Welcome
I am a freelance web developer based in London, UK. I specialise in PHP5 & MySQL applications, AJAX interaction and accessible design & build. I have been hand coding usable, accessible, semantic web sites since 2000 & have specialised in php powered sites since 2002.
From design concept, through prototyping, front and backend build to UAT I can offer the complete package.
Feel free to read about some of my most recent work projects, checkout my C.V. or contact me about your project.
Portfolio
Recent projects
Older projects
Investit Intelligence
Investit is an investment management consultancy based in central London. Their 'Intelligence' site is a subscription service that allows members to access the latest reports & thinking on investment management topics.
The project was a complete bespoke content managed site including password protected public & administration areas. The site is written in PHP5 (based on an MVC framework) coupled to a MySQL database.
Additional components included:
- Flash-based file uploads
- custom serach engine
- AJAX interaction
C.V. for Rob Ford
Core Competencies: |
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PHP |
PHP 5 & 4 object oriented programming |
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MVC Frameworks (CodeIgniter, CakePHP etc) |
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Web Services & XML |
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MySQL / MS SQL Server |
Relational database design, build & optimisation |
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SQL queries/stored procedures |
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HTML |
Hand coded XHTML 1.0/1.1 Strict, HTML5 |
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Hand coded CSS2/3 |
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Table-less CSS based cross-browser design |
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Coding to AAA conformance and WAI guidelines |
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Javascript |
Procedural/OO programming |
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Advanced AJAX based interfaces/interaction (jQuery, Prototype, Scriptaculous, Mootools etc. and home-rolled) |
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E-Commerce |
All aspects |
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Version Control |
Subversion & CVS |
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Additional Competencies: |
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Graphics & Animation |
Photoshop / Fireworks / Illustrator / Flash |
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Streaming Media |
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Documentation |
Database schemas |
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Functional Specs |
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Technical Specs |
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User Guides |
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Industry Experience: |
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April 2011 - December 2011: |
Sky - sky.com Contract web developer |
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I worked as a front end developer on Sky's shop pages including 2 complete redesigns of the site. Technologies used include XHTML, CSS & JavaScript (both native and jQuery-backed) in a Java backed environment, using Freemarker and JSP templating. Sky run a fully Agile environment with weekly releases, planning games and retrospectives and daily standups. The environment is test driven (a mix of Selenium & Cucumber) and employs a continuous build methodology for maximum stability. |
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20th April 2009 - March 2011: |
Teachers TV - teachers.tv Contract web developer |
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I developed a custom content management system for teachers tv to enable them to manage content on their new website in addition to assisting with the build of the new end-user facing site. Technologies used include php 4 & 5 (custom frameworks), MySQL, XHTML & jQuery. The javascript element is particularly involved, including loading, manipulating and saving complex data sets on the fly, drag & drop interfaces and custom data validation. |
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Feb 2009 - Early April 2009: |
Altogether Digital - altogetherdigital.com Contract web developer |
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I worked as both a back & front-end developer on quite a number of different projects for Glenfiddich, Apple and ATOC (Association of Train Operating Companies). I was responsible for: creation of semantic, cross-browser markup from photoshop templates & integration into PHP and .Net application frameworks, advanced javascript. Creation of bespoke PHP systems and WordPress plugins / skinning. Localisation (Apple). Sample URL's: shop.thebalvenie.com, apple.com/fr/macpro and daysoutguide.co.uk |
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June 2008 - End Jan 2009: |
Conchango - conchango.com Contract front-end developer |
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I spent 4 months working in an Agile environment, on the new River Island web site. I was responsible for: creation of semantic, cross-browser markup from photoshop templates & integration into a .Net application framework, advanced javascript including in-page animation, client-server interaction and implementation of custom Omniture reporting. I also worked on other client projects including ireland.com, Barclaycard, Tesco Digital & on-site at Associated News. |
