Send me your design docs.
I send you back working-pure-thin-valid-accessible XHTML, CSS, JS for your custom website or ready-to-go templates and themes for blogs like WordPress or sites like Twitter. These are EXACT working versions of your designs.
I need fresh portfolio material special deal
$50 special deal to first 5 2 people/companies to request deal.
1 layout/design including javascript/jQuery UI interactivity.
Rates
Convert 1 layout/design to XHTML/CSS $100
Pure markup/css template
With javascript/jQuery add $50
Includes rollovers, dynamic menus, and other UI related interactivity
Each layout in same design after first add $50/25
i.e. home layout, section index layout, content layout, etc...
Same design but different layout variants
$50 for 2nd and $25 for 3rd+
Placing and marking up content on same layouts ~$10/page
i.e. (5) pages in same 'section' layout ~$50
Not applicable for the first page of that layout
Fluid layouts add $25.
As WordPress Theme add $200.
Requests for non-framework JS quoted and billed hourly.
Special requests quoted prior to beginning work.
Prices may vary (up or down) depending on quantity and complexity of work but I find these rates cover most circumstances.
Pre-flight checklist
REMEMBER: If it isn't indicated in the design docs it will not be in the deliverables. While I am a nice guy who will work with you I am ultimately not responsible for adding/creating/interpretting vague or missing design elements.
-
Design docs to send:
-
Original design(s) (layered original copy preferred)
- PSD
- AI
- INDD
- Aviary files
- Just about anything that is clean enough to extract art from, but again layered original docs are preferred
- Flattened mockups and samples of multiple menu/nav/element states and layouts
-
Accompanying text document indicating anything not explicitly shown in PSD
- Active/hover states, form styling, ambiguous elements
-
Original design(s) (layered original copy preferred)
-
What platform/framework are you using?
- I need to know whether you are using PHP, RUBY, HTML and if there is a framework
- If there is a framework I will deliver the ouput ready-to-go for your file structure. See File structure for common frameworks on this page
- If you want a specific file structure different than my defaults (or I have not listed your framework yet) please be specific what your file structure is.
- For the designers: If you don’t know what this all means then just tell me the ISP you use and what hosting plan you have and I will pick the best option.
-
Are there special layout/functionality concerns?
- e.g. that swoopy thing needs to be in front of the menu and content on the home page but behind on every other page
-
If this is a WordPress theme...
- What is the theme name? (e.g. BoB’s theme)
- include in the PSD or this text file how ALL presentation layout should be handled
- be explicit about layout for comments, default sidebars, post date/tag/category/meta information
- anything not indicated will be given layout from the default theme based on "Kubrick" and simply styled to your site
- If in doubt of what is required consult the Theme Template Files List of standard templates in a WordPress theme (about 3/4 way down the page).
- I follow the WordPress Codex Theme Development Checklist for best practices as much as possible. Reviewing it might help you help me help you best.
File structure for common frameworks
These default file structures will be used based on my personal preferences for each output package unless you tell me otherwise. Note that I do not create every directory shown in the samples below. I create what is necessary to deliver the files. This is especially true of the frameworks. You will be delivered a minimal file structure so that you can in theory simply copy the entire structure into your installation for immediate use (not responsible for overwritten files).
Specific file names may vary per installation and are shown below only for reference.
Basic html
-
/_assets
- /images/
- /javascripts/
- /stylesheets/
- /index.html
PHP
-
/_application
- /classes/
- /helpers/
-
/_assets
- /images/
- /javascripts/
- /layouts/
- /stylesheets/
- /index.php
PHP:CodeIgniter
Note that this filestructure requires modifying Line 43 of index.php from "application" to "../application". See more best practice tips for CodeIgniter.
-
/application
-
/views
-
/_templates/
- /layouts/
-
/_templates/
- /helpers/
- /libraries/
- and so on...
-
/views
-
/assets
- /images/
- /js/
- /css/
- /system
- /index.php
RAILS
-
/app
-
/views
-
/layouts/
- default.html.erb
- _partials (specify if necessary for your app)
-
/layouts/
-
/views
-
/public
- /errors/
- /images/
- /javascripts/
- /stylesheets/
WordPress Theme
-
/wp-content
-
/themes
-
/your_theme
- _application/classes/
- _application/libraries/
- _assets/images/
- _assets/javascripts/
- 404.php
- footer.php
- functions.php
- header.php
- index.php
- page.php
- screenshot.png
- search.php
- sidebar.php
- single.php
- style.css
-
/your_theme
-
/themes
Other file structure
If you have a framework not listed here or require a custom framework please create a bullet list like the ones above and be specific.
Why hire me instead of some guy on craigslist?
I like small business.
Honestly I prefer working with small business exclusively.
I have 10 years of experience operating a web and graphic design firm.
I chose to go freelance in order to pursue other projects.
I am creatively motivated, not financially driven.
I charge a reasonable rate working with people and organizations I like.
I do what I do because I enjoy it.
You do too.
Why my rates are so low
I need the money.
And times are tough.
Freelancer partnered with other freelancers. No office. No overhead.
The economy hit me hard like a lot of folks. Many professional decisions in the past few years failed to go as hoped, and now you can benefit from my financial woes with affordable web and graphic design and a variety of new services and sites I am currently building. Heck, if things keep going the way they are I will consider offers to mow lawns and shovel driveways.
And if you don’t think my rates are low consider bartering or sending me your proposal. I am very open to suggestions.

