Education, Skills & Work Experience

David John Farmer - Curriculum Vitae

PERSONAL COMMENT

I consider myself to be hard working, punctual and reliable, I am confident that this will continue throughout future careers.

Since 1998 I have had a keen interest in the Internet and Web design. I directed my education at gaining a maximum amount of knowledge in this area and since leaving University, I have concentrated fully on applying my knowledge.

There are many web designers and developers that specialise in only one area, but I have always believed you can't master one area without a full knowledge of the other; I am confident in both Web design and development.

Recent projects have been constructed using advanced CSS skills and XHTML, using PHP and MySQL relational databases to power any dynamic content, I have also integrated Flash and JavaScript features into these designs.

Looking forward I aim to continue using CSS and XHTML to build large scale W3C compliant Web sites that feature, interactive multimedia, video streaming and sound.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Internet Business Solutions Ltd (April 2007 - )

Web Development & Design - Full Time
Radway Green Business Park, Alsager, Staffordshire/Cheshire

Internet Business Solutions is a professional web design and development company. My role within the company is to project manage and develop both large and small scale web sites.

Cyberzia Ltd (March 2005 - April 2007)

Web Development & Design - Full Time
Longton, Stoke-on-Trent

Cyberzia Ltd is a small, yet international, web design company who specialise in the design and development of bespoke Web sites and offer additional services such as hosting and search engine optimisation etc.

My role within the company was that of a designer, who could program and manage database development. I departed from Cyberzia to work for Internet Business Solutions Ltd.

COLLECTIBLE WORLD STUDIOS (March 2004 - July 2005)

Web Designer - Full Time
Hanley Business Park, Cooper Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent

At Collectible World Studios I worked alongside a web designer and an IT developer, between ourselves we designed, organised and developed online marketing strategies and eCommerce tools.

I initially started the role as a web designer, but as my time with the company progressed I found myself not only designing the front end of many of the sites, but debugging, programming and maintaining many of the back-end applications and databases. I finally ended up specialising in the integration of the web site as not only cam I design, but I can also program. At Collectible World Studios nobody previously could bridge this gap.

For a reference please contact Ruth Tudhope (Marketing Director) or Nicola Glover (Web Designer) on 01782 212885.

BET365 (Sept 2003 - March 2004)

Technical Support Assistant - Full Time
Festival Way, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent

I began working at Bet365 as a customer services operator in their call centre, however, after a short period of time I was transferred to their technical support department due to my qualifications and knowledge of software, hardware and networking.

My position involved working within a small team that administrated, maintained and regularly upgraded a constantly expanding network and a large quantity of load-balanced web servers. I also controlled back-up storage and gave general support to all company sites (including over fifty bookmaker shops).

For a reference please contact Lee Paramore (Call Centre) on 08000 323365 or Jon Douglas (Tech Support) on 01782 684774.

WICKES DIY (July 2000 - June 2002)

General Sales Assistant And Cashier - Part Time
Victoria Rd, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent

WM MORRISONS (June 1999 - June 2000)

General Sales Assistant - Part Time
Festival Park, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent

BERKSHIRE CHINA (Aug 1998 - Sept 1998)

Kiln Emptier And General Labourer - Full Time
King Street, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent

EDUCATION

STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY (2000 - 2003)

BA(Hons) Interactive Multimedia
Leek Road, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent

During my first year at University the work that I did was mostly at an introductory level. Fundamental principles in HTML, Visual Basic, Microsoft Office and Macromedia software were learnt alongside many multimedia and design concepts.

Throughout my second year at University, I developed many new skills and further developed others. ColdFusion and ASP, 3D Studio Max, Adobe Photoshop and ActionScript have now all be learned and the principles of which are understood.

My final year development applied to projects with much more scope. New skills leant include knowledge of PHP and MySQL along with concepts such as Design Space Analysis, Database Modelling and designing for educational and gaming purposes.

STOKE-ON-TRENT SIXTH FORM COLLEGE (1998 - 2000)

GNVQ Advanced Information Technology
City Road, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent

When I first started Sixth Form, I was originally studying 4 A Levels; however after about 11 months of study, I decided that I would rather concentrate fully on a computing qualification, so I changed to the GNVQ award scheme. I completed the award in the remaining 13 months of the two year course, and achieved a ‘Distinction’.

I also achieved 'The Old Hanliensian Prize For GNVQ Advanced Information Technology' for being considered the best at that award.

BLURTON HIGH SCHOOL (1993 - 1998)

GCSE Awards
Beaconsfield Drive, Blurton, Stoke-on-Trent

At high school I achieved 9 GCSE’s at grades A-C, I also achieved many awards while at Blurton High School, but the most significant two were 'The Wedgwood Trophy for Craft Design and Technology' and 'The Tontine Bookshop Trophy for English Language'.

QUALIFICATIONS

2003

• BA (Hons) Interactive Multimedia (2:1)

2000

• GNVQ Adv. Information Technology (Distinction)

1998

• GCSE Mathematics (B)
• GCSE English Language (B)
• GCSE English Literature (C)
• GCSE Dual Award Science (BB)
• GCSE Art (C)
• GCSE CDT (C)
• GCSE Information Technology (C)
• GCSE History (A)

SKILLS

Programming & Scripting Languages:

PHP

PHP is one of my main skills, I have used it for web developments both large scale and small, everything from simple email contact forms, to full bespoke e-commerce systems.

