Web

Development is not only about doing or making, but also providing, guiding, assisting, and educating.
Design is not just the result of clicking a few things in Photoshop, but listening to the needs, discussing the options, and providing solutions.

UX | UI Any website is the culmination of many facets. Good User Experience and User Interface result in great websites which drive business goals while servicing the site user in engaging ways.

Web Architecture uses technical, aesthetic, and functional criteria to plan and develop websites while paying particular attention to web content and web design, with the focus being on the user and on user requirements.

Simply said: Web Architecture means structuring a website to achieve business goals.

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Highlights   →

We make professional, beautiful and usable web sites

Web Architecture

Web Architecture interlaces and combines several fields:

  • web usability
  • information architecture
  • user experience design
  • user interface design
  • human-computer interaction
  • interaction design
  • information design
  • web design
  • graphic design

Web Architecture is the masterminded creation of a website’s strategy, information structure, technology, design, and usability.

A Web Architect sees the world through two lenses: information that needs structure, and structures that need form. It’s not enough for sites to function well; as I see it, they need to function beautifully. — Paul D. Gurney, PDG

The initial purpose of a website is usually based on an idea of the owner, and most business owners will have a sense what they want to achieve with their new website, without having the specific background knowledge of how to reach this goal. Clarifying and distilling the objectives and requirements is the first step for a Web Architect before beginning to plan the specifics.

Web Architects conceptualize the structure of a website and plan exactly how different components will be linked together which includes a mix of:

  • Consulting to set maximized goals for the website.
  • Competition research.
  • Content development and architecture to support objectives and business goals.
  • User Experience (UX) - User flows to create a website based on behavioral psychology.
  • User Interface (UI) - Website layout and design.
  • Website construction and development.

The duties of a Web Architect are far-reaching, more than only coding markup language (HTML) or using a graphical program to create a web page. They need to have good knowledge of Content Management Systems (CMS), user-friendly and accessible navigation practices, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and how to implement a variety of goals in modern, responsive websites.

Web Architects may also work with databases. Additionally, Web Architects need to have skills in trouble-shooting various aspects of websites, prevent broken links and media that fails to load correctly.

Development

Services

  • User Experience (UX)
  • User Interface (UI)
  • Wireframing
  • Prototyping
  • Web Development
  • Responsive Websites
  • 508 Compliance
  • Mobile Solutions
  • Wordpress Custom CMS
  • Wordpress Custom Plugins
  • Wordpress Custom Themes

Latest Projects   →
Highlights   →



Skills

  • User-friendly Design
  • Wireframing to get started
  • Server-side scripting through PHP
  • Semantically correct HTML5
  • Clean and beautiful CSS3
  • Write less, use SASS/SCSS
  • Do more with Compass
  • Interactivity through Javascript
  • Write less, do more with jQuery


Reviews

  • As a developer, she is a pleasure to work with. She has the unique ability to see multiple use-cases at once and then find the right solution. As a programmer, she is simply brilliant. During our time working together, I was constantly amazed by her skill as a back-end developer, html production artist, and overall organization and attention to detail.  — Stanley Communications
  • She has written several HTML websites laced with heavy, great quality CSS. If there were any issues with the build, related to programming, or functionality, Marlyse would not hesitate to correct them or to provide support for the code and the turn around time has always been beyond expectations.  — Nicholas Kurucz
  • Marlyse is a joy to work with and can always be relied upon to come in on time and on budget. She is able to able to take a minimal amount of information and somehow come up with a solution that not only works, but looks great as well.  — John Slater
  • Marlyse is the ideal developer - not only is she fast, thorough, and exceedingly accurate in her work - she is also very thoughtful about what she's working on and as a result can anticipate issues and ask questions that prevent future re-work. (and she's got a great sense of humor and is just generally fun to work with). I have tried to request Marlyse on all my projects, but she's in demand. It is always a pleasure to work with her and I hope to work with her again in the future!  — Susannah Sulsar, Director of Customer Experience Marketing at Barkley
  • Marlyse's drive is relentless and and work ethic is unrivaled. She came in late on a project with a narrowing timeline and unfamiliar technologies but still managed to exceed all expectations! Anyone would be lucky to have Marlyse on their team!  — Matthew Whitney
  • I've hired (I prefer colaborated) with Marlyse on both architectural related visulization and graphic production work. I would highly recommend her for any work across the graphic and design spectrum. Her background as an artist ads a dimension to her work that you will not often get in today's specializing work force.  — Craig Beddow
  • In the years that I've known and worked with Marlyse Comte, I can easily say that she is a "go to" expert in the business of creating and developing cost-effective web marketing solutions for our range of clients. Marlyse has always offered our company highest value and highest quality on web builds, as well as excellent advice on solutions to common functionality issues. I would recommend her service again and again.  — KCWMS
  • Marlyse's love of learning brings a depth of expertise to my projects that I rarely find in other web designers/developers. She uses technology to solve problems and to organize projects and therefore her work is creative, exceptionally-managed, and benefits from the latest developer solutions available.  — Michelle Jackson Loher
  • We had high demands and a short timeline, but Marlyse took it with a smile. With one day of orientation Marlyse was able to pick up everything and needed little supervision. She helped out even when request came in over the weekend and late in the day. She was a true team player and I was very pleased in her commitment to the project.  — Eric Goeken,Technical Director at Barkley
  • Marlyse has been a pleasure to work with! I've been fortunate enough to work with her on a few of our projects and she consistently delivers. She's very knowledgeable, focused, easy to work with, and is great a communicating issues and obstacles she's running up against and how she plans on overcoming them. She doesn't throw any surprises at you during a project. I look forward to working with her on many more projects in the future.  — Chad Milam, Creative Technologist at Barkley
  • Marlyse was very flexible, communicated well with the team and was able to jump in on multiple projects because she could come up to speed quickly.  — Scott Finnerty, SVP/Technical Strategy and Services
We build web sites

