for example giving textual alternatives for header and logo graphics and navigation.

I also bring this approach to any projects I work on collaboratively. My eight years of experience designing and building websites mean I can take any design and make it work within the boundries of SEO and browser compatibility. Additionally, working as part of a team allows me, not only to see how other people work, but to exchange ideas and solutions, growing my abilities and extending my experience.

In addition to Freelance Web Development, I also run a print design company called Metal Dragons, details of which can be found here: http://www.metaldragons.com

Examples of my work

www.exclusiveescapes.co.uk - The site was built using XHTML and CSS within the framework of the Smarty template engine which in turn is controlled by PHP. Every page of the well over 2,000 page site uses both queries to a PostgreSQL database and the templating engine to gather and display the rich content. The majority of the pages have a JavaScript driven image gallery and a content controlled menuing system.

Exclusive Escapes have complete control over the content of almost every page within the site, the only exception being form pages, as well as control of menu items, main images, thumbnails, lists, price tables with complete sequencing of all these items, all of which is accessed via a back-end administration system.

www.lumenessence.co.uk - Using colours taken from the labels offices, and photographs of art-deco buildings in and around Brighton, I designed and produced an XHTML framework and stylesheets for the site. This was then given to an independent back-end coder who produced the content engine, forum and paypal integration for the site. A final style tweak brought the forum and shop sections in line with the rest of the site.

www.michellenmedia.com - The "Michellen Media Guide to Digital Literacy" is a series of interlinked pages, mixing text explanations, instructions, graphical examples and movie clips to enable teachers or individual students to study and practice knowledge of Computing basics and software specifics through a browser front end. The guides themselves are XHTML and CSS based, cross browser compatible and are completely self contained, enabling them to be translated into any language as required. Each of the guides is colour coded for ease of recognition and graphically indicates progress through the system throughout.

This site was produced in conjunction with Paul Dalton and is hosted by him.

www.mbcmotionpath.co.uk - This was a true exercise in Search Engine Optimisation and structured coding. The site is written in structured XHTML and CSS and has keyword rich content specifically written to fit within the code structure, all of which means the site had the greatest impact on search engine algorithms from launch.

Examples of my Print Design work can be found on the Metal Dragons site here: http://www.metaldragons.com