Welcome!

Located in the Twin Cities (Minnesota), Concerto Designs is a small web site design studio that offers affordable web site design, development and media services for small- to medium-sized businesses and non-profit organizations. I specialize in open-source, Content Management Systems that deliver cost-effective, user-friendly websites that are rich in features. I also provide Flash media, photography, media editing services.

Content Management Systems (CMS) allow end-users access to and control over their websites. The primary goal is to disperse and re-channel the flow of ideas and information so that end-users are able to create, edit and revise content, images, and even stylistic choices whenever they wish. Probably the most popular CMS in use today is Joomla, a platform of integrated, dynamic components that allow tremendous flexibility in a wide range of applications. I have created sites for a large ad agency in Chicago, a multi-partner, holistic healing practice in Minnetonka, the music programs at St. Mark's Cathedral (Minneapolis), Abiding Savior Lutheran Church (located at the foot of my street in Mounds View, MN), a world champion Morgan horse farm and training facility in Hugo, MN, and a piano teacher in Anoka, MN.

In addition to creating original designs and templates for these sites, I also provide organic SEO strategies, marketing consultation, and information architecture services.

Many of these sites highlight attractive graphic displays and AJAX features that have been integrated into Joomla and other CMS platforms.

Open Source Solutions

Along with Joomla, I have developed sites in other open source systems such as Wordpress, Modx, phormer, Simple Machines Forum, phpBB, and Serendipity, to name a few. All of these systems integrate user-friendly interfaces and excellent design principles that enhance rather than diminish search engine rankings. In other words, these systems are designed to make websites accessible and easy to locate. Because they tighten the connections between individuals and organizations, they become powerful tools for building communities.

This is not surprising. These systems are developed and supported by developers, programmers, and users across the globe who are not motivated primarily by profit or the desire to dominate or destroy competitors, but rather by a commitment to sharing technologies for the common good. Joomla happens to deliver high quality e-commerce functions as well as content management for non-profit organizations. And it is open-source, that is, free. This translates into lower costs for end-users and extraordinary resources for problem solving and creativity.