This past week I finally finished up and launched a redesign for the Aces Tattoos website. As part of the redesign I reworked the logo (see old logo here), rewrote the entire site, new design, new... well everything's just new.. that sums it up. The site was done using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, a bit of PHP and even some jQuery. This was my first non-flash site in a looong time and even though it wasn't a terrible process, playing browser-roulette definitely made me remember why I love the Flash world so much. In the end though the goals of the project were satisfied I think (a site to showcase the work of the artists, could be maintained by the client using no code [Adobe Contribute] and a design the client was happy with). It did feel good to do another freelance project after a pretty long layoff. And while I don't plan to get back into freelancing a ton, I do see/have a few projects on the horizon and look forward to the creative freedom you just dont get from the 9-5.

If you get a second, stop by Aces Tattoos and check out the artist portfolios, tell them how awesome their site is or get some ink of your own from one of their amazing artists.

For the past, oh 7 years or so, I have been working on redesign my site. Ever since I completed it for the first time, a redesign of it has been on my mind (I'm never happy with my own work). When I finally set out to do it this time, I decided that I'd take the pressure off myself a bit and not have any delusions about an FWA, or feel the need to try and blow everyone away with my design and technical prowess (as if). I wanted something that would be simple and clean with no caffeine. Something that would be easier to maintain and easier to redesign next time (hopefully that wont take another 7 years). What I ended up building accomplishes that I think.

The site is built using a full Flash front-end (duh), but uses remoting (AMFPHP) to connect to a mySQL database that houses the tables of data. The blog data is pulled into Flash from the wordpress DB, and the same project content is used in the client management area I wrote to allow clients to access their current and past projects in a secure area (still need to re-skin that). This allowed me to keep all data separated from the presentation layer, hopefully minimizing the amount of effort it takes to add/edit/remove projects/clients. And hopefully keep me from having to go through that exercise when the time comes to update the design again. It also allowed me to create a simple static version of the site utilizing the same data. I also took this time to update the blog theme (as you can see) as well as my custom error pages. I created a custom audio track to set the mood and added a dash of AfterEffects... just cause

I call this version Serenity for several different reasons. The main reason however, is that with this design I was removing all of the pressure from myself to impress/show off/ win awards/{insert self serving buzzword here}. This design was truly for me. A design that fits the way I like to do things, and stays true to the quote by Leonardo da Vinci that I use in my emails, on my business cards and in daily design discussions - "simplicity is the ultimate sophistication".

I hope you enjoy it.

You can see the different versions of the site and pages below:
Flash Version
Static / SEO version
404 Error Page
401 Error Page

I will show anyone, anywhere how I did anything if they ask, as long as they don't copy what I have done verbatim, and put their own look to it. In the end that's all we have, the look and feel and interaction. The code means nothing. The visitor doesn't care how we did something, only that it works and is usable.When someone steals another's work and passes it of as their own it dilutes the original work in my opinion. It calls into question "who actually did the work?". Makes things seem less original, less innovative and completely disregards the effort the original creator put into the work. What's worse still is that this thievery (in our industry) is done by our peers (and I do use that term loosely). The people stealing our work are aspiring web designers themselves, and often times competing for the same business. Does it make it any less offensive that someone half way around the world steals my work, versus a guy in my home town? Not really... 80% of my clients are outside of my state and over half are outside of my country.

So for the record, I have no problem with giving anyone any piece of code I have created, or instructions on how to pull off a certain effect or design element. But for Gods sake take that knowledge and apply your own twist, a tad of your own effort, a bit of your own creativity and make it your own work and leave my sh*t alone! Thanks for listening to my rant

Check out this idiot : http://www.seaulf.com/chapterOne/index.html
Original Work: http://www.cruciallimit.com/chapterOne/index.html

And the guy doesn't quit there...going through his portfolio, my work is all over the place, This guy probably steals from the collection plate at Church... (and I do know of at least one Church he has stolen from)

Another Rip : http://www.antalyahus.com/
Original work (done by me) : http://thevillagechurch.net/

The guy even has some of my downloads on his site claiming to have done them himself.

This is comical really, but it still irritates the hell out of me.

But I'm not the only one he ripped, here's his latest act of thievery :
http://www.seaulf.com/chaptertwo/index.html
Original - (Checkout e21Golf Project) :
http://www.amberfly.com/main/index.html

Now to a degree I would agree that imitation is the best form of flattery. Inspired work is very flattering, directly ripped and outright stolen and passed off as his own work is just irritating and maddening. I took a look at his copyright statement today and its even more insane then the rip of the site, I especially love the line:  "Please do not steal from me, Make your own site." what a joke.

It blows my mind the lengths lazy people will go to try and avoid doing the work themselves.

/***** UPDATE 05-08-06 *****/
I received an email from Ulf Nilson (owner or http://www.seaulf.com/) This is a message from seaulf.com
I im so sorry David. My web is down.This is not going to hapend again and yes I am starting og building a new web in this moment,but this time with just inspiration.
Best regards
seaulf.com

/***** UPDATE 05-13-06 *****/
Well the copy of my site, as well as the Amberfly work has been removed. However, after several emails requesting the material be removed I had not received and response from Mr. Ulf Nilson. The site in question is the still yet to be removed Antalyahus website (a copy of my original work for The Village Church). I was forced once again to take the offensive and blast emails to Mr. Ulf Nilson, his coworkers, his clients, his friends who signed his guestbook, forum posts, guestbook posts, etc... in the hopes of shaming this individual into doing the right thing and taking the ripped site down. I finally received a response, apologizing that the site had not been taken down that he was trying to get in touch with the client. I requested a formal apology to the Village Church as well as to my self and asked that this matter be taken care of quickly or the onslaught will resume until it is handled. I received this email this morning:The Village Church.Your church deserve an apology from me and I am so sorry that I have copied your website. I have learned now, and I only hope that you can forgive me for my stupid action. This shouldn't have happened. I have send a E-mail to the owner of the other website regarding my stupid action and informed him about my unlegal action,and that im going to mage him a new one as soon as he take contact whit me. I promise that I wil keep you posted on what is/is not happening with this.Best regards from seaulf.com
Have I mentioned that I hate thieves?!

Check out the fonts over at Fonts For Flash as well, I use a number of these fonts. They are very easy to read and reasonably priced as well.