If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

“What in the world are you talking about?!” is the question I often get when talking about HWD( Holistic Web Design). Yes, I know it is a ‘made-up-acronym’ authored by yours truly. However what it reflects is something very true, and very genuine. HWD reflects a homeopatic-DIY approach to web-site creation. Rather than representing a TRUE design approach, it more or less represents a bona-fide, pull-yourself-up-by-the-bootstraps web developer. I know I covered this topic somewhat earlier in this same blog, but when my server said “ARRRRGGGG!” then crashed like an iced-wing 747 Jumbo Jet, I decided I would eventually have to re-write this one. Which in this case was more of a blessing than anything, becuase I have really been re-thinking the idea of HWD.

I like to think of the HWD designer as a person who has the ability to code their web-pages from scratch, using CSS principles and incorporating a number of interactive technologies, such as Javascript, ajax, and php (or their MS-associative technologies). But more than a coder the HWD designer also incorporates their own creative flair with the ability to take really good photographs, design using GIMP/Photoshop, and arranging the web page into something that is smooth and somewhat seamless. In short the HWD designer can take any text editor and after some work and manipulation scratch a website from unpolished files into something workable and usable. Now you may be thinking that the definition applies to most if not all designers, but this isn’t necessarily true. The HWD designer adds something to his/her design that is birthed from their personality. Yes the HWD designer may grab a CSS template here and there, but the code is stemmed from something internal, something primal, maybe even something that they are actually born with. An eye for design is something that can be learned, but most often isn’t. One such designer is Lee Alon, author of freedseed.com.

Lee Alon is really quite an amazing designer, and what I love about his site is that it is all custom created graphics.  In addition, look over his projects page, lots of stuff there, but  most notably is the fact that all the graphics are incredibly unique and have tons of character.  HWD is not about being a one stop for all things, but rather its about keeping the entire site in mind when designing, and Lee definitely does that.