I am a front-end web developer based in Melbourne, Australia. What does a front-end developer actually do? They construct the components of a web page that you actually view in your web browser – that’s what I do, and what I do best!

Even though I’m only at the age of 25 I’ve already had the opportunity to deliver a great number of web and multimedia projects to high profile clients such as Telstra, Sony, Westpac & Optus. My professional development experience extends back as far as 2002, with personal experience that goes back even further.

The beginning

As strange as it may sound, I was actually developing websites before I even had an internet connection in my home. Back in the 90s on the family computer, we had an installed copy of Netscape Navigator. Amongst my brothers and sisters, we would create websites using the built-in Composer tool to try and impress to each other. From there, I’ve had a passion for web development since.

Teaching myself HTML & CSS in high school, I had my first professional web development experience working at Reliance Press in 2002. I followed this through by studying Multimedia Technology at Deakin University (2004-2006). During this time I had the opportunity to undertake several projects alongside my studies including web development for the Deniliquin Golf Leisure Resort, IT management and web development for the Deakin Anime Club, and multimedia development for Deakin University’s JobShop.

Out of university in 2007 I undertook data cleansing work with Nortel Networks. More importantly though, 2007 was when I operated as a sole trader of my own multimedia development business. This allowed me to work alongside the web design agency MilkyWay Multimedia, where I took on PHP development tasks (including MySQL) on a variety of projects.

Towers Watson

The main body of my work has been undertaken at the professional services firm, Towers Watson. First joining in 2007, I was employed in the Organisational Surveys and Insights line of business. Here they called upon my web development skills (HTML/CSS/JavaScript) to be put to use developing online employee survey websites for their clients. I did so through the use of proprietary tools, and a CMS known as Confirmit.

These were not merely plain question-and-answer forms like people so often see on the web. Rather, they were highly customised data collection websites built to client branding specifications. Each project was challenging in its own way, with concepts such as efficiency, usability, security and cross-browser compatibility at the forefront of the products we delivered.

Working at Towers Watson not only allowed my HTML, CSS and JavaScript skills to grow, but also allowed me to develop in other areas, such as communication, documentation, advanced MS Excel use and HTML email construction. My technical skills were regularly tested, and I would innovate in my work wherever I could, turning the impossible to possible, and raising the standards of our products significantly during my three year tenure.

What now?

Now, I am looking to further myself as a web development professional. I am looking to undertake development work that will allow me to harness my existing skills whilst also presenting new challenges and opportunities.

I regularly keep up to date on the latest trends and best practices, and use these to create fresh new experiences. All of this contributes to a man of web development skills not many have; a man whose experience and technical prowess goes beyond anything that can simply be put on paper.

My area of expertise is front end web development, but I’ve been known to stretch out into other disciplines occasionally. I have demonstrable skills and/or experience in the following:

Front-End Web Development

• HTML/XHTML/HTML5 (or as it’s now known, simply HTML)
• CSS (including common components of CSS3)
• JavaScript (including jQuery)

Back-End Web Development

• PHP (including MySQL)
• Confirmit Professional + Reportal (also involves front-end development)

Microsoft Office

• Microsoft Excel (Advanced – VBA)
• Vast experience with common applications such as Word and Access.

Multimedia Development

• Adobe Photoshop (Intermediate)
• Paint Shop Pro
• Audio/Video Editing Experience
• Music Production, Performance and Composition

Other Technical Expertise (May Include Academic, Personal or Ad Hoc Professional Experience)

• SQL
• WorldMerge (including HTML Email Development)
• YUI2 (JavaScript framework – ad hoc)
• Visual Basic.net (academic)
• VBScript (ad hoc)

Communication

• Documentation Skills
• Conducting Training and Presentations
• Requirements Gathering

This list is not all-encompassing. Feel free to ask about experience in any other disciplines!

