Designing for Dames

Meet David Moorhead, Graphic & Web Designer

In every profession, there are standards of performance. With the advent of the Internet and its subsequent emergence of highly sophisticated technology to make websites such as mine ‘work,’ graphic designers are quickly becoming the gurus of novices such as I. To most males, computers are likened to their best friend, but for females… more likened to battling a formidable foe on a foggy frightening field.

Little did I know twenty-plus years ago when I first witnessed David playing piano at choir rehearsal that he would quickly become both best friend and, eventually, my sainted web designer! I must say I was devastated when he retired from a successful career as concert pianist, leaving my world of music barren, but another type of keyboard was calling him to new, more challenging realms. During the years between, however, we worked together in administering my corporate ventures and civic duties until my retirement in 2004.

When David relocated to another city, we continued our ‘virtual’ business relationship via phone and computer. He constantly encouraged me to create a website, but the very thought seemed totally overwhelming. The inflatable but harmless computer hammer a friend had given me years earlier had long since worn out, so finally I succumbed and tiptoed into the process, leery of my ability to comprehend even the basics. By investing my faith one more time in the male gender and his toys—voila!—Lynne has a global address and an enviable presence in the ethers. And you can have one, too!

Even if you’re slow to trust as I was, I just learned that there’s a ‘grade card’ for graphic designers that most of us don’t know about. Should you be shopping for help with your website, here’s a hint on finding competence in the plethora of choices:

The new icon ‘W3C’ appearing on my web pages means that my site, thanks to David, is error free. I’m not just referring to typos here. Behind the scenes of my or any website is an intricate and far-reaching maze of mystical symbols and codes that link us to the greater world via various browsers, search engines, and other ‘bots I know not of.

Although they appear to operate the same, the differences in software can drastically alter the way a site appears on the screen (or much worse). But a good designer can and does monitor these and many other design factors and, if as good as David, compensates, corrects, checks and re-checks their work for conformance to generally accepted industry and professional standards.

Although physically separated by hundreds of miles, David and I are able to perform a weekly virtual computer duet via our keyboards and telephones. With both our monitors simultaneously open on my site, he orchestrates from his office the additions, corrections, changes, graphics, colors, text, links, and much more while all I have to do is push one button in my office and watch his magic appear on my screen! Not only is that a miracle, but he’s also patient, tutorial, understanding, and forgiving in his sincere efforts to shine the spotlight on me. Bravo, David! Congratulations on your W3C rating!

site design standard