Design

Graphic Design as background and years of experience lead to being well versed in all forms of visual communication : web design, logo development, branding and corporate identity.

Latest Projects   →

Good design engages the user in a positive way, no matter if it is in the form of a printed brochure or a shopping cart on the web. Human-centered design zones in on the problems, goals, needs, emotions and behavior of people in relation to the product.

Any of the 3 aspects — understanding the context of use (why would someone use it), specifying user requirements (what can be done with it), and the design solutions (how is its functionality and aesthetics) — need to be evaluated against business requirements.

Excellent User Experience (UX) Design considers the entirety of a product and the user. Seamless, fluid experience for the user is void of any possible frictions or barriers, making an application accessible and pleasant to interact with.

We create web sites

Lounge

mStudiosTALK

 

Tidbits

You can find me in many places on the internet, but probably you are mostly interested in LinkedIn and Facebook.

Then there is also a slew of information to be found at mStudiosTALK — mostly code related tips and tricks, but also design and gadget related stuff, next to resources and more.

Some of my more current work can be found right here:

Latest Projects   →
Highlights   →

If you feel you would like to plunge into the dark past, you can always head over to my archives. It is a neglected section and has not been updated in years, dating back to almost prehistoric times and crossing over into other areas I have dabbled in.

Archives 2010-2014   →
Archives 2005-2009   →

We make web sites

About

STUDIOS
NOUN: Workplace for the teaching or practice of an art.
PLURAL: stu·di·os.
ETHYMOLOGY: Early 19th cent. : from Italian < Latin studium, eagerness, application ☛ study.
SYLLABICATION: stu·dio
PRONOUNCIATION: ʹst(y)oōdēˌō

mStudios believes it's not just about doing or making, but also providing, guiding, assisting, and educating. Design is not just the result of clicking a few things in Photoshop, but listening to the needs, discussing the options, and proving solutions.

mStudios is a design studio which is not only active in one aspect of graphic design but covers a wide array of creative challenges.
Contact me   →

Thinking about recruiting me? This is my current Resume   →

I endeavor to create real world, functional and usable solutions that meet your needs and exceed your expectations.

Latest Projects   →

We design and build web sites

ContAct

Contact: Questions, comments or work are always welcome.

Email:

Phone: (913) 735-6674


We make professional, beautiful and usable web sites

News

These are some of the most recent project completed — my contribution being either partial or all.

[Spring 2019] This year brings many new and exciting challenges — and also this redesigned site. The original idea has evolved over the years and finally has come to fruition. It includes a flat PHP database and many custom javascript features.

[Winter 2018] I am proud to have finally brought all applications at work (with which I was directly involved) to full 508 and WCAG 2.0 Compliance.

[2018] The latest financial application features now split payment options for credit card, cash, check, money order, and traveler's check. The design and flow remain clean and beautiful, despite many configuration options.


Latest Projects

CCP Cashier

UXUI Design & Development CCP Cashier

Client
NIC Inc.

URL
N/A

Info
Design and contribution to this over-the-counter financial application. Iteration stages included: single credit card processing, card or paper (cash, check, money order) transaction, split transactions.

Invisible Sun

WordPress / BuddyPress Custom Theme Invisible Sun

Client
Monte Cook Games

URL
app.invisiblesunrpg.com

Info
Designed and developed this responsive web application which accompanies the Invisible Sun role-playing tabletop game. It includes private groups and user access only, in-play chat, card animations and more.

Vital Records

UXUI Design & Development Vital Records

Client
NIC Inc.

URL
N/A

Info
Redesign and implementation for an existing, fixed width, default theme. The challenge was to create a responsive, 508 compliant application without breaking existing custom themes.

Modal Messages

UI Design & Development Modal Messages

Client
NIC Inc.

URL
N/A

Info
A series of modal messages, written in a modular fashion to allow easy integration into different projects.



Highlights

InContext

UXUI Design & Development InContext

Client
NIC Inc.

Info
Design and development of the prototype of an iFrame eCommerce solution. The application allows for loading an external checkout site and communication between both websites.

