Philisophies

As a designer I feel it is best to allow my clients to make an informed decision about whom they choose to work with. I have created this section to help you make a more informed decision.

Goals

The goals for any website are the following:

This is a customer service situation and although the goal is to satisfy the customer… There are times when a designer may need to point out the reasons why something may not work as it is intended to work.

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Flash

One of the most entertaining sites I have seen says “Flash is a tool” and they are correct. As with all tools it can be used effectively and correctly or it can be used improperly and very poorly. I have many feelings about Flash and some of them are very strongly ingrained in my thoughts. I will share these with you to give you a better understanding about my style.

Flash is wonderful. It is interesting, catchy, and will win awards if it is done well. It is memorable which is one of the goals listed above. Flash can be sexy and innovative. It is attention getting which is another goal. It is an excellent tool for a Banner. It is incredible if you are using it as a design feature to be incorporated into the site. It is commonly seen in pop ups… You know the ones that drive most people bonkers when they are trying to browse the Internet.

Flash is also one of the largest irritants to people browsing the Internet these days. Flash is often not a good tool for many people surfing from home, or those on the road who are attempting to access information quickly. Most companies or people do NOT require Flash. Flash is great if you have made the alternate site for those who hate it or just plain cannot load it so they too can view the information you wish to convey.

Flash requires people have the appropriate plugin, and the capacity to load things of that size. Not all computers are created equal, and not all connections can withstand it. If you ask me about flash and tell me you “want” it I will talk to you about if you really “need” it. There is a difference. It also comes down to “can” I? Why yes I can… But “should” I? Possibly not in many situations but there are exceptions to the rule and I can easily work with you if your site happens to be one of them.

Sometime in the future and possibly sooner rather than later this will become a moot point because everything will catch up and be on a playing field where we no longer have to worry about delayed load times because of size or type of file. I very much look forward to that day because it should prove to be a beautiful day on the Internet… Until then I shall persist in my search for beauty with a touch of simplicity that accommodates all of your sites visitors.

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Music

Music can be interesting, and effective when you’re on a site related to music. I will do the unthinkable and make and assumption about why it is commonly used. The assumption is that people use this as a tool to either engage the consumer or visitors, or to portray a part of their preferences to those who may view the site. Outside of a music site and even within a site related to music… It is very likely that you should not have it automatically play. In fact if you are really inclined toward music then have a feature to turn it on rather than just turn it off. Not everyone viewing your site will wish the other people who may be within hearing distance also have the benefit of hearing the sound coming from the computer, let alone share your music tastes.

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Original Content

While I can understand that there are some very nice sites out there, which people may wish to use as a starting point for their own sites… Design By S.L.S. will attempt to maintain a unique design for each site. A similar style or colour scheme is understandable as there are preferences to take into consideration but style guides or templates are made for each site and never duplicated unless one person or company who specifically request duplication of styles owns multiple sites and wish to do this only with their own sites.

The person or company who retained my services for design provides the text and content in the sites. Design By S.L.S. does not write content unless specifically requested to do so and only with all factual information provided by the client. Design By S.L.S. can compile information for the client but only using the information provided by the client. Design By S.L.S. may resize or crop photos with the client’s permission, or make adjustments to the photo for privacy reasons but will not make changes that affect the integrity of the photo.

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Preference Recognition

Design By S.L.S. will recognize and respect the wishes of the client. The client will be asked to provide acceptance of style concepts and colours throughout the site design. Initial consultations tend to allow things to run more smoothly and to progress at a pace acceptable to all. The client may feel they have been asked a large number of questions but those questions are asked for the sake of mutual satisfaction through out the process as well as make changes as promptly as possible.

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Privacy Preferences

Due to my understanding of a persons wish for privacy (and my own preferences) I absolutely will not disclose personal information about any client or their site. This includes information in the meta coding. Without specification I will automatically list the owner of the site as the company name or URL name unless we have discussed otherwise. I also recommend steps for my clients that they can take to ensure their privacy. This is for ease, comfort, discretion, and even safety in some circumstances.

If you require contact with my clients outside the methods, which have been provided I can forward your contact information to them and they can make the choice to contact you in return.

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Quotes and honourable mention in articles

I am a fairly active member of a number of web design related forums. I also try to regularly participate in adult industry forums when time permits so I keep on top of current information that may pertain to my clients. Recently I happened to see a thread on a web design forum asking if other designers would take an Adult Site. I read the entire thread, shuddered in revulsion and walked away for a few hours so I could answer it as best possible.

I am quoting most of my original post (outside of what I feel is not appropriate for this venue), and I am adding a link to the site where I am quoted http://deepthroated.wordpress.com/2007/09/20/adult-web-design-debate/:

I assist independent companions and courtesans in their online marketing.

I do not take XXX sites and I do not allow "pink" in a public area of a site.

I have only put out one site I was not proud of in some way shape or form and that is purely because I didn't stand my grounds with regards to the design.

I also create non-adult sites on a regular basis. My goal is attractive, accessible, unique sites coded in HTML and CSS *with the occasional JS*.

I have turned down sites because they were beyond my comfort level. I started creating the sites because I feel that EVERY person or company has the right to a professional website created in a professional atmosphere unless they are using the site for deviance involving minors, animals, abuse, uncontrolled violence, etc.

I feel that what happens all too often to women who are Courtesans is wrong. "Web designers" and "Web developers" (I use these loosely) actually have the audacity to offer to "trade services", hold sites ransom for "services" or more money, distort photos and blackmail women to fix them or even blackmail them with face shots.

This is WRONG! I nearly lost my breakfast when I read the joke about trading services in the first two pages. Jokes aside... It is wrong. Nothing more nor less... This is despicable behaviour and if I save even one more woman from being abused in this way then I have done the right thing.

  • Has it cost me non-adult clients? Three.
  • Has it cost me jobs working for other companies? Two.
  • Have I declined clients due to content? Two.
  • Have I declined clients because they were abusive in nature (even though the person they abused was them self or tried to be abusive to me)? Three.

Do I stand by my decision to facilitate attractive, cleanly coded, 18+ websites to consenting adults? Yes I do.

I am tired of "keeping mum" about it on this forum so I won't. Very few are unaware that I do both genre. I didn't want it to influence anything I said or did here so I did not publicly broadcast it. Now I openly stand here and say it for what it is with pride.

The determining factor on site content:

My child is young... If it is just a beautifully made, classy site for a personal companion then I will gladly take it on. The most that would be seen are artsy nudes (which show nothing as it makes them little money to show more than a hint of what is there), or a lingerie or bikini shot.

Don't want to create something that your children would be shameful of? Don't create sites that contain content or images that would make it such.

If you require contact with my clients outside the methods, which have been provided I can forward your contact information to them and they can make the choice to contact you in return.

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