about

Since I was 12, I've been pursuing graphic design and web development both on my own and through schooling. I started off building websites using free generators like MaxPages and Geocities. Since then, I've moved up to custom designs built on content management systems such as MODx and Wordpress, with a high degree of search engine optimization and standard compliant coding. I started my own company, Dvorak Designs, and officially began my freelancing career in 2009. 

Over the years, I've done extensive work with HTML, CSS, and jQuery within Modx, WordPress, and WordPress plugins. In more recent years, I've applied this knowledge to creating responsive sites that adapt to the device they're being viewed on. This means the same site content is displayed in a nice manner no matter what.

In addition to my main practices above, I've dabbled in PHP as it pertains to WordPress and creating email forms. I've also worked a little bit with XML as far as processing it with jQuery and then displaying it in HTML. Finally, I've worked with MySQL databases through cPanel and PHPMyAdmin.

Right now, I'm working on expanding my Woocommerce knowledge to better serve the growing e-commerce industry (Woocommerce is a WordPress plugin suite). I'm also working on growing my jQuery knowledge so I can take on complex tasks like dynamic animations.

I'm always on the look out to expand my Search Engine Optimization knowledge, which is really a never ending process and has been something that's been on going since college. Thanks to the abundance of resources out there, I have gained a considerable amount of knowledge when it comes to apply SEO practices to Modx and Wordpress. 

I also do work with social networking pages, and integration into websites (like showing twitter feeds, or share buttons on websites). This, like SEO, is a never ending process. As new social networks and trends come up, I do my best to adapt to them quickly.

In-depth Experience
Modx, WordPress, HTML, CSS, jQuery, SEO
Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Dreamweaver

Moderate Experience
PHP, Woocommerce
Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign

Minor Experience
Prestashop, XML
Adobe Premiere Pro

portfolio

Bluestone Legal, Responsive, WordPress

Bluestone Legal, Responsive, WordPress
(http://www.bluestonelegal.com.au/index.php/... )

This was a collaborative project with a designer. I completed the following elements:

  • Created alternate logo and color selection fields in the admin area for use on their Conveyancing page: http://bluestonelegal.com.au/index.php/conveyancing/
  • Moved the site to a Windows IIS server and setup friendly URLs for WordPress, as well as www to non-www redirects.

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Olympic Trailers - Trailers Sub-site, Modx

Olympic Trailers - Trailers Sub-site, Modx
(http://www.olympictrailers.com.au/trailers/trailer... )

This was a collaborative project with a designer. I completed the following elements:

  • Duplicated existing site and split it into two "sub" sites - Floats and Trailers
  • Created Template Variables inside Modx for managing page elements is easy - notably the Prices and Trailer Extras tables
  • Created a landing page at the root URL for both sites (http://www.olympictrailers.com.au/)

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The Topiary Cafe, Modx, Responsive

The Topiary Cafe, Modx, Responsive
(http://thetopiarycafe.com.au/)

This was a collaborative project with a designer. I completed the following elements:

  • Updated the site styling to match new branding
  • Updated all code and templates to be responsive
  • Created new jQuery-based sliders and galleries
  • Created and updated email forms
  • Integrated PayPal with the High Tea Gift Certificate form (http://thetopiarycafe.com.au/high-tea.html)
  • Providing on-going support for alterations and troubleshooting

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Shutters Plus SA, WordPress, Responsive

Shutters Plus SA, WordPress, Responsive

This was a collaborative project with a designer. I worked on the following items:

  • Converted existing, static HTML site to a responsive WordPress theme
  • Added back-end support for gallery management and other page elements using Advanced Custom Fields plugin (https://wordpress.org/plugins/advanced-custom-fields/)
  • Tested website across all modern browsers and simulated mobile environments
  • Secured WordPress through use of plugins and best-practice security methods
  • Provided a guide on using the WordPress admin area and custom fields specific to the site
  • Provide on-going support for WordPress updates

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Classic Roller Shutters, WordPress, Responsive

Classic Roller Shutters, WordPress, Responsive

This project was completed as part of a collaboration with a designer. I completed the following tasks:

  • Converted existing website into a responsive WordPress theme.
  • Supplemented the WordPress admin area with custom fields, using the Advanced Custom Fields plugin (http://www.advancedcustomfields.com/), to make maintaining the product lists easier.
  • Migrated all existing content to WordPress.
  • Converted most galleries from Flash to jQuery.
  • Conducted cross-browser testing and cross-platform testing to ensure the responsive layout functioned on as many devices as possible.
  • Helped secure the WordPress installation against hacks and exploits through use of plugins, server configurations, and best practice information.
  • Provided a PDF guide written specifically for the site to help with using the admin area.
  • Providing continued support for site expansion and troubleshooting.

