Hello!
I'm Ben Lamb, a Purdue University graduate. I'm a multi-skilled web developer comfortable and familiar with both front and back-end website building, I do visual design, I strive for user-centered design, and I love coding and scripting when I can. I am comfortable using any operating system: Windows, Linux, Mac OS, etc.
I'm also a hardware nerd, and am very familiar with building computers and tech troubleshooting. I've repaired gamepads, keyboards, headphones, and even a car engine!
A journey of 1000 lines begins with a single var
Feature List:
- Proficient in HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript and PHP (including SCSS and jQuery).
- Experienced with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.
- Solid understanding of web usability and user experience.
- Avid Linux user; very familiar with the Debian-based Linux work environment.
- Familiar with MySQL, C++, Python and Visual Basic.
- Always interested in researching and learning new techniques.
- A moderate perfectionist.
- "Measure twice, cut once."
Purdue Online Writing Lab Migration
College of Liberal Arts Temporary Web Developer
As of October of 2017, I've been working as a temporary web developer for the College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University. I've handled many miscellaneous assignments, such as custom slideshows and feature pages, but my main task was to migrate the Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) from its old server into the Cascade content management system. This task was complicated due to the database design of the OWL and the manual nature of content creation in Cascade. However, I'm proud to say that the OWL is now live and all of its content is accurately migrated. I've also ensured that it is mobile-friendly and ready to be viewed on tablets and smartphones.
In order to streamline the process of accurately moving the OWL's content, I created a custom web tool. I simply input the URL of the OWL page I'm working on, and a series of filters, organized into profiles, process that page's code. Using this tool, I automated the detail work that would have otherwise taken an immense amount of time (making images and embedded documents mobile-friendly, cleaning up messy code and outdated sections, etc).
SIGGRAPH Store Site
Paper Replacement Website
For five semesters at Purdue University (Fall 2014 to Fall 2016), I managed a club store that sold office supplies, snacks and drinks. Student volunteers that would run the store had several documents they needed to sign and fill out: attendance log, receipts, dates, all written by hand every time. It was a cumbersome system.
I made a website to replace as much of the paperwork as I could. Using PHP, MySQL, a little JavaScript, and an old laptop, student volunteers now simply log into the site with a username and password. Now, sales are as easy as entering a quantity and hitting enter; the system keeps track of everything else.
Technologies used:
- An old laptop
- Linux CrunchBang
- Vagrant
- HTML5 and CSS3
- SASS
- PHP
- MySQL
- JavaScript
The database keeps track of everything the paperwork used to; which user did what at what time.
I handed the Store Manager position over to another student when I graduated. Before I did so, I organized and commented the code thoroughly, so future developers are able to pick it up and modify it with relative ease.
Restorative Construction
Logo and Business Cards
This was a collaborative project between Trudy Townsend and myself. We were asked by a client to help design a logo and matching business cards for their start-up business. The client specified a mid-century modern style and a few desired colors, and left us to it.
We worked together on the design and had quite a bit of fun choosing fonts and color schemes. Every once in a while, we'd find a design element we both agreed worked in favor of the design, such as the shooting star through the center, or the blocks behind "Restorative". This way, we slowly hammered out a comprehensive design that our client loved.
I would create intermediate and final versions of our designs using:
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe InDesign