manny @ falldrop.com

Welcome

Welcome to my little corner of the web. This message is to thank you for stopping by. If you want to return in the near future, I am currently working on starting up a blog to talk about development, music, movies and all the various things that interest me.

About Me

"One sunny day in July 1981, Manny was born. Fast-forward 18 years and we see him going to college. Fast-forward 4 more years and a couple of degree changes later and we find him taking a Web Design for Business class as a last semester elective."

At this point I realized that I wanted work and help the web be a better place. Unsure of what direction to pursue, I began to learn HTML as a hobby. I learned about cross browser problems, table-less layouts (Interesting Note: I did not learn how to code a page using tables), CSS, XML, XHTML, Javascript, and the power of PHP and MySQL. I also learned about SEO and Semantic Markup and the advantages of making an accessible site. Essentially, I learned that there was so much more to the web than what is visible in the browsers.

After I graduated I realized that my current degree was not enough to jump straight into the world of web design. I still lacked the knowledge of designing for the web. This prompted me to enroll at The Art Institute of Atlanta where I learned many wonderful and helpful things about design and designing for the web.

Shortly after graduating (again) I found a job working on developing front-end code for a start-up agency. Ever since I began working in the industry, I have learned a great deal and I am ready to learn more.

That's basically it! … Minus the parts about living abroad and speaking fluent Spanish.

A little more about me: I love listening to Post-Rock, watching random TV shows, reading comics by Frank Miller and Grant Morrison, and more recently, reading and learning about Python, Django and iPhone development.

Contact Me

There are various ways you can get in touch with me:

Portfolio

Aubrey Daniels' Blog

Aubrey Daniels' Blog
  • XHTML
  • CSS
  • Javascript
  • WordPress
  • Visit

Another project in which I was technical lead. The client is an authority of human behavior on the workplace. He travels the world over making speeches and also spends time writing best selling books on the subject. He was looking to grow his web presence by having a blog where people could come ask questions and where he could share weekly (if not daily) tidbits about the subject. Along with a WordPress powered blog, we incorporated weekly podcasts, YouTube clips of interviews and created a presence for him on Twitter. All XHTML, CSS and jQuery was implemented by yours truly.

Industriaplex

Industriaplex Corporate and OE Sites
  • XHTML
  • CSS
  • Javascript
  • Visit

I was the technical lead for this project. I had to make sure and communicate to the Project Managers and Account Execs if anything for the project was out of scope or if we need to obtain assets from the client. I was also in charge of the front-end development for 5 sites, IPLEX Corporate, FoodService, Retail, Industrial and Source. All XHTML, CSS and jQuery was done by me.

Nandi - Georgia Aquarium

Nandi - Georgia Aquarium
  • XHTML
  • CSS
  • Javascript
  • Visit

Georgia Aquarium was getting the First Manta Ray to be displayed in an American Aquarium. We were in charge of developing a micro site to follow the journey of Nandi from South Africa to Atlanta. Using XHTML, CSS and jQuery, I was able to bring the site together in a very short period of time.

Physicians' Institute

Physicians' Institute for Excellence in Medicine
  • XHTML
  • CSS
  • Javascript
  • Visit

The Physicians' Institute is an organization that focuses on activities to support physicians. The site was part of an still expanding project to allow Physicians to get various types of certifications. The current site consists of News, Information about the Institute and Certifications, and a media center that allows users to view videos or documents that are needed prior to being certified. My role on the project was that of Front End Developer. All XHTML, CSS and jQuery was implemented by me.

Boss Solutions

Boss Solutions
  • XHTML
  • CSS
  • Javascript
  • Visit

Boss Solutions was looking for a new web identity. They have a lot of information on a few products and needed it to be accessible. XHTML, CSS, jQuery, ASP.NET, Flash, SEO, and live site search were all incorporated into this project. I was in charge of all front-end development. I was constantly having to tweak CSS and layouts because of the type of information the different pages contained.

ScoreATL

ScoreATL
  • XHTML
  • CSS
  • Javascript
  • WordPress
  • Visit

SCORE is a sports print magazine in Atlanta, Georgia. They were in need of a web presence that would allow them to make the transition from print magazine to online. The site currently handles sports news for all high schools in Georgia as well as the professional teams. WordPress was used to power the news content. WordPress also had to be tweaked to be able to do certain things the client wanted. XHTML, CSS, jQuery, WordPress setup and tweaking were all handled by yours truly.

Georgia Trend

Georgia Trend
  • XHTML
  • CSS
  • Javascript
  • CMS
  • Visit

Georgia Trend is the only print magazine of Georgia Business and Politics. Their web site is a companion to their print material. They post articles, polls, events. We were in charge of redesigning the site with a more updated look and new table-less code. I was in charge of coding all XHTML, CSS, Javascript. I also had to implement the new design to work with their existing CMS.

RÉsumÉ

Experience

Front End Developer, What's Up Interactive, Atlanta, GA -- May 2007 - Present

Lead front end developer in charge of developing sites using XHTML, CSS, Javascript and PHP, and prepping them to work with a proprietary content management system or software such as WordPress. Responsible for maintaining the sites of various clients. Currently responsible with helping to scope of projects and work break down structures. Responsible for developing a set of standards and guidelines to follow when developing new sites. Currently working on clients such as Georgia Aquarium, Aubrey Daniels, Georgia Trend, Physician’s Institute, Score Atlanta, and GV Financial.

Web Developer, Neatworks Inc. Alpharetta, GA -- April 2006 - May 2007

Lead web developer responsible for designing and coding web sites for various clients. Designed and implemented all aspects of site development and content management customization.

Education

Art Institute of Atlanta. Atlanta, GA -- June 2007

Bachelors of Fine Arts in Interactive Media Design

Georgia College & State University. Milledgeville, GA -- May 2004

Bachelors of Business Administration with a Major in MIS.

Skillset

Languages

XHTML, CSS, Javascript (jQuery), PHP, MySQL, XML, Actionscript 2.

Creative

Photoshop, Illustrator, Fireworks, Flash.

Web Related

WordPress Development and Customization, Visual Design, Interface Design, Layout, Semantic Markup, Web Standards, SEO, E-mail marketing campaigns.

Current Learning

Python, Django, Git.