All in Good Fun
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Inspired by everyone’s favorite demographic. Also, needs more skinny jeans, I know. But hey, it’s shorts weather.
Direxion Funds “I’m With X” Landing Page
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
When: Winter 2009-10
Classification: Full Time (Sametz)
Primary Role: Development, Flash Design and Development
Status: Delivered to client
Live URL: http://www.imwithx.com
Details: We created the “I’m with X” landing page in conjunction with a series of web and print ads to serve as a landing page for the Direxion Funds site. It consists of a large flash components and some static text (XHTML/CSS). The flash component was one of the more complex ones I’ve done, consisting of multiple stages and transitions (the signs moving at the bottom was particularly tricky, given that there were so many different ways to arrive at a specific stage). We will likely be expanding the project some in the near future, creating more specific landing “zones” for different ads.
Direxion Funds Website
When: Summer 2008 – Present
Classification: Full Time (Sametz)
Primary Role: Site Development, Flash Design and Development
Status: Client launched, periodic redesigns and additions
Live URL: http://www.direxionfunds.com
Details: Direxion’s other half focuses on mutual funds and is perhaps the more traditional of the two. Like Shares, I am responsible for all XHTML/CSS development on the website, which undergoes design changes periodically. I’m also responsible for all flash work on the site. Here the SWFs tend to focus a little less on animation and more on presentation of various pieces of information. As such, they tend to require more sophisticated planning and coding, but far less front end work.
Direxion Shares Website
When: Summer 2008 – Present
Classification: Full Time (Sametz)
Primary Role: Site Development, Flash Component Design and Development
Status: Client launched, periodic redesigns and additions
Live URL: http://www.direxionshares.com
Details: Direxion Shares represents one half of Direxion, an investment company specializing in mutual funds and leveraged ETFs. They’re also one of our most prolific clients at Sametz, and the one for which I do the lion’s share of my work. For the Direxion Shares website, I am responsible for hand coding all XHTML and CSS for any design changes (sometimes full overhauls) and delivering said code to Direxion’s webmaster, often consulting during launch. I am also responsible for design and development of the site’s flash components, usually found on the homepage. For Shares, the components tend to be players featuring playful but cautionary animated vignettes targeted towards potential investors. I fully create and animate each vignette, consulting with the team regarding content. Since Shares consists of the leveraged ETFs, which are particularly powerful yet volatile trading tools, these animated shorts add a bit of humor to what is otherwise a serious educational message. The ETFs are meant for savvy, experienced investors with the capacity to monitor the market on a daily basis.
Against Simplicity Blog
When: Summer, 2009
Classification: Freelance
Primary Role: Design and Development (WordPress)
Status: Delivered to Client (who is working on content)
Live URL: http://www.againstsimplicity.com
Details: Last year I was contacted by a friend of a friend to design a personal blog. I eagerly accepted and produced design sketches, a development site, and finally a fully launched product. His desire was to create a unique but minimalistic aesthetic that utilized white space contrasted with gritty, hard blacks. After completion, the client decided to keep the site under wraps for a while; so it was placed in a password protected subdomain for several months. Recently, he has decided to start producing content and asked me to make the site public once again.
‘Round the Square (Sametz Blog)
When: Spring/Summer 2009
Classification: Full Time (Sametz)
Primary Role: Development (WordPress)
Status: Launched Internally
Live URL: http://www.sametz.com/roundthesquare
Details: Last year we (Sametz Blackstone Associates) decided to set up our very own blog. Being quirky design types, the company opted for something a little more out there compared to our usual, clean client work. I worked with a designer to create a custom WordPress template and get all the infrastructure up and running. I continue to do occasional maintenance and internal consulting.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute Campaign Website
When: Spring/Summer 2009
Classification: Full Time (Sametz)
Primary Role: Development (WordPress)
Status: Delivered to Client
Live URL: N/A (Client has not launched)
Details: The WPI Campaign Website was built using the WordPress CMS. The team included myself, another developer, 2 designers, and a strategist. I focused on theme development (XHTML/CSS/PHP, WordPress tags) while aiding with coding and implementation of custom plug ins. The site features a number of dynamic content feeds, content carousels, and several editable pages. The WordPress commenting system was also used to create a user feedback (Send us your “If…”) page which would allow site administrators to select user submitted content to publish in a feed on the page. Additionally, there was added emphasis on linking the site to external social content for the school (facebook, twitter, etc). The site was completed and delivered in 2009, but has yet to launch for bureaucratic reasons.
© 2010 Jeff and Company