Silverlight Assessment Website
University End of Module Assessment (Networked Multimedia)
Task: Create a website relating to a chosen research topic incorporating various Silverlight elements
Technologies: Silverlight (XAML & C#), HTML, CSS, Javascript, Expression Web, Expression Encoder, Expression Blend, Photoshop
Date: April 2012
Group Silverlight project. Focused on Audio Streaming Technologies.
Includes Silverlight animation, embedded videos and interactive Silverlight display object.
Also features CSS rollovers and Javascript image selection.
Flash Assessment Project
University End of Module Assessment (Interactive Multimedia)
Task: Create a Flash application demonstrating various functionalities
Technologies: Flash, Actionscript 3, HTML/CSS, Photoshop
Date: April 2012
To assess our learning during the Interactive Multimedia module we were tasked with creating a full Flash application. I chose to create an educational package relating to recycling.
The program is split into 3 sections: information, quiz and game.
The information section is just a series of pages/slides, which the user navigates through linearly (using button clicks). It also includes embedded Flash videos.
The quiz section is similar to the information one, however the user must answer a series of questions (again using button clicks) before they can navigate to the next page. A response message is dynamically displayed depending on whether their answer was correct or not. A cumulative score is tracked through the quiz and a message is displayed at the end showing their total and some text which depends on in which range the score falls.
The game is a drag and drop game, where the user must drag images of various objects into the correct recycling bin. The object images are each displayed randomly from a set of 9 (3 objects of 3 different categories) – this was done by generating 2 random numbers (one for the category and one for the object) and dynamically loading the corresponding image into an empty movieclip object. The game has a timer of 60 seconds to add an element of challenge and immediacy. Again, a score is tracked through the game and displayed with an appropriate text message at the end of the game.
The visual elements of the application are quite basic as the focus was on functionality. However, now that the framework is built the graphic objects can easily be replaced with some more attractive ones.
There are a few bugs, but these are easily fixed.
I have embedded the application in a basic HTML page for online viewing (available here), however it was exported as a Flash application as well.
HTML/CSS/Javascript Assessment Website
University End of Module Assessment (Web Programming)
Task: Create a website to promote a Web Programming course
Technologies: XHTML, CSS, Javascript, Expression Web, Photoshop
Date: December 2011
This was the final assessment exercise for my Web Programming class. The brief was to create a site advertising the module as a short summer course – using as many examples of HTML, CSS and Javascript as possible.
I incorporated Javascript slideshows, rollovers and form validation. I also included an HTML image map (combined with a rollover feature).
The styling is simple and fairly neutral so as to appeal to a wide audience.
The full site can be browsed here: http://alexjcurrie.heliohost.org/webprogramming.
Up The Villa Website and Header
Client: Up the Villa
Task: Style the existing WordPress-based website.
Technologies: HTML, CSS, Photoshop
Date: August 2011 – March 2012
This was another job for David Grimble, Up the Villa is his main website.
This job began in August 2011 but has been ongoing since then, including most recently when the underlying WordPress theme was changed leading to a complete re-skinning.
The initial task was to style the existing site to make it more recognizable as an Aston Villa fan site. I changed the colour scheme to match the team’s strips (claret, sky blue and yellow). I created a background image incorporating the chequered pattern found on the team’s shorts. I also made a header image, which includes the club crest and the existing UTV logo; to this I added an image of Aston Villa fans, which I altered with some Photoshop filters.
I also added in some widgets (such as a Twitter feed) and generally made the site more appealing.
At the start of 2012, David wanted to change the site’s base theme for something more compatible with PPC ads (in line with their business strategy). I did this, installing a new ad-optimised theme (HeatMap). I then modified the theme skin to roughly match what the site looked like before. Again, I used the same header and background images. I also modified the link colours and made a few adjustments to the site spacing and layout.
Below are screenshots of the site(s):
Previous Version
Latest Version
WISH Website
Home Page
Company: WISH (Women in Sport and Health), Alloa
Task: Website design, implementation and training a small working group to maintain site
Technologies: WordPress, CSS, HTML, Photoshop/GIMP
Dates: February 2011 – October 2011
WISH are a support group for women in Clackmannanshire. They have recently relaunched as a social enterprise; as such they felt they needed a website to generate some extra publicity, as well as keeping current members informed of upcoming events and recent news.
I was asked to develop a site, which is easy to use and easy to maintain. Since the group whole will be in charge of site upkeep are not particularly technically-minded, WordPress seemed like the best option. It can easily be used as a CMS and the back-end is fairly self-explanatory and intuitive. I think with a few hours of training, they should be able to post updates and perform all necessary maintenance (clearing media, checking comments, etc.).
They wanted a clean design. It had to be slightly ‘girly’ as it is for a women’s group, hence the pink and purple colour scheme. They also requested Comic Sans as the font, as this matches all their other publicity material.
The design is based on the Evolve theme, as I really liked how everything is laid out. It also has plenty of customisation options. I also liked the slideshow of recent posts in the header.
The site is not live yet, as hosting has yet to be approved by the committee, however it should be online in the very near future.
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- Header
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- Footer
Reachout With Arts in Mind Website
Company: Reachout With Arts In Mind, Alloa
Task: Website design, implementation and maintenance
Technologies: WordPress, CSS, HTML, Photoshop/GIMP, Facebook
Dates: March 2010 – Present
Reachout With Arts in Mind is a members-led arts group catering for those affected by mental health issues. In the last year or so, they – along with many other voluntary sector groups – have been affected by the economic conditions and are now converting to a social enterprise. It is hoped that this move make them less dependent on external funding and allow them to continue providing a vital service to local people.
I was brought in as an IT volunteer. I noticed the opportunity for wider promotion through online exposure. They had a website, however it was very basic and long neglected.
This new website is a hosted WordPress.com blog. Despite being “out of the box”, it meets Reachout’s current requirements, which are to promote the project and keep people up to date with workshops and events being held at the base. I needed a system which was easy for people with no website maintenance experience to update, hence WordPress with its excellently intuitive CMS/back-end seemed like a perfect solution.
The site is based on the same free WordPress theme (Mystique) as my personal website, with a custom background image and header banner.
To further expand Reachout’s web-presence, I also set up a Facebook page to target the large number of members already using the social network. This has served as an excellent message board for quick updates, sharing pictures and for bringing members together. The website is directly linked to Facebook and vice-versa so people are never left out of the loop.
This is an ongoing project, as I am still in charge of updating the site and general maintenance. I will train the Reachout staff how to do this in the near future.