Specs
Responsive, Photoshop, PHP, jQuery, Javascript, HTML5, CSS3, CSS3 Animations, Sass/Compass

eGovExpress Admin

UXUI Design & Development EGA

Client
NIC Inc.

Info
Design and development of the prototype of a backend site for administrators of the EGA application. The tool allows for searching, adding and modifying users, next to resetting passwords and looking up transactions and their details.

Specs
Responsive, Photoshop, PHP, jQuery, Javascript, HTML5, CSS3, CSS3 Animations, SASS/Compass

Candid

Wordpress Custom Theme Candid

Client
Candid Marketing + Communications

Info
Complete rewrite from someone else's two failed attempts to create this challenging website. Customized sections for team members and portfolio next to easily changeable background images make it an enduser friendly CMS for this award-winning, client-centric branding, marketing, advertising, public relations and interactive agency.

Specs
Custom Wordpress Theme, Mobile First, Responsive, PHP, HTML5, CSS3, SASS/Compass, jQuery, Javascript, Custom Taxonomy and Post Types, Animations, Photoshop

O’Connor Woods

Wordpress Child Theme O’Connor Woods

Client
GlynnDevins

Info
From a provided design, this project consisted of modifying and updating an existing theme into a new theme for a Senior Living Community. This included the creation of 12 different templates and merging old and new code. Integration of various Wordpress Plugins for Scrolling Sliders, Events Calendar, Photos and Videos.

Specs
Wordpress Child Theme, Mobile, Responsive, PHP, HTML5, CSS3, SASS/Compass, jQuery

Spirit Air Unbundler

Micro Marketing Site The Unbundler

Client
Barkley › Spirit Airlines

Info
Front-End code and asset preparation for this single page micro site with video slider, Twitter feed and an animated (and working) calculator.

Specs
Responsive, Mobile First, HTML5, CSS3, SASS/Compass, jQuery, Javascript, Animations, Photoshop

VanityFair

Market Research Site VanityFair

Client
Barkley › Vanity Fair

Info
PHP site with 16 different user experiences for a market research project. The site included a Size Gate (size filter), Fit Quiz (26 pages) resulting in a “Your Suite”(best matching bras), Find Your Favorite (6 step filter tool), Bras page (with style filter option), Bra Detail page (with ‘how-to’ animated videos slider), Registration/Login page, a My Drawer section with Shopping Cart, Wish List Slider and Shopping History.

Specs
Fixed min-max width Desktop Only solution. Photoshop, PHP, jQuery, Javascript, HTML5, CSS3, SASS/Compass, Sliders, Animations

DQ Miracle Treat Day

HTML Email Newsletter Miracle Treat Day

Client
Barkley › DQ

Info
This campaign included 3 emails (2 weeks prior event, day before event and thank-you after the event) for the US, English-Canadian and French-Canadian market.

Specs
Grunt Email Workflow, Grunt, Ruby, Premailer, Mailgun, Handlebar, HTML, CSS, SASS, Photoshop, ExactTarget

DQ Ray Soundboard

Micro Site Ray Soundboard

Client
Barkley › DQ

Info
Front-End Development of this single page, responsive site. It included animated GIF and an audio library for playback of a slew of phrases.

Specs
Responsive, Mobile First, Photoshop, HTML5, CSS3, SASS/Compass, Javascript, jQuery, Animations

Sprint Wholesale

Redesign | Sitefinity CMS Sprint Wholesale

Client
Barkley › Sprint

Info
Coding of the redesigned Sprint Wholesale Solutions site plus integration of existing sections with the new design. Custom CMS layout templates for the end-user.

Specs
Dot-Net, Sitefinity, CMS, Responsive, Mobile First, HTML5, CSS3, SASS/Compass, jQuery, Javascript, Animations

Wombat Studios

Wordpress Custom Theme Wombat Studios

Client
Wombat Studios

Info
Redesign and development of an existing site. A Masonry style home page with easy options for the end-user to specify importancy of projects and which to show (mobile displaying the least for fast site loading). It needed to be solution for easy updating of the business portfolio.

Specs
Custom Wordpress Theme, Mobile First, Responsive, PHP, HTML5, CSS3, SASS/Compass, jQuery, Javascript, Custom Taxonomy, Animations

Hemosphere

Website Development Hemosphere

Client
Hemosphere

Info
Development and maintenance for this Medical Device Company over the period of 5 years. Transitioned from a customized Joomla template to a Custom Wordpress Theme and from a Flash only to an HTML5 site with mobile friendly videos and interactive map to locate doctors.

Specs
Customized Joomla Theme, Custom Wordpress Theme, Custom Interactive Map, Custom Taxonomy, Custom Post Types, HTML5, CSS3, Javascript, Photoshop

Rockhurst University

Site Redesign Rockhurst University

Client
Salva O’Renick

Info
A wonderful opportunity to be part of a great team and to write the code for the Front-End Templates of this extensive website which then got used in the robust Django/Ruby CMS solution.

Specs
HTML5, CSS3, LESS, Javascript, jQuery