welcome

I'm Ken Neville, an independent web developer in San Jose, California, and this is my personal and professional website. I work with a diverse range of clients and individuals to build beautiful and functional software. I love finding lightweight solutions to heavyweight problems. Get in touch with me here.

projects and highlights

Northern Metal Fab, Inc.

Northern Metal Fab, Inc.

  • Complete custom site from start to finish

  • XHTML 1.0 Strict and cross-browser CSS/Javascript ensure compatibility and longevity

  • PHP live weather gadget, CSS-accessible navigation and headlines ticker

Site is currently live

SanDisk Music

SanDisk Music

Site is currently live

  • Custom ActionScript integrated into an existing Flash project

  • Flash document loads latest accessory information from XML

  • Product information stays current without editing Flash sources

The Pusher (Yahoo! Widget)

The Pusher

  • Unique two-function toggle shortcut launcher gained instant popularity

  • Easy customization and catchy graphics, straight from Photoshop to the desktop

  • Over 100,000 downloads and just as many uses

Widget Gallery Page

more of my favorite projects

art|photography Slick javascript-powered photo browser

UI Samples A Flickr photostream of UI samples

 

Languages and Applications

Like any craftsman, I have many tools in my toolbox. Here is a sampling of the software and technologies I use in my project workflow.

  • Adobe Photoshop

    Skill Rating: 10/10

    I fell in love with Photoshop's power long ago, when 'KPT' stood for Kai's Power Tips. Slick interface graphics and pixel-perfect precision are my hallmarks.

  • (X)HTML/CSS

    Skill Rating: 9/10

    Clean, accessible markup - hand-coded and served up fresh to any browser you please. I also play well with Frontpage, Dreamweaver, GoLive and others.

  • Browser/DOM Javascript

    Skill Rating: 7/10

    Lightweight, flexible code puts clientside behaviors and events to work. I'm a big fan of libraries like MooTools and Prototype.

  • Yahoo! Widgets

    Skill Rating: 9/10

    XML/CSS/Javascript on the desktop - Web power, great graphics and smooth development tools make this the ultimate cross-platform sandbox.

  • PHP/MySQL

    Skill Rating: 6/10

    Servers need love, too. Presenting meaningful information from data sources is half of the fun.

  • Macromedia Flash

    Skill Rating: 4/10

    Just started with Flash. Available for ActionScript projects and constantly learning more.

  • I have also worked in Win32 programming environments, including Visual Basic, Microsoft Access, and am familiar with C and Java constructs.

    I may be a paint and chrome guy, but I also like to get under the hood of a project.

Experience and Education

I have attended classes in graphic design and fine art at San Jose State University and Cogswell Polytechnical College in Sunnyale, California. Much of my creative passion stems from the combination of my interests in drawing, painting, sculpture and architecture. I am constantly seeking new territory in which I can mash together my talents.

I love keeping both sides of my brain busy, merging graphics, design and data into concentrated bursts of awesome.

I joined the professional world as a PC Tech in 1998, working full time whenever my high school schedule allowed, skinning and scripting late into the night afterwards. After graduating in 1999, I began consulting independently on systems and networks while moving into web design and interactive publishing both for personal projects and for clients. Now I serve clients in a variety of industries who need fast, flexible, lightweight web solutions.

Mountain and road biking, skiing, hiking and backpacking are just a few of the ways I like to play - techy sports rule.

Professional references and full details of my employment history are available on request.