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Dimitrak Real Estate, Modx, Responsive

Dimitrak Real Estate, Modx, Responsive
(http://www.dimitrakrealestate.com.au/)

For this project, I completed the following tasks:

  • Designed a landing page based on existing company PDFs used to collect information
  • Created Modx templates from the approved mock-up using a responsive framework
  • Setup the Modx manager area and templates so the website could be updated without any coding knowledge
  • Provided a PDF guide written specifically for the site that provided details on how to use the Modx manager area
  • Provide continued support for layout tweaks and updates as necessary

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Tiles on Bradman, Modx, Responsive

Tiles on Bradman, Modx, Responsive

This was a collaborative project with another developer. I worked on the following elements:

  • Created Modx templates from the provided mockups on a responsive framework
  • Moved content from flash site to Modx, as well as edited images to fit in a square shape as necessary
  • Setup and tested redirect script so the responsive site is displayed on tablets and mobile devices instead of the existing flash website.

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Bradbrook Lawyers, Modx, Responsive

Bradbrook Lawyers, Modx, Responsive
(http://www.bradbrooklawyers.com.au/)

This was a collaborative project with another developer. I worked on the following elements:

  • Converted existing Modx templates to a responsive framework to provide a more friendly browsing experience on tablets and mobile devices.
  • Made general site alterations along the way.
  • Utilized newly developed plugins to make the editing process more user friendly for the client

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My Fair Tradie, Modx

My Fair Tradie, Modx
(http://www.myfairtradie.com.au/)

This was a collaborative project with another developer. I worked on the following elements:

  • Converted HTML layout to Modx templates
  • Layout modifications
  • Created contact form and tradie registration
  • Cross-browser testing

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Raleigh Wines, Modx

Raleigh Wines, Modx
(http://raleighwines.com/)

This was a collaborative project with another developer. I worked on the following elements:

  • Converted HTML layout to Modx templates
  • Made layout modifications
  • Created contact form in Modx
  • Added home page slider
  • Performed Cross-browser testing

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Lemon Frankie, Prestashop

Lemon Frankie, Prestashop
(http://lemonfrankie.com.au/)

This was a collaborative project with another developer. I worked on the following elements:

  • Modified a purchased template to match the client's brand (base template: http://www.templatemonster.com/prestashop-themes/41119.html)
  • Corrected bugs and issues due to using template on Prestashop 1.5 (mostly jQuery issues)
  • Conducted cross-browser and mobile testing to help ensure the best user experience
  • Added categories, products, and page content based on client's specifications
  • Provided a comprehensive, 30-page guide on how to manage the site and products; written specifically for the site
  • Providing ongoing support for bugs and alterations on an as-needed basis

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VisaV, WordPress

VisaV, WordPress
(http://www.visav.com/)

This was a collaborative project with another developer. I worked on the following elements:

  • Database clean up using WordPress plugins
  • Load time optimizations with use of plugins, manual optimization, and htaccess
  • Further secured WordPress using Better WP Security plugin ( http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/better-wp-security/) and robots.txt file
  • Extensive 301 redirects to eliminate 404 errors
  • Form creation and modification using Contact Form 7 plugin ( http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/contact-form-7/ )
  • Continued support for database cleanup, redirects, and alterations

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Olympic Trailers, Modx

Olympic Trailers, Modx
(http://www.olympictrailers.com.au/floats/float-home.html)

This was a collaborative project with another designer. I worked on the following elements:

  • Integrated template into Modx (menu, forms, content)
  • Made layout alterations at request of client

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Load More Older projects listed on Upwork
Blue w/ Stars, Cat eBook Cover
Blue w/ Stars, Cat eBook Cover

Blue w/ Stars, Cat eBook Cover

eBook Cover created for Beau to Beau Publishing for use on popular eBook stores.

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Cat Illustrations
Cat Illustrations

Cat Illustrations

Illustrations created for Beau to Beau Publishing based on included pictures, for use on children's eBook covers.

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Arab Palace eBook Cover
Arab Palace eBook Cover

Arab Palace eBook Cover

eBook cover created for Beau to Beau Publishing for use on popular eBook websites. Images needed to be merged together and edited so they fit as the client had requested.

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Boy Group eBook Cover
Boy Group eBook Cover

Boy Group eBook Cover

eBook cover created for Beau to Beau Publishing, for use on popular eBook selling websites. The client gave us images that they wanted meshed together to make the cover. What you see is the result of some careful work and some specific requests from the client.

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Star eBook Cover
Star eBook Cover

Star eBook Cover

eBook cover created for Beau to Beau Publishing, for use on popular eBook selling websites. The cover was created with images given to us by the client, and meshed together per their request. With the stars being added after for a bigger effect.

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contact

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