Website Design & Development in Lancashire, db-designs, daryl brunsden

Fresh from the Blog...

Posted on the 8th February 2012

Pole Sessions brand new website is now live!

Check it out here...

Pole Sessions Website

Website design and development in Lancashire.

Posted on the 8th February 2011

Here is a quick glimpse of my latest design work.

HeadHunters in Dewsbury have introduced a new treatment, where hundreds of tiny fish eat/suck the dead skin off your feet.

They asked for a bright vector based poster to represent the new fish treatment and basically catch the publics attention.

headhunters.co.uk
01924 451287

Posted on the 26th January 2011

This morning one of my previous website designs got a full review by Random Template. Random Template review the web and how it's evolving.

Posted by Michael Clarke in Critique Website, Featured | Jan 26, 2011

I promised myself, that when it came to reviewing websites; especially those who want people to pay them to design more sites that I would be vigilant. I would not allow my personal taste to enter into my decision. However, after being asked to review this particular site I have been blown away. I am a person who has big concerns with some of the largest sites on the Internet, facebook, digg, they just don’t cut it for me.

Eclipse Design took me by surprise. I expected it to be a modern design and somewhat clean, but it far surpassed my expectations. I myself am not a Designer, I’m primarily a programmer but over the years I have learnt to truly appreciate high quality graphics and how they can be implemented into websites to produce mind-blowing results.

When I came to review Eclipse Design I promised that I would review it on 3 key sections. The first being how welcoming the site was, the second being how easy it was to navigate and find information that would be relevant to various enquiries, and finally – since this is a profitable website I had to be sure that I would be left trusting them.

How welcoming is the site?

Alot of websites overpower the user, far to much happening at once or too much to happening that you lose focus on whats really happening. Eclipse Design hit it on the nail in my opinion. There header shows great talent in generating and capturing there “theme”, but its also very clear. Within 3 seconds on the website I knew they provided Web & Graphic Design, and that there was a Portfolio available for me to look through. This is very important and straight away made me comfortable in moving around the rest of the site.

Before moving on I took a look at the various elements on the main page and the typography is very clear and again not to overpowering. There is a nice carousel type slide show that provides me various bits of information about the services they provided, as well as a review on a recent project along with a testimonial.

The footer on the side was again very nice, the only “slight” concern I found here was the Newsletter sign-up, the actual submit button is styled identical to the submit button, usually I like to see a minor different where its a slightly shaded background or thicker border just to bring a slight bit more attention to there call to action but that alone is not enough for me to mark the site down in any way.

So initially this site is off to a great start, I’ve only seen the main page and I feel confident in there ability, I like the structure and everything seems quick simple to navigate.

Can I find my way around?

This is usually something overlooked but its actually the most critical part of any website, a user should be able to move around you site effortlessly, without ever needing to look for a link to where they want to go. Fortunately the only page I couldn’t see a navigation bar at all times was the portfolio. But again that is something you might expect. This could be changed into another slider or carousel but there’s really no need. Its structure great and I can find anything I want very simply.

Do I trust them?

After viewing the site I can undoubtedly say they know there industry, before moving to the portfolio I had wondered whether or not they were really just overbuilding there site as is often the case. The quality just doesn’t seem to end there, they have passed it on and more to there previous clients. So I would recommend Eclipse Design without delay.

I must announce that I’m very pleased they asked me to review there website, because they have no officially set the bar that I will grade all future Web & Graphics designers by. So good luck to the rest of you out there! Now if you think you can top this, or have any comments to share that you would like to add or maybe disagree with my views please get commenting and let me know.


The original review can be found here...

Posted on the 10th November 2010

This is my latest university project which was to create a multimedia piece on the topic of Piracy. If your wondering about the design idea and target audience... Its aimed at the younger generation, hopefully grabbing their attention with the vector based graphics and keeping them interested.

Im not trying to push to much information in their direction, as Im aware its not the most interesting subject and can easily bore especially if not conducted correctly.

The website can be found via the link below.
Are You A Pirate?!

Posted on the 9th September 2010

Today we saw the completion and launch of the new Rejuvenation Garden Services website.

For the past few weeks I have been working closely with the founder of RGS to complete the design to his requirements. From doing this I believe it has really pushed me to create an all round clean and professional website though both visual and functional aspects.

I have also uploaded the new Eclipse Design preview to my portfolio and can be found here.

Posted on the 6th August 2010

For the past few weeks, apart from working loads to earn a bit of cash... I have been designing the all new Eclipse Design site.

Eclipse Design is the company I am currently doing contract work for as a web developer and have done so now for several years. I really enjoy working for them because its allowing me to develop my skills within the area I love, whilst doing it as a job.

Eclipse Design is technically brand new, as in the past it has been run through Eclipse Hosting. So the design side of things will now be run through the new site which I am currently creating.

Today I finally finished the actual designing of the new Eclipse site and must now begin the coding... how exciting! (you think Im joking dont you...)

Anyway once I get given permission I will post up the new design and let you all check it out.

Posted on the 22nd June 2010

HTML has become a very powerful markup language, when backed up by (its brother) CSS, can be used to create visually stunning and interactive Web sites.

I want to share some of the tutorials and articles that have served as a hands-on introduction to HTML5 and CSS3 for me. They provide information about the functionality and syntax for many of the new elements and APIs that HTML5 has to offer, as well as the new selectors, effects, and features that CSS3 brings. Allowing you to put them to use and see what you can do.

Basic Techniques
Combining CSS3 and HTML5 Techniques
HTML5 Globals

Although these new techniques will not be fully functional until every browser used is compatible with HTML5 and CSS3. Its good to get to grips with the new features and slowly ease it in... got to love the CSS drop shadows!

Posted on the 4th June 2010

Welcome to my new re-vamped portfolio where you can see all my latest work and projects. Not forgetting my really interesting Blog which you must to keep up to date with!

If you have anything to say about the new website I would love to hear it, just leave a message in the contact form. It will take you literally seconds!

For now im going to keep it short and sweet and celebrate with one of my most favorite videos ever on the web.
Video Link

Admin