Toby Travis, freelance client-side web developer - Home

I'm a freelance front-end web developer, based in North London. I've been building web sites for over 7 years, and have worked for both new media agencies and public sector institutions.

I'm adept at translating designs into standards-compliant XHTML, CSS and Javascript, maintaining a separation between content, presentation and behaviour layers. I always ensure that web pages are thoroughly tested in all major browsers, and that content degrades gracefully when viewed using old browser versions. I am experienced in writing code which meets rigorous accessibility standards.

I also have experience of using the Google Maps API, and have produced mapping applications for the V&A and the BBC.

Availability

I'm currently busy working on a 3 month project at the BBC. I am anticipating being free to undertake new contracts from September 2008.

Recent Projects

Clients

I've worked for a number of high-profile clients including LBi (No 2. in NMA Top 100 2007), the BBC, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Big Lottery Fund, the British National Space Centre, the DTI and the Basic Skills Agency. I've also built PHP web applications for small business, including a wine merchant and numerous restaurants. Last year I set up and ran both a successful podcast channel for the V&A and a popular blog. Recently, I've been developing the Tag:London mashup, a personal project which has provided an opportunity to experiment with various Web 2.0 APIs, including flickr, technorati and Google maps.

Blogs

Blogs are a good way to keep up with what's going on in the world, and on the web. A List Apart is a must for the client-side coder. Creating Passionate Users is an inspired blog exploring how to, er, create passionate users. Having worked at the V&A for a while, I'm interested in how museums and galleries are using digital technologies in often innovative ways; the Sydney Powerhouse Museum's fresh + new blog keeps me up to speed with this area. I also write my own blog, the Veg Box Diaries.

Web books

I'm not a digital native, so I still like to learn stuff from books as well as online. Here's a shelf of web-related books I've found interesting or useful.