About Idea15 Web Design

Idea15 Web Design is me, Heather Burns.

I am a professional web site designer with over eleven years of experience in site creation and maintenance. I have also trained in web standards, search engine optimisation, web site accessibility, graphic design, desktop publishing, and copyediting.

Before going pro, I worked as a marketing and communications manager in a public sector not-for-profit agency, although the fact that they were a public sector not-for-profit agency was news to them. In that role, I was responsible for internal communications, external marketing, public relations, printed materials, and branding. In my native US, I was an executive assistant to a CEO working at the highest levels of Washington DC's pressure cooker, mastering the fine art of speaking in three languages while knowing what was going on in 18 countries at any given time.

After running off with a good looking shinty player and spending a few years struggling to fit in to the Scottish work force - and failing miserably at it, which is actually a compliment - I decided to create my own niche, and Idea15 Web Design was born in 2007.

Accreditations and Affiliations

In 2007 I achieved the CIW Professional accreditation in web site design methodology and technology.

I am also a member of the following web design and business organisations:

How I work

I am a sole trader. I have an excellent and active network of professional contacts, including database specialists, programmers, graphic designers, photographers, and other assorted geeks. This allows me to identify the right subcontractor for specific tasks.

For all projects, I use BT Workspace, an online project management utility, to track and assess progress. My clients are given their own Workspace login, allowing them to supervise and comment on the work.

I use FreeAgent for time tracking, invoicing, and finance. FreeAgent is a brilliant finance and accounting site for freelancers in the service sector and I highly recommend it to any web designer, graphic designer, or consultant.

For web site hosting, I have my own server. This means that if a technical issue arises with your web site, I am able to fix it at the source immediately with no middleman.

All web site design projects are performed to a written contract. For consultancy, contracts are available on request.

Who I work with

My client base includes sole traders, small businesses, and charities and community groups. Although I am based near Glasgow, Scotland, the nature of the web means that I can work with clients anywhere.

Regardless of location or business type, I work best with passionate people. If you love what you do, if you can't wait to get out of bed in the morning, and if you have the desire to show that energy on your web site, we will work well together. If you are going through the motions, don't understand what you are asking for, and don't want to participate in the life of your web site, please find another designer.

Everything else you need to know

ISTJ, double Sagittarius, Man City, recovering former gifted child, skittle, Gene Hunt.