Ways and Means :: The Tyler Doornbos Webdesign Studio Blog http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog The Weblog of Tyler Doornbos Webdesign. Eat it up. Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:50:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 en Recent Updates http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2009/09/recent-updates/ http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2009/09/recent-updates/#comments Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:44:44 +0000 Tyler Doornbos http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/?p=62 Been another dry spell without a sinlge post — which makes this site feel a little unloved.  Admittedly, I have been having fun with my other blog, The Adventurist (adventurist.posterous.com), where topics can be a little more wide-ranging than the business of web design.  I have not, however, totally forsaken this little guy in favor of that.

So, on to business.  I have a couple of new sites out that you should have a look at:

PhotographerLeads.com – a web application and site built to accompany sister site PhotoPriceQuotes.com, enabling photographers to get hooked up with new clients.

The Rotors — a design I created for a St. Paul, MN-based rock band.

Medical Teams International — standards-compliant XHTML/CSS templates for the CMS of this Portland, OR nonprofit organization.

Also, I’m back in GR! It’s been great to see family, friends and clients in the area again, and I’m looking forward to producing more great content from the beautiful state of Michigan.

]]> http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2009/09/recent-updates/feed/ Homeward Bound? http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2009/05/homeward-bound/ http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2009/05/homeward-bound/#comments Mon, 04 May 2009 17:24:19 +0000 Tyler Doornbos http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/?p=60 It would appear that we are going to be home to Grand Rapids right around the beginning of August. I’m looking forward to seeing all my Grand Rapidians then. Will keep updating as we know more. The thought of face-to-face client meetings just fills my heart with joy. Wooooo!

]]> http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2009/05/homeward-bound/feed/ Updates… Finally http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2009/03/updates-finally/ http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2009/03/updates-finally/#comments Fri, 06 Mar 2009 18:34:06 +0000 Tyler Doornbos http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/?p=57 Wheeeeeew….. it’s been a long time since I updated this thing.  I’ve been kept so consistently busy that this blog was the last thing on my list.  Thanks, thanks, thanks to all the clients who have kept me running constantly caffinated and working like a dog — you guys are great.

I’ve also added a number of new projects to the portfolio, including:

  • Steps to Success / MyKPIs — a cool web app that crunches numbers for auto service centers and helps them improve their bottom line.  See more at shopkpis.com
  • My Business, My Mission — Christian Reformed Church organization that helps people in developing countries start businesses and sustain them, building wealth in impoverished areas.  Check it out at mybusiness-mymission.com
  • KSB Links and KSB Promotions — Twin sites for a book promotions company, really cool and in depth, utilizing my content management system and lots of other fun doodads.  Have a look at ksblinks.com and ksbpromotions.com
  • 1st American Leasing — I built this one for a Grand Rapids, MI-based equipment leasing company, and included a full vendor side with reporting and lots of other utes.  Site is at 1stamleasing.com
  • PhotoPriceQuotes — one-half of a photographer referral site that matches clients up with photography professionals in their area.  Look for photographerLeads.com coming soon.  Visit the site at photopricequotes.com

And finally, Liz and I got a new place in Portland, a very cute upper-floor apartment on the NE side.  Will put pics up on Flickr soon — promise!

-TY

]]> http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2009/03/updates-finally/feed/ Chattin’ with the Cheadle http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2008/11/chattin-with-the-cheadle/ http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2008/11/chattin-with-the-cheadle/#comments Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:05:49 +0000 Tyler Doornbos http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/?p=50 Eric: So you’re still in Montana right?

me: Yeah. We really wanna get to pdx.

Eric: yea, all those hippies too boring for you?

me: Theyre all college students here…. there’s too many frat boys at the bar.

Eric: ew
that sucks

me: Yeah, they are dumb.
Like stumps

Eric: yea, they’re the people that wont understand ericcheadleismymancandy.com
but they don’t have to
because their moms and girlfriends will

]]> http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2008/11/chattin-with-the-cheadle/feed/ Eez Beautiful! http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2008/11/eez-beautiful/ http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2008/11/eez-beautiful/#comments Mon, 24 Nov 2008 03:31:30 +0000 Tyler Doornbos http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/?p=38 So Liz and has been painting a lot (largely because we’re bored and have no friends in Missoula, which has really put a cramp in my binge drinking) and I am incredibly impressed with the results.  She’s painted her first people recently, and they came out marvelously.  The first, inspired by a portrait on Flickr is a shawl-wearing woman, and the second is an very Cheadle-iscious picture of our friend and cousin Chead.  The photos don’t do justice to actual paintings, but you get the drift.  I’m hoping that by the time we return she’ll be able to be my double sugar-mama — both nursing for the steady income and selling paintings to facilitate spur-of-the-moment trips to exotic locales.  Check out he paintings below.

Liz's First Person... Ever.

Liz's First Person...Ever.

About 90% finished and already Cheale-tastic.

About 90% finished and already Cheadle-tastic.

