KLD YOUTH FOUNDATION | 2006 | Expression Engine CMS, Web Design

My Role: I was the sole Expression Engine website designer, developer, and graphic designer for the KLD Youth Foundation website. I also designed all site elements, including typography, graphics, colors, and branding, to align with KLD's vision and branding.

Project Description: For more than seven years, working directly with the CFO, KLD Youth Foundation remained a valued client. KLD, a private school, focuses on providing tailored education for special needs children who face challenges in the public school system due to various factors like their home environment, mental health, or learning disabilities. As a Christian organization, KLD is committed to serving its community.

KLD's website served as a platform to showcase the school and its students. The website aimed to promote the school's mission, highlight upcoming events, share online class schedules, and distribute assignments effectively. Additionally, I had the opportunity to develop several other websites for them and create engaging graphics and print materials, such as brochures and automobile wraps, to support their outreach efforts further.

Challenge: Design a website that would captivate the attention of young people while effectively showcasing KLD. It needed to be engaging with dynamic elements and cater to the accessibility needs of students with disabilities. Moreover, the site should provide administrators with the ability to upload class assignments and announce upcoming events using various media formats like text, images, and video.

Solution: To meet this challenge, I opted for Expression Engine, a developer's CMS, to build the website. Expression Engine provided a versatile platform where I could create custom sections empowering administrators to manage content seamlessly—uploading, deleting, or modifying content instantly. Moreover, adhering to strict accessibility guidelines mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was paramount. Leveraging CSS, JavaScript, and images, I incorporated dynamic sections and visually engaging elements, effectively depicting significant events associated with KLD.

About the Expression Engine CMS: Expression Engine is a highly adaptable CMS, above and beyond WordPress, granting developers full autonomy over design, markup, and site architecture. With EE, there's no interference with my code or the client's vision, making it ideal for bespoke development. The developer meticulously customizes every aspect, from frontend aesthetics to backend functionality. By constructing a site within the EE platform, I can ensure there will be no compromises in realizing the client's vision.

Client: KLD Youth Foundation

Date: 2006

• Website Development

• Website Design

• Expression Engine CMS

• CSS3, HTML, PHP, and JavaScript

• Custom Images and Graphics

• Branding

• Site Optimization