cathie toshach polaroid picture

The following represents my current body of work. It may seem a bit eclectic at times, but I see it as a rather rounded approach to understanding and designing for people. People like you and me who crave information and don't want anything holding it up, hiding it, or overly complicating it. It can be pretty or even fun just as long as you give it to us straight.

You can also take a look at my résumé if you are so inclined.

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Detroit Center

Jan. 2006 to Dec. 2007 |  detroitcenter.umich.edu

Overview

The Detroit Center website provides online access to information and resources related to the Center. As part of the University of Michigan community, it emphasizes fostering relationships between the campuses and Detroit through partnership, outreach, and education. I took over responsibility for the website shortly after the Center opened and both developed and maintained it during 2006 and 2007.

Contributions

  • Implemented website redesign using Sitemaker, XHTML, CSS, and Javascript.
  • Complied with Section 508 accessibility standards and best practices.
  • Developed online room reservations module.
  • Developed admin controls and reporting tools.
  • Designed and developed events listing and management tool.
  • Created and conducted usability testing and an online survey, the findings for which influenced future design and development plans.

Tools and Methods

  • Content Management Tool, Sitemaker
  • XHTML, CSS, and Javascript
  • On-site and Remote Usability Tests
  • Online surveys

Screenshots

Detroit Center Home Page
Detroit Center Room Request Form Detroit Center Facilities Detroit Center Image Gallery

No Comments | Categories: Usability, Web Design, Work
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Olds Family Website

Fall 2003 |  www.olds-family.com

Overview

Olds-Family.com is a personal project developed in 2003 to feature genealogical information on the Olds family. The website features a number of ancestral profiles, images, and resources. Since it was launched, the website has seen little maintenance and has slowly slipped behind current web standards. I have worked at redesigning the website as a Ruby on Rails project but found the complexity of the genealogical data structure too much for my novice experience. I do, however, still plan to redesign the website, either by simplifying the data model for Ruby or switching to a content management system such as Drupal or Expression Engine.

Screenshots

Olds Family Website - Design Concept
Olds Family Website - Home Page Olds Family Website - Photo Album Olds Family Website - Person Entry

No Comments | Categories: Archives, Digitization, Web Design, Work
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Gourmet 47 Market & Café

Spring 2005 |  www.gourmet47.com

Overview

Gourmet 47 Market & Café is a specialty grocer located in the West Loop neighborhood of Chicago. In early 2005, to coincide with the grand opening, Gourmet 47 commissioned me to produce a website to feature its products and services. The website was designed and produced on a very short timeline in order to take full advantage of the marketing and attention that came along with the grand opening.

Screenshots

Gourmet 47 Market & Cafe - Home Page
Gourmet 47 Market & Cafe - Secondary Page

No Comments | Categories: Web Design, Work
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Liza Moraitis Photography

2004 and 2007 |  www.lizamoraitis.com

Overview

Liza Moraitis is a commercial photographer based in Chicago, Illinois. Liza has a unique and gifted eye for capturing details and revealing the beauty in everyday objects. In keeping with her style and personality, I have collaborated with her on two occasions to produce an online portfolio of her professional, photographic work. The first design was launched in 2004 and in 2007 the website was updated to reflect her growing body of work. The new design concept is centered around showcasing her images and letting the other details of the website recede into the background.

Screenshots

Liza Moraitis Photography - Home Page
Liza Moraitis Photography - Portfolio Page Liza Littlehawk Photography - 2004 Home Page Liza Littlehawk Photography - 2004 Portfolio Page

No Comments | Categories: Print Design, Web Design, Work
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Emily DeWan Photography

2006 and 2008 |  www.emilydewan.com

Overview

Emily DeWan is a photographer based in Chicago, Illinois. Emily is a seasoned and talented photographer who has a masterful eye for wedding photography and portraiture. I worked with Emily in 2006 to produce a website showcasing her images and to promote her services. Additionally, I created print and identity designs for her business. Recently, Emily has contracted with me to redesign her website to create a more vibrant and contemporary aesthetic. The new website will follow current best practices and will be optimized for a larger monitor resolution. New print designs and an updated identity design will be developed to compliment her new online presence. The redesign is expected to launch later this year.

Screenshots

Emily DeWan Photography - Home Page
Emily DeWan Photography - Home Page Emily DeWan Photography - Final Logo Design Emily DeWan Photography - Logo Design Concepts

No Comments | Categories: Print Design, Web Design, Work
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