About Me
I’m Dan Bray, a motivated and detail-oriented professional with a
passion for creativity and technology. After 8 years of excelling in
the craft beer industry, I’m transitioning my skills and experience
into a career in web development and digital design. Throughout my
career, I’ve honed my abilities in project management, web and
graphic design, social media strategy, and e-commerce development.
At Broken Chair Brewery, I managed every facet of operations, from
crafting award-winning beer recipes to spearheading digital
marketing campaigns. My efforts elevated the brewery to become a
community favorite and the county’s “Best Craft Brewery” every year
the award was available (they got rid of it).
Beyond brewing, I designed all visual branding, including can
labels, apparel, and merchandise, while also managing the brewery’s
website and social media presence. In addition to my brewery career,
I’ve built successful e-commerce stores and provided freelance
graphic design services. These ventures allowed me to design and
market custom merchandise across platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and
eBay, where my designs achieved top search rankings. I’m currently
advancing my web development skills through certifications and
hands-on projects. My portfolio showcases my commitment to crafting
impactful digital solutions while enhancing my proficiency in tools
such as the MERN stack and WordPress, and reflects my passion for
building custom-coded websites.
Hobbies/Interests
Outside of web development, I thrive on creativity and exploration.
My hobbies complement my work by fueling my creativity, attention to
detail, and drive to learn. You’ll often find me experimenting with:
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Physical Fitness: Engaging in some physical activity most days,
and challenging myself with new workouts.
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Horticulture: Cultivating plants and designing lush indoor and
outdoor spaces.
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Woodworking: Crafting custom furniture and unique wooden
creations.
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Traveling: Exploring new places and drawing inspiration from
diverse cultures.
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Interior Design: Bringing spaces to life with thoughtful
aesthetics and functionality.
My Skills
Crafting Impactful Digital Solutions with Precision and Creativity
My skills as a web developer combine a deep understanding of design,
technology, and user-centered thinking. Transitioning from a
successful career in the craft beer industry to web development has
sharpened my ability to tackle diverse challenges and deliver
exceptional results. This journey has also honed my patience for
achieving very specific desired results, strengthened my
troubleshooting expertise, and instilled a strong focus on
meticulous attention to detail—qualities that have been invaluable
in both maintaining clean, sanitary environments and creating
polished digital solutions. Here’s what I bring to the table:
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Frontend Development: Expertise in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript,
along with Bootstrap, ensures sleek, responsive websites optimized
for both desktop and mobile experiences. I am adept at acquiring
domains and launching websites, utilizing platforms like GitHub,
Namecheap, and Netlify to host and deploy web projects
efficiently.
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Frameworks and Libraries: Proficiency in React and the MERN stack,
enabling the creation of dynamic and interactive applications.
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E-commerce Expertise: Experienced in building and managing stores
on platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and eBay, with a strong track
record of optimizing for SEO, user experience, and sales growth.
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E-commerce Expertise: Experienced in building and managing stores
on platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and eBay, with a strong track
record of optimizing for SEO, user experience, and sales growth.
Additionally, I successfully ran and managed a Squarespace
business site with a fully functional print-on-demand apparel
store seamlessly integrated into the website, driving customer
engagement and revenue.
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Version Control: Advanced knowledge of Git and GitHub ensures
seamless collaboration and efficient project management.
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SEO & Digital Marketing: Proven ability to elevate online presence
through data-driven social media strategies, search engine
optimization, and engaging content creation.
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Web Design Principles: Adept at blending functionality with
aesthetic appeal to deliver websites that are not only visually
stunning but also intuitive and user-friendly.
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Web Design Principles: Adept at blending functionality with
aesthetic appeal to deliver websites that are not only visually
stunning but also intuitive and user-friendly.
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Problem Solving: Passionate about breaking down complex problems
and crafting elegant, efficient solutions with a focus on
innovation and detail.
