About

I'm a freelance web developer based in Dublin, Ireland with over 8 years commercial experience of building websites.

I offer technical web development and site maintenance services at reasonable rates, to a wide range of clients. Services I offer include:

• Affordable, high quality web site design for both small business and individuals.
• Drupal website development, theming, hosting and maintenance.
• Bespoke web application development.
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO) – let your new or reworked website pay for itself with increased customers and revenue. Sites optimised for Google, Yahoo and MSN.
• Full accessibility compliancy to AA W3C standards for both new and for existing site upgrades

So who am I?

Well I'm just another poor sod trying to make ends meet, but if you want the details:

• Name: Tom Kirkpatrick
• Date of Birth: 03/06/1982
• Place of Birth: Croydon, London, UK
• Citizenship: British
• Gender: Male

Apart from keeping up with the latest Web tools/languages/fads, graphics packages and general Computing stuff, I enjoy reading a wide range of books - fact to fiction, listening to and playing music, riding motorbikes, keeping fit, traveling the globe and more.

Please, take a look at my portfolio. Or, if you have a project which you think I may be able to help with, or would simply like some more information please contact me.

A little history

In the beginning

I've had an affinity with computers since an early age. When I was at primary School, I began experimenting with 3D graphics and basic programming on some of the earliest computers (BBC, Commodore, Atari) . Since then, I have developed my skills, through self-teaching and dedication. My devotion, attention to detail and undeniable natural talent have proved me to be a valuable asset to all of my employers.

Starting out

After finishing school with a very healthy set of results I jumped straight into a job doing what I did best - graphic design. I worked on the computers in the back of a local art shop where I would design letterheads, business cards, menus, flyers, posters etc. Luckily for me, an up and coming local graphic design firm, Hub Marketing Services, were also operating out of the same premises. It didn't take them long to cotton on to my skills and it wasn't long before they were contracting me for graphic design work.

Moving on

Working in the back of an art shop just wasn't quite where I wanted to be, so I went looking for alternatives. I secured a job in the pre-press department of a large greetings card manufacturer where I would learn all about the printing process and really tune up my Photoshop skills. After a year or so, the company went into liquidation, and I turned back to Hub Marketing Services once again, who were keen to take me on for a full time position. We worked together for a couple of years, during which time my focus started to shift from graphic design to web design, and then from web design to web development. Once again I got itchy feet, and left the nest to find something that fit my profile a little better.

Founding Kirkdesigns

I started up Kirkdesigns in the year 2000, although It wasn't until 2007 that Kirkdesigns became much more than a way for me to have my own email domain.

From print to the web

I became the webmaster for Virus Bulletin for whom I completely rebuilt their rather static website and shifted their internal focus from printed media to the web. Another couple of years when by whilst I learned all about professional web development and found myself getting more and more involved with programming, and less involved with graphic design.

From the web to code

My focus finally completely shifted away from anything to do with the web when I became Platforms Director of Set Top Solutions (STS). STS was a homegrown idea who's goals were to see traditional television replaced with Internet streaming. I took on the job of building an embedded linux distribution that would power the set top box, as well as writing the software that would drive the front end. I learned all about the internals of Linux systems, cross compiling software and python programming. Unfortunately the project was short lived as we began to see competition form the likes of Microsoft, Apple and Sky.

Continuing Kirkdesigns

Since 2007 I have devoted myself entirely to Kirkdesigns and have won numerous contracts for several large and well respected companies. Kirkdeisgns continues to flourish, as you will no doubt see from exploring the rest of this website.