Another attempt at defining the CaeraKirsch brand

The CaeraKirsch Philosophy

Updated March 21, 2007 by Valerie Anderson

I derive my enjoyment of web development from having the regular opportunity to explore words such as lex, lexicons, primers, legends, esoteric, composition, arrangement.  The twists I have had thrown at me being a bass player and having people initially believe me to be some type of fisherman is forever fascinating to me and typically entertaining for all those involved with the definition glitch that occurs when using only text to deliver a message.

Therefore, each time I begin to develop a site, I try to borrow my client’s “voice” and personality and weave together a web site that not only has some semblance of attractiveness, but more importantly is useable by the visitors.

I will test these web sites using various browsers and computers in an effort to contribute to the Internet Accessibility initiatives and constantly educate myself on these types of global effects.

I limit how much java script I include in the design, because users are beginning to attach script blockers to their sites which can render a site virtually useless.

I will not put a flash page on the front page of a site.  Not only are many people still using dial-up, it is a missed opportunity to display more information to both the visitor and the algorithms busy counting and re-counting the number of words on each page.

The word count game run by the various algorithms out there is important to me because it is something that should be important to my client…except in extra-ordinary circumstances.  Typos happen.  Not everyone knows the difference between the search bar and the address bar in a browser.  This can be addressed during the development process.  Some of my clients have highly unique names while others are competing against some very popular keywords.

I always do my best to give each site a healthy send-off into the search engines and then monitoring the results of the efforts.  I know my designs may not be as user-friendly as originally believed, which is why I am a developer rather than a designer or content developer.

Most of all, I make sure my clients have an enjoyable experience while we develop their website.  It can happen where we have to communicate 3 times in a 2 hour time period, but I also try to leave the speed of the development in the hands of my client as well.  There are perhaps thousands of small decisions that must be made and as long as we smile through the process, then combined with the final approval to go live, I take a moment to think to myself “Job done well, Anderson!”

I realize this is a text-heavy philosophy*, however each of these points are very influential on how I approach developing a web site for hire and believe this can be discovered while reviewing my portfolio.  Although I tend to work with templates, I do not typically use the same one over and over again and simply swapping out the graphics and text.  Each one has its own identity…its own image…its owner’s message…

So I leave you with this question to ponder.

Since there’s always room for growth, both individual and professionally, how will you live life differently today?

Always United the Terica Way,

Valerie Serendipity Anderson
on behalf of Caera Kirsch Designs

* There I go breaking my own K-I-S-S rule, but that’s the artist in me!