Work
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HTML5 / jQuery
Responsive
The Square Apartments
HTML5 / jQuery
Wordpress
Responsive
Earthfolio
HTML5 / jQuery
Responsive
The Palmer Apartments
HTML5 / jQuery
Responsive
Airlines for America
HTML5 / jQuery
Wordpress
Responsive
Big World Small Planet
HTML5 / jQuery
Wordpress
Responsive
OnSpot Social
Logo / Interface Design
HTML5 / jQuery
Clariture Health
HTML5 / jQuery
Responsive
Griflan Design
Design
HTML5 / jQuery
PayPal eCommerce
My Custom Yoga Mat
Flash
Design
XML Content Management
MMH Photography
Design
Flash
iCarly Nintendo DS Game
Flash
M&Ms Transformers Microsite
Project List
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Details
Interface Design
HTML Programming
Javascript / jQuery
Responsive Design
Wordpress Integration
PHP Programming
Flash Animations
Branding Design
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Contact
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If you want to catch me in action, you can usually find me at one of my favorite coffee shops.
Portland, OR
Portland, OR
Thoughts
Thoughts
Wanderlust and Photography
It's never too late to get inspired
Photography was always something I thought was fun, but it never went beyond iPhone pics that I would throw an Instagram filter on and call it a day. This past winter I spent some time around a distant cousin who is very into photography and when I compared my photos to his, I saw such a stark difference that it got me thinking. I already have a love for creative expression, but I haven’t explored real photography since college. The seed was planted and I had to buy a real camera. This was about 3 months ago and things have really escalated since then. I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole with accessories and lenses. I wake up every morning with an itch to get out and explore. Photography has begun to consume my creative mind and I’m loving every minute of it. I’ve always had a love for aesthetically pleasing images, but now I feel more control in producing the images I want to see. The world of photography has opened many doors to me and I wonder what took me so long to get here. Along with photography, I’ve felt a much stronger interest in exploring natural landscapes. It’s hard to deny that this has a lot to do with my new home in the pacific northwest where I can drive 20 minutes out of the city into wondrous mountains and valleys. There are hiking trails everywhere and my curiosity can’t help but wonder what sights are to be found on each one. I constantly research areas of interest within a reasonable drive and when I have a free moment, I am off. Of course I had to find a way to tie in web design and the urge to create a photography website for myself has creeped into my head. I just want a place to share my photos in full resolution outside of social media. For me, photography is just a hobby and I think that’s why I like it so much. There is no pressure to produce, and so the creativity can flow naturally and I can have fun with it without any expectations. Keep an eye out for a JLern Photography website in the near future. Until then, check out my new Instagram account @jlerndesign.
2015
The Road West
I've changed coasts, time zones and coffee shops
As of June 3, I have moved to Portland, OR to discover what wonders the west coast has to offer. I spent a good 8 years in Philadelphia launching my solo career and that city really helped me get my feet off the ground. There is a wide array of talented artists and designers in the Philadelphia area and I loved all the inspiration and motivation to be my best that it provided me. Now onto the next chapter, to explore a new city and see what the west coast design world is all about. I’ve already seen some wonderful aesthetics peppered throughout the city and look forward to engaging with local designers here. It truly feels like an artist’s world in Portland. There is art everywhere you look, not to mention the sheer beauty of nature that I think I was missing when I lived in a concrete jungle. Driving cross-country to get here really opened my eyes to natural sights I had never seen before. It’s impossible not to feel inspired when you look in all directions and are immersed in mountains and valleys of epic proportions. Wyoming, Utah, and Idaho were all breathtaking. The color and contrast that occurs daily in a natural setting is pretty amazing. So needless to say, I am thrilled to be here so far and can’t wait to find my next challenging assignment. To Philly, I bid you farewell and keep up the interesting design work. I’ll miss all the cool shop windows from Design Philadelphia and the endless murals. If you’re in the Portland area, maybe I’ll see you at a coffee shop. I’ve already fallen in love with quite a few.
The Truth About Templates
Is custom web design going the way of the dinosaur?
Years ago when website templates first started gaining traction, I hoped it was a fad that would soon disappear. Nowadays I see ads for companies like Squarespace all the time and it looks as if templates are here to stay. There is clearly a market for factory-produced web design that can be sold to the masses. As a designer this does not sit well with me. A simple metaphor for this is how a person dresses. Clothing gives you the opportunity to be as creative as you want in your first impression on others. I can’t speak for everyone, but when I’m shopping for clothes and I see a dozen of the same shirt on a display, I keep moving. Individuality is important to me. That shirt might make me look good, but if everyone is wearing it, I lose my identity. This brings me to my point on where website templates are headed. They are getting more attractive and that is a scary thing. At first, you could spot a template from a mile away because it looked very cookie-cutter and conservative. Now you are able to find ones that utilize the latest hot trends in design. I’ll give credit where it is due, in that the template companies have made it much more appealing to go that route. Will this cost you much less than hiring a designer? Absolutely. Will you be able to build the website yourself without anyone’s help? Most likely (then again, this might be another topic for debate). The problem is you’ve lost the human element. This hurts in two ways—the website was never created to serve your individual needs as a unique business; and when it comes time for adjustments, no one is there to help you. A living, breathing partner to craft the perfect website for your business can’t be replaced. The sad truth is, most of the time the cheaper option will win out. I don't want to get started on websites like Fiver, where you can get design work done for $5, but let’s just say in the open market you usually get what you pay for. My hope is that people will continue to see the value in developing a working relationship with a designer they trust, and not just a faceless online store.
Recent Tweets
Time for my tweet of the year. The new @Griflan site has launched! https://t.co/AevgdcSUIT May 22
The design studio that I work with, @Griflan, is being nominated for Studio of the Year! We would love if you could… https://t.co/2Mrb9xf8tQ Dec 26
NOW STREAMING on Spotify! Signals Through the Static by Pilot Cloud https://t.co/WOvcit6LYI Dec 24
Latest project hot off the presses. Or hot off the server? idk. https://t.co/HcCq3u2AGs Jul 13
Another playful crypto-currency website in the books! @Griflan has been killing it with all these fun illustrations… https://t.co/PIUuGG7bui Dec 7
Oh look a thing I did! (design by @Griflan) https://t.co/tM8UNIHBrh Oct 30