Textivism: Markup & Language by Erik Vorhes

I’m Erik Vorhes, an accessibility advocate, design techologist, writer, and web developer. Welcome to Textivism, my portfolio and digital playground. I specialize in semantic HTML and cutting-edge CSS. I play with a lot of things, Django and jQuery being my favorites. The curious can learn more about me by reading Drasty Speche or following me on Twitter.

Although I’m unavailable for full-time work, if you have an interesting project and think I can be of service: by all means, .

Philosophy

I believe that the web should be accessible, readable, and useable and that design is most beautiful when it calls attention to content instead of itself. To those ends, in design I prioritize grid-based layouts and precise typography, and in front-end development I emphasize reusable code and progressive enhancement—separating structure, style, and interaction—with semantic HTML, CSS-based layouts, and unobtrusive JavaScript.

Featured Work

Fidelia’s Sisters

The flagship publication of The Young Clergy Women Project, Fidelia’s Sisters launched in September 2007. I designed the masthead / logo and general site layout; I used XHTML 1.0, CSS 2.1, and the TypePad templating language to transform a blogging engine into something like an online journal.

Accessibility at Tanagram Partners

I wrote the accessibility “manifesto” for Tanagram Partners and worked to educate their team and clients on best practices. This work included co-presenting on “Beyond Accessibility” with Joseph Juhnke at the August 2008 Aquent gathering in Chicago.

Other Projects

  • I am a senior web developer with VSA Partners, where I write HTML, CSS, and JavaScript—and do my best to make our projects as accessible as possible.
  • Previously I did freelance front-end development for Arc Worldwide, mostly on .NET projects.
  • Balance Health + Wellness: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, information architecture and design consultation, with a custom-built, Django-powered, adjective-laden back-end.
  • erikanderica.org: Undergoing its first major redesign since 2004, I’m doing the design, building everything new in HTML 5, and porting content to an updated, custom-built Django CMS.
  • Tanagram Partners: HTML and CSS, as well as accessibility and design consultation.
  • Print design and promotions for the 15th Annual McElroy Shakespeare Celebration at Loyola University Chicago. (I did the 16th, too, but like the design work a little less.)
  • Fox Valley Presbyterian Church: Cleaned up after the tag soup left by Microsoft Publisher, added friendly URLs, and added Google Maps functionality.

Ephemera and other things (probably not worth your time)

This content is copyright © 2010, some rights reserved; clients, et al., retain their own intellectual property rights. Along with fantastic hosting from WebFaction, I use HTML 5, CSS, jQuery, and Django to hold things together. More to come!