]]> http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2008/11/eez-beautiful/feed/ New Sites to Launch Shortly http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2008/11/new-sites-to-launch-shortly/ http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2008/11/new-sites-to-launch-shortly/#comments Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:50:42 +0000 Tyler Doornbos http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/?p=35 Liz's Newest Painting (at about 90% finished)

Liz's Newest Painting, about 90% finished

Okay, so I have been neglecting this blog pretty bad… just a quick post as I work before I take the time to write something with some depth.  Montana is great, if a little lonely.  Liz is painting like crazy, checkout her latest on the right — I thought it was rad.

Also, I’ve got some killer projects coming out shortly for KSB Promotions (book publicists), Steps to Success (automotive consultants with a cool web app), and Erin Brown (hair stylist getting a slick portfolio).

I’m also working on a new client side to my site, tjd-dsn.com, which will allow clients to manage their projects with ease.  It’ll include comp showing and sign-off, development models and documentation available whenever the client needs it.

Till next time,

TY

]]> http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2008/11/new-sites-to-launch-shortly/feed/ Officially in God’s Country http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2008/10/officially-in-gods-country/ http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2008/10/officially-in-gods-country/#comments Fri, 17 Oct 2008 20:57:07 +0000 Tyler Doornbos http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/?p=28 We are in Missoula, and it is beautiful — like a bite-size Portland with more sun.  We’ve set up a Flickr account to chronicle the journey in photos, to see them go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/tyandliz and leave some comments and stuff!  We miss everyone, but we’re really excited to be here.  Will post more when I have a minute.

Oh, and we’re going to Glacier National Park this weekend! I love it here… now to just convince the fam to move out.

-TY

]]> http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2008/10/officially-in-gods-country/feed/ Less than 48 Hours! http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2008/10/less-than-48-hours/ http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2008/10/less-than-48-hours/#comments Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:38:42 +0000 Tyler Doornbos http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/?p=22 Just a quick post… things have been crazy.  The work is coming in at a breakneck pace right now, and I’m getting pretty swamped in the lead up to Montana — which we’re leaving for on Saturday.  Liz got pranked by her co-workers in the OR today (being her last day and all) and was dumped in a tub, covered in lube and then liberally dusted with baby powder.  Makes me glad I work at home :-)

Oh, and just in case you’re interested, here’s the route and stops we’ll be making on our westward trek.

]]> http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2008/10/less-than-48-hours/feed/ The Official Update http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2008/09/the-official-update/ http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2008/09/the-official-update/#comments Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:16:45 +0000 Tyler Doornbos http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/?p=19 So here’s what I sent to my clients to let them know what was going on this week:

As of September 5, I am no longer with Meijer as a Senior Content Designer and Project Manager.  I have struck out on my own and am working hard to make a go of a career as an independent web designer and entrepreneur.  This path is not the easiest, but the satisfaction of doing what I love all day, every day and the challenge of small business ownership makes this the most satisfying career path I could imagine.

 

In addition, my wife Liz and I are preparing for a move to Missoula, Montana for three months and then will head to a more permanent home in Portland, Oregon.  We are very excited to take this step and are looking forward to the active outdoor lifestyle and incredible natural beauty of the Western U.S.

 

That said, I am still planning on being actively involved with my Michigan clients and being your go-to guy for all your web needs, despite my westward trek.  If you have any concerns about our new working arrangement, please don’t hesitate to call or email.  I’d love to sit down with you and discuss the future of your site and your needs as a business if you like.

 That’s about it, the summary of the next year or so.  Wish us luck!

]]> http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2008/09/the-official-update/feed/ Missoula, T-minus 20 Days and Counting and New Trek 1.2 http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2008/09/missoula-t-minus-20-days-and-counting-and-new-trek-12/ http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2008/09/missoula-t-minus-20-days-and-counting-and-new-trek-12/#comments Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:04:04 +0000 Tyler Doornbos http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/?p=14

Oh, so pretty.

Amped Tyler alert: I just picked up a new Trek 1.2 road bike from Speed Merchants in Rockford, MI and I couldn’t be more amped.  This may be just an entry-level bike, but compared with what I was riding it’s smooth as silk and five times as fast.

Also, we’re heading to Missoula, Montana for 3 months, arriving on October 13.  I’ve been looking it up and this city of almost 1 million souls seems really cool.  Not to far from great snowboarding, many miles of bike trails, and within a few hours of Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks.  Sounds pretty rad if you ask me.  We’re getting prepped to go, then head to Portland not too soon after that.

Now, I know what you’re thinking — how do I get my web needs taken care of with you in Montana? Never fear folks, I’ll be checking in with each and every one of you to be sure we have you covered in the lead up to my leaving, and to set up processes to ensure a smooth transition to our new working arrangement.

]]> http://www.tjd-dsn.com/blog/2008/09/missoula-t-minus-20-days-and-counting-and-new-trek-12/feed/