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| < Client Spotlight > |
 One
with
Africa
The One with Africa website
is styled as a travel journal. Mary Ann Merrill,
the site owner, and I spent 6 months bringing her
vision to reality. One with Africa offers customized
journeys to Africa which are hand-crafted by Mary
Ann based on her own African experiences.
With
over 400 pages, and over 3000 customized graphics,
her site uses a unique navigation scheme, hand-drawn
graphics, interactive maps, slideshows, and Flash
motion graphics to send the site user off into
their own virtual African safari. 
"The
website is a testament to both your artistic
and technical talents. I truly don't think anyone
but you could have pulled this off. You put your
heart and soul into this and created something
beautiful and unique. On top of all this you
cheerfully and patiently responded to my limitless
questions, changes and rantings. I will look
back on this process with pride and fondness."
--- Mary Ann Merrill |
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|
 Julie
Mar Needlepoint Designs
This
MIVA Merchant 5 website handles
both retail and wholesale for
Julie Mar Designs. The owner,
Julie Thompson, described herself
as "computer challenged"
and yet she handles her website
daily with minimal effort
including order processing.
I have integrated a newsletter
feature for Julie as well
as coordinated print design
projects to work in tandem
with her website's marketing
features.
"Heather you
are something else. What a memory you
have to be so knowledgeable about so much you
need to know about doing this business."
--- Julie Thompson |
|
 Marie
Bartlett
Marie
lost her web designer and
found Meridian Design.
She's a freelance writer
offering coaching services,
classes and workshops,
and of course, writing
services. Marie's been
with me long enough for
us to have completed two
site redesigns. This latest
version includes a blog
feature and information
about her upcoming published
book.
"I think the website
looks great! I really like the changes. Terrific
job!"
--- Marie Bartlett |
|
 Petite Plus Patterns
My second
Canadian client, Kathleen Cheetham, owner of Petite
Plus, called about a redesign and upgrade. I created
a MIVA Merchant solution for her online store including
both retail and wholesale capabilities and integration
with her Vertical Response newsletter. |
|
 Susan Granados
Susan
is a visual artist living in Asheville and Florida
specializing in collage and altered books. Now
she has a full online presentation fit for the
galleries. |
|
 Nature
Baby Online
Becca Lane gave me a call
about designing an online store to sell organic baby
products to retail customers concerned about natural
parenting while minimizing impact on our environment.
Special features of her store include blog integration,
a newsletter function contained within her own server
(no monthly fees), and dynamic inventory and pricing
control beyond the normal MIVA Merchant capabilities. |
|
 Batik
Butik
Batik Butik is a Canadian company
importing rayon batiks from Bali. I was hired to redesign
their current website and implement a Macromedia Contribute
so they can maintain their website using a system of
library and style sheet functions.
"I'm THRILLLLLLLLLLLED
that you're working on this for me. I
have such confidence in you! Thank God
Sally told me about you."
--- Barb Alexander |
|
 Bent Creek
Institute
The
Bent Creek Institute (BCI) conducts innovative translational
research to discover, develop and validate natural
medicines and integrative strategies for human health
and wellness. I gave them a basic website to give
them a web presence with plans for future expansion. |
|
|
 Sew WOW Magazine
This project was the idea of Joyce Yarling at Waechter's Fine Fabrics. We've created an interactive flipbook that allows users to view all their children's garment kits in a magazine/catalog layout, then click to proceed to the website for ordering and more photos. The flipbook was created using Flash and ActionScript and the retail site was developed using MIVA Merchant 5.5. |
|
 Liz Aiello
Liz Aiello offers voice over services
and comes equipped with an ISDN-ready studio for quick file
delivery. Her website offers video and audio demos along with
an extensive photo gallery of her acting experience. |
|
 Buncombe Buckles
Buncombe Buckles sells hip buckles
made from recycled materials. Celia, the site owner, needed
a way to keep her retail and wholesale clients informed about
her new buckle designs and art & craft events and fairs. The
buckles are linked into her Etsy store for easy purchase. |
|
 Cindy
Waszak Geary Photography
Cindy travels for work and pleasure.
Globe trotting is second nature and she collects memories
of her journeys through black and white photography. She
called needing a site to showcase her work and use as a marketing
tool to approach galleries and other artist reps. This site
includes a blog tool, newsletter integration, and extensive
use of JavaScript and CSS. |
|
 Mija
Fiber Art
The Mija website was a redesign and
rethinking of their previous site. Largely an artist portfolio,
their gallery pages use CSS and JavaScript to provide a rich
user experience incorporating sliding navigation and transparent
windows to display their work. Their global navigation harnesses
CSS to create a drop-down, two level menu consistent in all
major browsers. |
|
 Stratabands
As part of a design team, M Design
produced graphic design concepts, customized interfaces
and functions, and coordinated MIVA coding to help make
their dreams come true. Stratabands produces a unique line
of patterned metal wedding bands using a new process
that won them the MJSA Innovation Award for 2008.
"I can say I've built some
hotrods in the past but this thing is a rocket ship."
