Weblog
Embrace Pet Community Process
It’s been a loooooong time since my last post, and I’ve been getting pretty eager to share some of the different projects I’ve been working on lately. The only problem is that many of the projects I want to share are still behind closed doors, and I’d have some upset clients if I posted about them now.
I did however, find out just a couple days ago that a project that I had worked on last summer has recently launched so I thought I’d post the process for all to see.
Embrace Pet Community Design Process
I’m going to hold off making too many comments about it right now, and instead save them for a full article in the near future… (I hope).
EDIT: Just wanted to note that the original sketch for the illustration was done by Drew Warkentin’s wife, Danielle Petak. Thanks again “Ms. Talent”.
Hello, my name is…
Jesse Bennett-Chamberlain, a stay at home designer from Grimsby ON, Canada. To get in touch use the contact form.
Side Links
My good friend (and former employee) Brian Potstra just launched a new site. Congrats Brian!
Martha is looking for a Sr. UI Developer. It’s a good thing.
A map of countries that don’t use the metric system.
As much as I love to hate Bell, their new site looks pretty sweet.
Check out Kiva’s Google Maps view of how Authentic Jobs is making an impact through microloans. A good use of the Google’s API for a great cause.
Authentic Jobs
Help Wanted
Recent openings posted at Authentic Jobs.
- Version-X Design: Web Designer
- Pam Murtaugh & Co.: Inspired logo designer
- UnitOneNine: Rockstar Designer
- Wells Publishing: PHP/MySQL Developer
- theMechanism: PHP Web Developer
- D. E. Shaw & Co., L.P.: Quantitative Analyst
- People Media: Web Designer
- Resource Systems Group Inc.: Web & Application Tool Developer
- MindSmack.TV: Client Friendly Web Developer/Designer
- Merge: Web Designer Extraordinaire
- Version-X Design: Web Designer
- UnitOneNine: Rockstar Designer
- Wells Publishing: PHP/MySQL Developer
- theMechanism: PHP Web Developer
- D. E. Shaw & Co., L.P.: Quantitative Analyst
- People Media: Web Designer
- Resource Systems Group Inc.: Web & Application Tool Developer
- MindSmack.TV: Client Friendly Web Developer/Designer
- Merge: Web Designer Extraordinaire
- Launch Interactive: Web Developer
- Pam Murtaugh & Co.: Inspired logo designer
- UBI UBI LLC.: Mobile UI / Front-end SW Development / Design Technologist
- iNeed: Talented Designer with Expertise in Web 2.0 User Interfaces
- Innovative Systems, Inc.: Web Designer
- THINK Interactive, Inc.: Flex User Interface Designer
- Citizens Market: Rails Web Developer (Volunteer)
- FiveNines Dev: XHTML/CSS coder/designer
- Giant Realm: Coder for Distributed Javascript Web/Video Application
- SynergyMedia, Inc.: MS SQL Developer
- Code Spero: Designer / Flash Developer
Recommended
Idologic Hosting
I've been with Idologic since January 2006, and can vouch for their amazing support and reliablity.
ExpressionEngine
A feature-rich content management system that allows PHP illiterate folks like myself to create dynamic sites.
Basecamp Project Management
Basecamp is the smarter, easier, more elegant way to collaborate on your internal and client projects.
Subscribe
reese
January 19, 2007
I was so excited to see a post from you in my reader today ;)
The design is beautiful…very friendly and approachable. I always enjoy seeing your processes unfold—they’ve helped me a lot in my own work.
Colly
January 19, 2007
Jesse, you continue to inspire. Really enjoyed this peek into your process. Man, I’d love to work with you on something some day.
Derek Nelson
January 19, 2007
Love it. The colors are great and the illustration very nice and adds a lot of fun and personality.
Cal Goodman
January 19, 2007
Nice work Jesse (as usual), are you planning to start writing again regularly?
Kel
January 20, 2007
Nice work! Great to see the process. FYI Wire2B appears to have the wrong image link?
Jesse Bennett-Chamberlain
January 20, 2007
Reese: Good to hear that they’ve helped you… I’ll try to post more.
Simon: Let’s do it!
Derek: Your portfolio is amazing! Keep it up.
Cal: Define “regularly”
Kel: Good catch! I’ve updated the wireframes… Thanks.
Vicky
January 23, 2007
It looks a wonderful design. You are so gifted. Can I ask with what package you draw up your wireframes?
Jesse Bennett-Chamberlain
January 23, 2007
Thanks Vicky, I use Adobe Illustrator for doing up the wireframes, but any application that you feel comfortable with would work just as well.
Jesse
Michael Sigler
January 27, 2007
Really an awesome job and thanks again for letting us have a little insight into another designer’s process.
After having browsed through it all, I am a bit shocked at some of the changes from Final Design to Coded Docs. Your use of horizontal bands of color to break up information was much stronger. The Coded design’s use of blue on all the links, while consistent, is very stark. The new footer is a bit odd and perhaps has a small coding error. The green column doesn’t seem to fit the flow of the document quite as well. I also miss the Deal of the Week imagery.
Sorry if I am coming off as too critical. I’m just curious what transpired to convert to what I see as a weaker design.
All in all though, top notch work!
Jesse Bennett-Chamberlain
January 29, 2007
Hey Michael,
I liked the “Design 1” over “Design 2” as well… but the client chose to go with version 2.
We changed the links to blue to make the design as user friendly as possible. I agree that it looks more aesthetically pleasing the original way it was, but sometimes usability trumps aesthetics.
Michael Sigler
January 29, 2007
I definitely understand what you mean. I’ve certainly been there before.
rbfigueira
February 06, 2007
Hi,
First off all, let me tell you again that you have great feeling and good stuff :p
Again, the same question:
Can you explain in more deep way the process stage from the OU Wireframes (Main Concepts) to the Design Options (Main Concepts) ?
(The process stage from photoshop to Css Code)
Thanks ;o)
SvT
February 07, 2007
i know english bad, can you translate it to rus?
V.Hormazabal
February 07, 2007
Your work is awesome, the process, the final design, everything
I manage a pet community and you give me ideas (and inspiration) for try to do a better design.
Thank you
I wish have some illustration skills, Im very bad in illustrator :)
Birgit
March 15, 2007
great to have such a detailed insight from the pros, thanks for sharing!