• Website CSS/HTML Design, Coding, and Development

• Javascript/Ajax/XML. My 2 libraries of choice are jQuery its ease-of-use & compatibility and Mootools for its body

• CMS (Content Managmement System). I have worked with CSS-, PHP/MYSQL-, and XSLT-based systems from custom-built to various open-source. I can setup, custom build and develop CSS/PHP/MYSQL CMS. I have worked within a custom XSLT-based system on the developer side for my last contract job. I regularly work and develop a PHP/MYSQL system on the backend and frontend. I like building custom CSS CMS the most.

1. My website design/development capabilities start with creating and maintaining balanced, stable websites with CSS/XHTML and non-obtrusive javascript and extend to developing more robust and complex content management systems. I can take any open-source platform and fully execute---start to finish---from setup/installation on a server to developing and customizing it into a complete unique site harnessing many available technologies out there. I can also learn and master any existent system already established as far as designing within the context of that system, maintaining databases, and performing any routine maintenance or operations required.

• Graphics/Photo-editing/Creative: Adobe Suite, using Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash (limited actionscript), various other. I'm an old hand at working creative or graphic elements. I worked as an advertising coordinator and creative producer.

2. My experience also includes setting up full in-house advertising managment systems and contracting as IT Designer who specialized in operating and coordinating both an in-house tracking system as well as a third-party Ad CMS. As a contractor I also created a variety of ads and worked with advertisers, as a member of a small IT team, and in conjuction with other Creative outfits.

Being able to balance the equation.

3. Structural CSS Web Design/Development, Programming/Development, Creative, and sound knowledge of various design principles including Web, Graphic Design, and Print. Beyond my functional and regular use and involvement in the above areas, my academic training extends from programming to copywriting to web multimedia design.

[DS] Designers concentrate on constructing a website based on principles of communicative design and web standards/cross-browser compatibility using core CSS/XHTML to style and aesthetically customize existent, well-developed publishing platforms and often employ light scripting.

[DV] Developers on the other hand focus on improving, creating new, or adapting application, programming, and platform technology to either serve a specific advanced functionality for a web project. The term Developer could also refer to a [DD] Designer who has the additional ability to build, understand, or work with more complex websites involving web applications and more robust content management systems that involve tweaking programming and heavy modification.

Both halves are almost always necessary to build a stable, compatible, and well-designed web site, system, or creative project.

It is much more common than not that Designers lack intensive development skills and, vice versa, Developers lack significant communicative design skills.

Nobody can know it all, but... ~ New technologies, design trends and demands are constantly popping up, where it is both exciting and challenging for designer and developer alike, the key is to be able to make the right choices and be able to balance the equation between fresh design, technology and ultimately functionality.

I know how to balance the equation. According to my definitions above, I consider myself a CSS-based [DD] Designer/Developer due to my ability but one who also understands how to use what tools when.

Carrot Orange, Rob at your service

* I also dabble in a graphic design too, especially print materials, posters, and especially enjoy collaborating with illustrators, artists, and typographers on projects.

What I am not going to showcase here:

1. Older, previous client websites nor company websites that I may have built or worked on.
2. A typical web designer portfolio of simple or common websites...
   This exclusion is not to snub the normal idea of a portfolio, but for the practical purpose of focusing on 'fresh' projects in development that might be more interesting, experimental, innovative, and potentially outside-the-norm conceptually that should also demonstrate desirable skills.

What I am going to showcase here:

1. Carrot Orange websites
   There are a few presently operating online with some projects due out tentatively in 2011.
2. Sandbox projects
   Small-scale projects, where I'll investigate interactions between, play with, and design around everything from HTML elements, Advanced CSS, jQuery and other libraries, Ajax, Flash/XML to cms, php/db setups.
3. Miscellaneous Graphic/Art work
   From web ads, posters, book covers, digital and other visual projects

My main personal interests include: Developing a number of web projects; Currently hooked on Unobstrusive jQuery, CSS/CMS, and PHP Development; Authoring a book series on Film.

Trivia Fact: I was named after Robby the Robot from the 1956 Sci-fi classic Forbidden Planet. [Link] And like my namesake, I can make whiskey, save damsels in distress, and I have a personality too. BUT, I'm not a crybaby and if you need me to work like a robot like a slave droid on AltairIV, I am perfectly fine with doing so.