This combination of skills equips me to transform creative concepts
into tangible, impactful web experiences. Whether it’s developing from
scratch, leveraging tools like Bootstrap for rapid prototyping, or
using jQuery for advanced interactivity, I thrive on delivering
excellence that meets and exceeds expectations.
Projects
Projects are listed here, comprehensive project display and
explanation on the
projects page below
Freelance Business Website - Simple, responsive, smooth
website for a small family brewery.
Property Management Group (PMG) - Simple, responsive, smooth
website for a small family brewery.
Broken Chair Brewery - Simple, responsive, smooth website for
a small family brewery.
Broken Chair Brewery - Simple, responsive, smooth website for
a small family brewery.
Broken Chair Brewery - Simple, responsive, smooth website for
a small family brewery.
Broken Chair Brewery - Simple, responsive, smooth website for
a small family brewery.
Project 6 - Project 6 description
Development Approach
In every project, my approach to web development is rooted in
precision, creativity, and a deep commitment to delivering
websites that drive engagement, enhance user experience, and
achieve measurable success. Whether it's for my work-in-progress
freelance website, or for a client, the ultimate goal is to
attract new customers, provide a seamless experience that fosters
lasting connections, and ultimately drive increased sales.
Transitioning from a career managing the complexities of the craft
beer industry to web development, I have honed a meticulous
attention to detail, a problem-solving mindset, and an unwavering
focus on user satisfaction. I am obsessed with creating movements
and functionalities that make sense, feel intuitive, and are
inherently satisfying—whether it's scroll behavior, hover
characteristics, or ensuring elements adapt seamlessly and
beautifully as the viewport changes. Here’s how I bring concepts
to life:
1. Discovery and Planning
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Begin by understanding the client's vision, goals, and target
audience.
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Conduct comprehensive research to define project scope,
timelines, and deliverables.
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Collaborate to ensure alignment on aesthetics, functionality,
and user needs.
2. Design with Purpose
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Focus on clean, user-centered layouts that enhance usability and
accessibility, with movements and interactions that feel natural
and engaging.
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Optimize hover effects, animations, and scroll behaviors to
create a seamless and satisfying user experience.
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Ensure all designs are mobile-first, fully responsive, and
intuitive.
3. Development with Precision
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Focus on clean, user-centered layouts that enhance usability and
accessibility, with movements and interactions that feel natural
and engaging.
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Optimize hover effects, animations, and scroll behaviors to
create a seamless and satisfying user experience.
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Ensure all designs are mobile-first, fully responsive, and
intuitive.
4. E-Commerce and SEO Optimization
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Expertise in launching and managing e-commerce platforms,
including Shopify and Squarespace.
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Integrate and manage features such as print-on-demand apparel
stores to expand functionality and increase revenue.
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Optimize all platforms for search engines, ensuring high
visibility and user engagement.
5. Deployment and Hosting
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Manage domains, hosting, and deployment using services like
GitHub, Namecheap, and Netlify.
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Ensure seamless transitions from development to production, with
robust testing for performance and security.
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Provide ongoing maintenance and updates to keep websites running
smoothly.
6. Collaboration and Feedback
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Foster open communication and iterative feedback to adapt to
evolving needs.
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Translate technical concepts into clear, actionable insights for
clients and team members.
7. Continuous Improvement
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Analyze user data and feedback to refine functionality and
design.
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Stay current with web trends and technologies, continuously
enhancing skills to provide cutting-edge solutions.
By blending technical expertise with creativity and a user-focused
mindset, I craft websites and applications that are as functional
as they are visually compelling. Whether building from scratch or
optimizing existing platforms, my approach ensures that every
project exceeds expectations.
Let's Connect
I’m always open to collaborating on innovative projects, sharing
ideas, or exploring exciting opportunities. Whether you’re looking
for a dedicated team member or seeking a creative partnership, I’d
love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out via the
contact page below, and let’s
create something impactful together!