I doodle. A lot. As I sit in meetings, as I watch TV, pretty much whenever I’ve got a pen and some paper. Sometimes I scribble and see something in the mess, sometimes I set out to draw something specific. It’s something I really enjoy and I thought I’d start posting them here. I’ve also started a Zazzle store where I make my doodles into t-shirts and coffee cups. If you like the doodles, leave a comment, I’d love to hear from you.
I design web sites. I ask questions like “who is this site for?” and “what do you want them to do?” and “how will you know if the site is a success?” I find out what kind of information people want on their site and help them organize it so the “who” and find the “what” and get on with the “doing.” I sketch the interface with pencil or pen and then mock it up in Photoshop. I slice it up and mark it up with HTML and CSS. I make it do nifty stuff with javascript.
I program web applications. If a site connects to a database, I’ll write the asp, php or rails code that makes it go and test it to make sure it works.
I do search engine optimization. When the site is up, I make sure that title tags sync with body copy and the headline. I make sure anchor text contains your most important keywords. I’ll help you install Google Analytics and Google Webmaster Tools and show you how they work and what they’re telling you.
I turn it up to 11. When the computer is away, I plug in my iPod and crank up some Slayer, Slipknot or Lamb of God. Nothing beats machine-gun double-bass drums (in my opinion, anyway). Sometimes I grab my guitar and make noise. It’s fun. I’m not great, but it doesn’t matter. Johnny Ramone was a crappy guitar player but he made up for it with attitude.
Isn’t that what it’s all about? Having an opinion and expressing it? If you don’t say what’s on your mind, no one will know if you’re right or you’re wrong…not even you.