Experience

Samantha Urquhart has been a web developer since 1996, when she started a small business with a partner in London providing front-end code and graphics production to the web industry as it developed.

Clients and employers have included The BBC, News International, UpMyStreet.com, Chello Broadband and various web agencies. Sites have included bbc.co.uk, news.bbc.co.uk, diy.com (for B&Q), lineone.net, carphonewarehouse.com, rspb.org.uk, stopesso.com and the award-winning faxyourmp.com (fore-runner to writetothem.com, now part of mysociety.org).
Having experienced a wide variety of technologies, platforms, methodologies and company cultures, Sam has the ability to listen, comprehend and communicate complex problems simply.

Skills

  • Information Architecture and User Experience
    • Planning and structuring user-friendly websites
    • Practical knowledge of web accessibility, usability and browser compatibility
  • Website development
    • Clean XHTML & CSS coding using Notepad
    • Practical application of XHTML & CSS accessibility methods according to W3C & WebAIM guidelines
    • Direct experience of content management systems (CMS) including Wordpress, Drupal & Movable Type
    • Graphics production using Photoshop, Imageready & GIMP
  • People Skills
    • Team leader and player
    • Competent conceptual grasp of both back-end systems and the user experience, facilitating dialogue between technical and non-technical team members