Over the years I have had the opportunity to deliver web/multimedia solutions to some of the most respected organisations in Australia and the world. Below is a list of all the clients I’ve been privileged to work with:

• Westpac
• Telstra
• Sony
• SingTel (Including Optus, and subsidiaries e.g. Virgin Mobile)
• Australia Post
• Macquarie Group Limited
• Tabcorp
• Insurance Australia Group (includes insurance brands like SGIO & CGU)
• The City of Port Phillip
• Allianz
• BHP Billiton
• Royal Bank of Scotland
• Sensis
• Goldman Sachs JBWere
• Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts
• The Australian Tax Office
• WorkSafe Victoria
• TAC
• CitiPower/PowerCor
• TRUenergy
• Amore Pacific
• Allens Arthur Robinson and other Major Australian Law Firms
• Fonterra
• ESTA
• ITSS
• Australian Red Cross / Australian Red Cross Blood Service
• Leighton Contractors
• Brookfield Multiplex
• Lion Nathan / National Foods
• Stockland
• Bristan
• NICTA
• Cuscal
• Deakin University’s Jobshop
• MilkyWay Multimedia
• Deakin Anime Club
• Transurban
• Landis+Gyr
• Veda Advantage
• VMIA
• Guild
• CRS Australia
• CEVA Logistics
• REA Group
• CISRA
• Lander & Rogers
• Towers Watson

A selection of some of the client work I’ve completed can be viewed in my portfolio.

I have a loose set of guiding principles I keep in mind with web development. The following details some of these practices I try to adhere to in my projects.

Best Practice

Best practices mean just that – they are the best ways of doing something. They can involve working more efficiently or conducting yourself in a way to avoid potential pitfalls. Therefore, I always will work to what I know as a best practice. This includes best practices in both technical and work productivity capacities. In order to keep up to date on what would be considered best practice, I regularly read reputable web development blogs and websites.

Use HTML5 and CSS3 Now

Some people hesitate to use HTML5 and CSS3 in their projects for fear of users who are still on older browsers. We as developers though must start using the latest technologies to keep pushing our medium forward. HTML5 and CSS3 features are available for many users now, and provided you have a sufficient fallback in place, you should encounter no significant issues.

Don’t Punish Users Whose Browsers Render Correctly

Why load extra JavaScript and CSS if it’s not needed by the browser in question? Using the likes of conditional comments for Internet Explorer, you can ensure that extra content is only going to those who really need to use it.

JavaScript is a Last Resort

If your solution can be achieved using semantic and efficient HTML/CSS, then implement it as so. JavaScript should only be used to fill the gaps on functionality that you can’t find elsewhere.

Flash Should Only Have Specialised Applications

With the likes of CSS3 and JavaScript libraries including animation functions, many common animation/interactive features can be implemented without the need for Flash. Doing so means you’ll avoid issues like compatibility (e.g. mobile), performance, SEO, security, install base, and becoming dependent on third party plug-ins. I would only consider Flash appropriate for a specific business need, websites as art, detailed animation/games (e.g. Newgrounds), or as a fall back for HTML5 video/audio.

Experiment and Innovate

You may not always be successful, but you’ll learn a lot just by trying something new and gain a competitive edge.

IE6 Compatibility is a “Nice-to-Have”

IE6 has undoubtedly caused me and countless others many headaches over the years. Thankfully, popular websites like YouTube and Facebook have dropped official support for the browser, which acts as a good incentive for users to upgrade. If you can get your website to function in IE6 with some minor work: no problem. Should you need to spend hours/days on the task though, I would begin to question the need to do so. An exception to this though is if there’s a particular business need e.g. you’re developing an intranet site for an organisation that has IE6 as a part of it’s standard operating environment.

Efficient, Clean, Semantic & Validated Code

With all of the code I work with (code in this sense also refers to HTML/CSS) I aim to write in the simplest and cleanest means I know how. This includes concepts such as indentation, removing redundant code and providing helpful in-code documentation. I also validate my markup using the online services provided by the W3C, ensuring the best chances for compatibility/standards compliance. It’s worth noting though that it’s not the end of the world if your markup doesn’t validate – for example, Google’s famous landing page returns several errors on the W3C validator.

Right now, the best way to get in touch would be to send an email through to me at .

If I can confirm you’re not a spam bot or something, I’ll respond at the nearest opportunity.