--- Steve Wager, site development coordinator |
|
 Benchmark
Fitness
Benchmark
Fitness is a strength training and bodybuilding gym
run by expert Steve "Doc" Marks. This is
the real deal folks. Check out the amazing before & after
pics. Now I've just got to get Doc as comfortable using
his website as he is pumping iron ;-) |
|
 Blessed Botanicals
Blessed
Botanicals is a small organic herbal tea company based
in Western North Carolina. They needed a website to handle
both retail and wholesale clients. I set them up with
MIVA Merchant 5 and added a newsletter feature.
"You are awesome!"
--- Tara Fitzgibbon |
|
 Donna
Price
Donna Price lives and works in Asheville
as an artist with a variety of interests including art in the
garden, art to wear, installations, and metal & wood sculpture.
Eat your art. |
|
 Burr Designs
Julia
Burr is a freelance designer and sculptor living in Black
Mountain. She uses her website as a marketing tool to
develop potential clients and gallery contacts. |
|
 Center for Integrated
Health & Healing
CIHH
contacted M Design for a redesign and content update.
I gave them a new professional graphic standard, reorganized
their content, and added order placement capability
for a short list of recommended products.
"We are extremely pleased with
the design you have created for our new website. You have
taken our thoughts and concepts and translated them into
a visually enticing representation. Of particular note was
your flexibility in assisting us as the project evolved.
We have already received glowing feedback on the quality
of your work. "
--- Juli Stempel, Co-founder |
|
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| >>
Prior Work since 1997 |
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Asheville Bicycle Racing Club
The ABRC
needed a website to serve as an online meeting place for
its members to exchange current information about training
rides, regional races, and other member activities. |
|
Artpaper Inc
Artpaper
Inc was the first online retailer of fine art papers and
our first retail website design. They've been selling specialty
papers online since 1997. This static site was converted
into a dynamic storefront using MIVA Merchant 5 in 2006. |
|
Betty Clark
Betty
needed a website that displayed her fine art, credentials
and be used to market her upcoming events. Simple, professional
and elegant were the criteria for this project.
"The response has been
very very positive. People want to know who did it so your
name is getting around. Thank you so much for your good
work."
--- Betty Clark |
|
Black Mountain Center
for the Arts
BMCA
is a non-profit arts organization which provides arts
and cultural enrichment to Black Mountain and the surrounding
area. M Design provides web hosting and web maintenance
to their existing website. In 2005, we created an online
calendar of events which the BMCA staff can manage and
post all upcoming events in multiple categories. |
|
Black Mountain Iron
Black
Mtn Iron is a family business that creates hand forged
iron works. They needed a website to help attract
new customers for commissions and stock items. |
|
Blue Ridge Bags
& More
Blue Ridge Bags is
an organization that provides employment for people with autism
through the production and sale of reusable and economical canvas
tote bags and Home Teaching Kits. Their website includes two
shopping systems. PayPal integration allows for the sale of goods
produced by their staff. The additional use of a customized Café Press
store provides a variety of products using the artwork of Blue
Ridge Bags employees.
"I have had several colleagues
who work for TEACCH or are involved in autism comment on
how well the organization was presented or that the visuals
were really clear...I just think you did a great job making
us look like an organized business with good products.
Thanks again!!"
-- Sara |
|
Blue Ridge Web
Market
Meridian
Design was hired to design a more functional
version of the original website. Our work included
new graphics and interactive navigation, multi-feature
search functionality, a user interface for booth
construction with coordinated help files, and
search engine strategy. |
|
City Foreign Auto
The CFA website
is a simple presentation of basic company information, what
services they provide, links to their vendors and suppliers,
and a contact form to help users locate foreign auto parts. |
|
Complements to
the Chef
Complements
has been selling cookware and related items online since
1997. When they came to Meridian Design they needed a
redesign of their existing website to make it function
better with search engines and make it more user friendly.
This site was converted to a MIVA Merchant 4 site in
2005.
(site
closed)
"You work above and beyond!"
--- Tex Harrison |
|
The Dirty Hoe
The Dirty
Hoe offers landscaping and gardening services for residential
and commercial clients in Western North Carolina. We developed
a simple website to showcase their work, detail their services,
and provide more information about their staff and crew.
"I’ve been meaning
to tell you that we’re getting lots of business suddenly
via the website. or folks see our trucks around town and
track us down via the website. and they ALL comment on
how much they like the site. Just wanted to pass that along.
You’ve definitely been able to present the dirty
hoe mostly as we are, and folks are employing us because
of that. So THANK YOU!"
--- Heidi Zednik |
|
The Getaway
The Getaway
is a cabin for rent in the Wolf Resort area near Mars Hill,
NC. The owners needed a website to coordinate with print
ads and provide more information. This site includes custom
Flash motion graphics, a reservations calendar, newsletter
function, submission forms for queries by prospective renters,
and a real-time weather tool. (site
closed)
"You have been great to
work with!"
--- Anne Marie Hager |
|
F.I.R.S.T.