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May & June 2008: |
Freelance web developer |
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I worked on 3 freelance projects for private clients including: e-commerce websites for Sirenic Silver and Images de Provence Ltd and a major site update for My Property Guide. I also worked as a freelancer for Delete (deletelondon.com) on a short contract, converting the static Creature Discomforts website to WordPress. |
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October 2007 - End March 2008: |
Freelance web developer |
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I worked as a freelancer for Higher Ground Digital Design (hgdd.co.uk - Covent Garden) completing 5 data-driven web sites Sample URL's: moodboardunlimited.com, investitintelligence.com |
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April - End September 2007: |
WeddingPath - weddingpath.co.uk Freelance web developer |
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I worked as a full-time freelancer at weddingpath.com (North Soho) helping them with e-commerce, Ad serving, advanced JavaScript, interface design & implementation and a whole host of other php/MySQL projects. |
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May 2000 - April 2007: |
Out of the Trees - outofthetrees.co.uk Agency Partner / Freelance web developer |
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I was the majority partner in Out of the Trees (http://www.outofthetrees.co.uk/), a small web design & development firm; during this time I've worked on many varied jobs - please see http://www.outofthetrees.co.uk/portfolio/ for more details. I was been responsible for around 90% of SelectaCart - http://www.selectacart.com/ - a complete php/mySQL, standards-based ecommerce solution. I worked on various freelance php/mysql/xhtml projects including work for, amongst others, weddingpath.com, The National Children's Bureau, Continental Tyres and fresh01.com. |
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Nov 2002 - April 2003: |
Freelance web consultant (Hays Telecoms) |
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I worked freelance for ntl (the telecoms company) on various internal projects: mostly system design / specification / documenting work, but also completed one large MS Access project. |
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February 1997 - April 2000: |
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During this time I spent the winters in the French Alps working as a bar person, transfer rep and snowboard guide/instructor. During the summers I worked freelance on various web design projects. |
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Education: |
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UWIC, Cardiff |
HNC Computing | |
Chartered Insurance Institute |
Financial Planning Certificate 1 | |
| Financial Planning Certificate 2 | ||
| Financial Planning Certificate 3 | ||
Stanwell Comprehensive School |
'O' Levels: English Language, French, English Literature, German, Mathematics, Biology |
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'A' Level: French |
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Additional Information: |
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I was very fortunate to be able to indulge my passion for snowboarding for five seasons, living & working in the French Alps and still go regularly to Les Arcs to ride with my friends - I'm also a fluent French speaker. My spare time tends to revolve around spending quality time with my wife and young son, keeping fit (I'm a keen cyclist and also run several days a week), socializing, listening to music / going to as many gigs as we can fit in, movies and avoiding computers. |
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About me
I've been a professional web developer since 2002 (though I've been a web-meddler since 1998) and was heavily involved with Out of the Trees (OOTT) up until around April of 2007. Since the birth of my son Jack in May 2007 however, I've been a full-time freelancer/contractor.
My experience is very broad ranging including:
- accessibility & coding to WAI / AAA standards
- advanced javascript
- bespoke content management systems
- e-commerce
- web services & XML
- image manipulation
- system integration
- data migration
- etc
I work full-time on a Mac out of choice but can PC-it at a push ;)
My full C.V. is available here
About this site
This site is built on the CodeIgniter MVC framework and uses a combination of JQuery and home-rolled javascript for effects & AJAX-ey goodness.
My daily software tools include: Zend Studio, Textmate, Navicat, CSSEdit, Cornerstone, Transmit and iTerm. Without Spotify none of the above would be possible.
The design work, graphics & logo are all my work (no, I'm not a designer...) drawn in a combination of Photoshop and Fireworks.
If you're using a decent web browser you'll be seeing some nice rounded corners and text effects on the headings; if not then I've deliberately left them off to punish you. Consider yourself told.
Get in touch
If you'd like to get in touch please drop me a line at rob at the domain in your address bar. Alternatively you can find me on twitter: @rob_ford
There used to be a pretty contact form here but pathetic Russian spammers have finally convinced me to remove it. This is why we can't have nice things.




