iamdash.net
The things I am
I am Dave Ashman, a web developer and occasional designer living in Greater Manchester, UK. My work focuses on the development of accessible, standards-based web sites, from front- and back-end build through to custom content management systems and WordPress integration and customisation…
I develop websites for small to medium sized businesses as well as maintain and develop my own content management system (based on the CakePHP framework), which I have deployed for use on several websites and intra- and extranets.
I have been working with the web in some way shape or form since immigrating to the UK from Cape Town in early 2003. My last position, before saying goodbye to the world of full-time employment, was as senior developer at ico Design Consultancy where I had had held the position for four years.
While at ico, I had the opportunity to work on some brilliant projects ranging from front end development for The Wellcome Collection, run by the Wellcome Trust, and the National Railway Museum through to CMS and web-based software development and technical production and management for “The Science Of… Survival“ interactive exhibition.
Apart from the obvious web development side of things, the variety of tasks and varying levels of involvement in each project at ico exposed me to all sides of a project, such as dealing with clients or managing a team of developers. You can read more about my overall skill set in the services pane.
To request a full CV, or if you would simply like to find out more about me and what I have to offer, then please feel free to get in touch.
The things I can do
Web development
- (x)HTML and HTML5
- This is the backbone of any web page, and I only create standards compliant, search engine friendly and accessible code
- CSS and JavaScript
- All the visual bells and whistles used that make your site sing
- PHP, MySQL and CMS development
- Whether it be a simple contact form or fully-fledged CMS (content management system) to help you manage the content of your site
Other
Competent on the Unix and Mac command line for server and system admin and for Subversion, my version control system of choice.
Server management using Parallels Plesk as well as Ensim.
Network management with OSX Server and fully competent in OSX administration.
Although my strengths lie in web development, I have a good eye for design, and have taken a project from design brief, through the natural design development and iterations to completion and programmatic implementation.
The things I have done
The Big Society Network
Development of a Wordpress based site for The Big Society Network.
The website’s design, structure and functionality was conceived and by Sidekick Studios.
- CSS
- HTML
- Javascript (jQuery)
- PHP (Wordpress customisation)
Vinspired Voicebox
I was sole developer on the interactive website for the BIMA award-winning interactive installation, Voicebot, a robot that communicated with a website to write out messages ("What do you care about?") submitted by visitors. The robot was placed in Parliament for a week in front of MPs and photos of each message written out were then uploaded to flickr.
Concept and idea by Sidekick studios. The design was conceptualised and completed by ico Design’s interactive design team.
- CSS
- HTML
- Javascript (jQuery)
- PHP (Bespoke CMS)
- Flickr integration
Red Letter Days Corporate Events
A content managed website for the Corporate Events arm of Red Letter Days.
I designed and developed all creative aspects of this project. The site is based on my bespoke, personally developed CMS which the web content team use to keep it updated with news, events and promotions.
As well as the front- and backend development of this site, I also took the design from brief to concept, and from concept through to final design and programmatic implementation.
- CSS
- HTML
- Javascript (jQuery)
- PHP (Bespoke CMS)
- Visual design
Ladybird Books
ladybirdreadityourself.com http://ladybirdreadityourself.com/
The website was used to promote Ladybird Book’s series of Read It Yourself books. The concept was a series of quizzes based on twelve fairy tales that a child could complete, and they were then entered into a quiz once they had completed all of them.
I developed the full front-end of this site and the CMS that was used to manage the content, quizzes and competition entries.
The design was conceptualised and completed by ico Design’s interactive design team.
- CSS
- HTML
- Javascript (jQuery)
- PHP (Bespoke CMS)
Hatmatic
Design and development of a Wordpress based site for Hatmatic Ltd, a digital business consultancy.
The project involved visual design, front end development and customisation and skinning of a bare-bones Wordpress theme.
- CSS
- HTML
- Javascript (jQuery)
- PHP (Wordpress customisation)
- Visual design
Ubyu Books
Part- back- and front-end template development for Ubyu Books, an online self-publishing service.
The site is currently in Beta (as of 11/10) with full launch scheduled for the end of November, 2010.
The design was conceptualised and completed by ico Design’s interactive design team.
- CSS
- HTML
- Javascript (jQuery)
- PHP
IPS Auction
Design and development of a Wordpress based site for the annual International Pony Showcase and Auction that takes place at Aintree Racecourse.
The project involved visual design, front end development and skinning of a bare-bones Wordpress theme as well as heavy backed customisation to wrangle Wordpress into submission to suit the clients requirements.
- CSS
- HTML
- Javascript (jQuery)
- PHP (Wordpress)
- Visual design
National Railway Museum
This was a fairly large scale project which involved the design and development of around 25 different templates which I helped integrate with the NMSI’s CMS as part of the National Railway Museum’s online rebrand.
The design was conceptualised and completed by ico Design’s interactive design team.
- CSS
- HTML
- Javascript (jQuery)
ico Design
Full front- and back-end develpment of ico design’s company website.
The site sits on top of a bespoke CMS that we built in house.
The design was conceptualised and completed by ico Design’s interactive design team.
- CSS
- HTML
- Javascript (jQuery)
- PHP (Bespoke CMS)
Ask me something
I am currently available for web design and development work. If you think there is something I can do for you, then please get in touch to see how I can help.
T: +44(0)77 398 36408