FIRST is
a resource center for parents and families of children
with disabilities. M Design was hired to redesign their
current website including a new graphic standard, enhanced
functionality, and a PDF downloadable library. Added features
include integrated PayPal donations and blog. This website
was accessibility tested using Watchfire.
"Thanks so much. Not
sure what I would do without you."
--- Janet Price-Ferrell |
|
Joe Chris Robertson
Joe
Chris Robertson was a prolific printmaker and painter
until a stroke ended his productive career as an artist
in 1992. His wife, Donna Robertson, came to us to create
a website to showcase Joe Chris as an artist and poet
with additional information about his printmaking processes
and an integrated PayPal shopping cart for the sale
of his prints.
"Yeah! Yeah! Whoopee! I think
it is a beautiful site. Thank you so much. It couldn't have
become a reality without all of your expertise and work."
--- Donna Robertson |
|
Heidi Zednik
Heidi
is a visual artist living in Asheville, NC.
She specializes in printmaking, collage and
painting. Her website includes her portfolio,
full artist information including resume,
bio and statement, with links and other information
about her limited edition projects. |
|
Mountain Visions Photography
This
website is owned by a photographer who creates
both nature photography and wedding packages.
We had already completed a website to market
his nature photography classes when he asked
us to redesign his wedding photography website.
He wanted two things: an updated professional
look and more clients. |
|
New York Block Exchange
NYBE specializes
in supplying engines and transmissions. We were
called in for Search Engine Optimization. While the various
domains owned by NYBE were doing quite well, the owners wanted
more quantity and qualified traffic. In three months, we were
able to increase their traffic 4X and obtain high ranking placement
in all major search engines. (site
closed) |
|
P. O'Connor Puppets
Pamella O'Connor has
been a professional theatre artist for 28 years. She has produced,
directed and performed traditional as well as puppet theatre.
Her website showcases her talents and experience and offers downloadable
photos for the press, performance schedules, and links to performance
venues to purchase tickets. |
|
RACEWEEK
RACEWEEK is a magazine
publishing NASCAR news and photos from a unique point of view.
They needed a website to attract potential distributing agents,
receive applications, allow for the uploading of writers articles
and photos, and have a shared FTP space to coordinate their team
efforts. (site
closed)
"Thanks for your help, the
nice design, your quick work, thinking about security and
for doing exactly what I asked."
--- Bill Taylor
|
|
ReVisions
The ReVisions website
is a MIVA-driven site that showcases the products and work of
Diane Ericson, an independent sewing pattern designer. It includes
an integrated newsletter function with archive, custom Flash
motion graphics, and ordering capabilities for both retail and
wholesale customers. Extensive training has been provided
so this site can be maintained by the site owner.
"Everyone loves the site....your
ears should be burning girl! "
--- Diane Ericson |
|
A Sense of Humor
A MIVA
Merchant 5 website featuring humorous products for retail
customers. Includes an integrated newsletter feature with
archive section. This site is handled by the owners, a
husband-wife dynamic duo.
"She made it so easy even
a computer-idiot like me can manage it! Seriously,
she’s great to work with! She came highly
recommended by some other folks we asked for a bid."
--- Keller Anne Knight |
|
Stonecrest Resources
When Mark came
to M Design needing website development, it took some time
to figure out just how to present his business online. Stonecrest
doesn't sell a product, doesn't need a calendar of events,
or a database-driven solution. In fact, Mark makes his living
providing consulting services to other businesses to make them
stronger and more efficient. His website reflects the diversity
of the services he provides and has an integrated newsletter
feature with archived additions. (site
closed) |
|
Stumpy Beavers Stump Grinding
Bill
needed something to simple with a little
video and some before & after shots.
We got this stie together quick and painless. |
|
True Vision Institute
The True Vision
Institute strives to help people to go beyond their visual
perception of beauty, working to enhance the wellspring of
their creativity and inner vision. Their website includes an
events calendar which the client maintains, several forms for
various requests, testimonials, guestbook, and an integrated
PayPal donations function. (site
closed) |
|
Waechter's Silk Shop
Waechter's
is the oldest fabric store in America and
has been operating since 1929. Sally Hickerson,
the owner of the company, came to us because
she said she could trust us. We quickly
developed her website and have been maintaining
it ever since. In
2004, Joyce Yarling became the new owner
and we worked together to convert the store
over to a MIVA 4 database-driven shopping
site. Sales
are up, Joyce and her staff handle her
online store effortlessly, and the Waechterettes
are learning to blog. Welcome to the 22nd
century.
"If you like hugs consider
yourself getting a psychic sent hug through the vapors.
You are so clever. Glad you are on my team."
--- Joyce Yarling
Winner of the December
2001 User-Friendly Fabric Site Award presented by Fabrics.net |
|
Warren Wilson Art Department
Gwen Diehn,
Department Chair, gave us a call to redesign and update
their website immediately. It seems their initial website
had not only never been completed, but also never been
updated. They needed something that would tell potential
students all about their visual arts programs and have
a graphic design comperable to other university art departments.
"I LOVE what you did with the
moving pictures."
--- Gwen Diehn |
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