ASP

I have used ASP for a few small projects; a holiday brochure ordering system and an email manager. I initially started using ASP, but having used both ColdFusion and PHP, and found them more powerful, robust and easier to work with, I have neglected it over recent years.

ASP.NET

ASP.NET is something I am becoming more familiar with, several projects have involved me working with design aspects of .NET controls, but I am yet to build a web site using ASP.NET from scratch.

ColdFusion

After using ASP for a while I switched to ColdFusion. After building a children's online swap shop (a basic eBay clone) and a few other small projects, I decided to look into other languages as hosting was too expensive and inaccessible.

HTML/XHTML

There is very little I don't know about HTML and XHTML, as I've been building sites over the years I have leant more and more. I am now developing all of my sites to W3C compliant standards, and writing less to the browser through the use of advanced CSS.

CSS

Recent projects have involved me using enhanced CSS techniques in order to speed up both development and design time. I also aim to make the sites accessible on mobile devices (such as smart-phones and PDA's) and for disabled users using specialist software.

JavaScript

Over the years I have used JavaScript on many sites, but I tend to only use it where absolutely necessary in order to keep sites as cross-browser compatible as possible.

MySQL

As I've been using PHP as my main scripting language MySQL was the obvious choice of database due to it's integration with PHP and it's accessibility online. I have built small scale databases, and large relational databases intended for the storage and querying of mass amounts of data.

MS SQL

I have used MS SQL on only a few occasions, mainly due to it's cost. However, I am confident that if required I could comprehensively build large scale applications using a MS SQL database.

Macromedia:

Flash & ActionScript

I have used Macromedia Flash to develop fully interactive Web applications and interactive features such as online games. I have also used Flash's actionscript and streaming abilities to help distribute media online, including video emails, audio streaming and image galleries.

Fireworks

I'm confident with Fireworks, I have a good knowledge of it's capabilities. Image rollovers, animations, and JavaScript behaviours have all been applied to different sites, however I tend to hand-code the JavaScript rather than use pre-built scripts supplied with Fireworks as they reduce download time, and can be adapted more easily for future enhancements.

Dreamweaver

I tend to steer away from developing sites entirely with Dreamweaver. I use it for initial ground work, but then switch to hand-coding to give me more control over the HTML & scripting (usually PHP).

Authorware & Director

I have built several CDROM based presentations using Director and Authorware, although basic, these projects allowed me to learn the fundamental principles behind their use, I would feel confident developing larger scale CDROM based multimedia presentation using these softwares.

Adobe:

Photoshop

Photoshop, for me, is the starting point with any Web design project. Designing a complete concept of what the final product will look like is, what I would class as, essential. My skills with Photoshop are extensive, there are very few areas of it's use that I am yet to work with.

Image Ready

Once completing a concept design for a Web site using Photoshop, I tend to use Image Ready to slice up the layers in the Photoshop document. I have also used Image Ready for animating images, and producing heavily compressed graphics.

Other Software & Technologies:

3D Studio Max, Paintshop Pro, Gimp, MetaCreations Painter, Poser, Bryce, Microsoft Office, Visual Basic, FrontPage, HomeSite, Skype, P3P Policies, SSL, IIS, Hardware & Networking

Concepts & Other Skills:

Typography

The art of using Typography effectively on multimedia projects is a skill that I personally think I excel at. When I've been given a 'blank canvas' to start with, the fonts that I've chosen for the project have always been legible, yet convey a sense behind the purpose or direction of the project.

Human Computer Interaction

I have studied the works of various psychologists and I understand the principles behind human computer interaction. I tend to design sites with very simple primary navigation, and have a enhanced secondary navigation, with any specific information being drilled down for. I believe that individual pages should never be more than '3 clicks away' and these '3 clicks' should be very straight-forward following users cognitive models.

Photography

Professional photography can turn a basic Web site into a professional, corporate business image. I have on many occasions visited clients with a digital camera and tripod, and taken photographs of showrooms, attractions and staff for inclusion within their project.

Media Compression

Sometimes having the best media can make Web sites look professional, but without applying the correct level of compression to the media users will not hang around to watch or listen to it. I have compressed both audio and video, I've also streamed media over the Internet using various techniques.

Graphic Design

Designing a Web site layout, sometimes, isn't enough. Graphics and logo's can help to boost the aesthetics of a Web site tremendously. Designing graphics in a way that can best benefit a Web site or multimedia project is a skill that can take years to master, especially when linked to marketing. I am confident in my graphic design abilities.

Search Engine Optimisation

A Web site purely for good looks is pointless, to make a healthy return a Web site needs to be found on search engines. Using various techniques I have boosted the search engine position of many sites, some of which have achieved 1st page ranking results. I consider myself to be a specialist in search engine optimisation.

Search Engine Promotion

Sometimes search engine optimisation is not enough and services such as Google AdWords, and Overture are required to boost traffic to a Web site. I have had experience with many of these 'pay per click' promotion schemes.

Internet Marketing

Along with search engines, promotion can be done via affiliate schemes and by boosting inbound links. Other marketing opportunities can arise though ecard systems, newsletter management systems and 'refer a friend' programs. I have built or worked with each of these techniques in marketing a Web site or series of Web sites.

INTERESTS

The sports that I most enjoy are 5-a-side football, golf, cycling, snooker and pool. But other than sporting activities I enjoy reading, film and listening to music. I also plan to take up part time studies for a qualification in photography.