DB Logo
Background Layer Layer 7 Layer 6 Layer 5 Layer 4 Layer 3 Layer 2 Foreground Layer

ABOUT

ABOUT ME

AUTHENTICITY CREATIVITY SPECIFICITY

MY WEB DEVELOPMENT JOURNEY

From early explorations in coding while running a brewery, to mastering the art of creating seamless user experiences, this is the story behind my growth as a web developer. Discover the skills, projects, and personal insights that drive my passion for crafting impactful digital solutions.

Click an icon below for more info:

About Me

Your Headshot

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:

  • Physical Fitness: Engaging in some physical activity most days, and challenging myself with new workouts.
  • Horticulture: Cultivating plants and designing lush indoor and outdoor spaces.
  • Woodworking: Crafting custom furniture and unique wooden creations.
  • Traveling: Exploring new places and drawing inspiration from diverse cultures.
  • 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:

  • 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.
  • Frameworks and Libraries: Proficiency in React and the MERN stack, enabling the creation of dynamic and interactive applications.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Version Control: Advanced knowledge of Git and GitHub ensures seamless collaboration and efficient project management.
  • SEO & Digital Marketing: Proven ability to elevate online presence through data-driven social media strategies, search engine optimization, and engaging content creation.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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

  • Begin by understanding the client's vision, goals, and target audience.
  • Conduct comprehensive research to define project scope, timelines, and deliverables.
  • Collaborate to ensure alignment on aesthetics, functionality, and user needs.

2. Design with Purpose

  • Focus on clean, user-centered layouts that enhance usability and accessibility, with movements and interactions that feel natural and engaging.
  • Optimize hover effects, animations, and scroll behaviors to create a seamless and satisfying user experience.
  • Ensure all designs are mobile-first, fully responsive, and intuitive.

3. Development with Precision

  • Focus on clean, user-centered layouts that enhance usability and accessibility, with movements and interactions that feel natural and engaging.
  • Optimize hover effects, animations, and scroll behaviors to create a seamless and satisfying user experience.
  • Ensure all designs are mobile-first, fully responsive, and intuitive.

4. E-Commerce and SEO Optimization

  • Expertise in launching and managing e-commerce platforms, including Shopify and Squarespace.
  • Integrate and manage features such as print-on-demand apparel stores to expand functionality and increase revenue.
  • Optimize all platforms for search engines, ensuring high visibility and user engagement.

5. Deployment and Hosting

  • Manage domains, hosting, and deployment using services like GitHub, Namecheap, and Netlify.
  • Ensure seamless transitions from development to production, with robust testing for performance and security.
  • Provide ongoing maintenance and updates to keep websites running smoothly.

6. Collaboration and Feedback

  • Foster open communication and iterative feedback to adapt to evolving needs.
  • Translate technical concepts into clear, actionable insights for clients and team members.

7. Continuous Improvement

  • Analyze user data and feedback to refine functionality and design.
  • 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!

PROJECTS

MY WORK

[Sort by]

HOVER OVER IMAGE for preview

TAP IMAGE for preview

Web Project 1

Freelance Digital Design Site

Current work in progress. This is my freelance site. I specialize in creating sharp, visually appealing websites that prioritize user-friendly experiences. My approach to web development focuses on designing sites that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also easy to navigate, ensuring that visitors can find what they need quickly and effortlessly.

I understand the importance of a strong, professional online presence, and my goal is to help businesses achieve just that. Whether you're looking to revamp your current website or build a new one from scratch, I am here to bring your vision to life with a perfect blend of functionality and style.

Web Project 2

Property Management Group

My most comprehensive project to date. I plan on developing a few different templates for property management companies. The goal for this one is highly responsive and easily navigable. Whether you are a tenant or owner, current or prospective, you should be able to find what you're looking for on this site with ease.

Web Project 3

Dan Bray's Web Development Portfolio

You're lookin at it.. a fully responsive/functional portfolio website.

Web Project 3

Broken Chair Brewery

Website remake for a small, family-owned craft brewery.

Web Project 3

Leno

Mock website designed as a landing page for a tech productivity app assistant.

Web Project 3

Lumina

Photography gallery website with the use of CSS Grid and Lightbox JavaScript for photo display.

Web Project 3

Tutor

Website for tech education platform.

Web Project 3

Hotel Website

Basic hotel website landing page.

Web Project 3

Bono

Landing / Contact form page for a CMS service.

Web Project 3

Placeholder

Description of project.

Web Project 3

Placeholder

Description of project.

Web Project 3

Placeholder

Description of project.

Web Project 3

Placeholder

Description of project.

Web Project 3

Placeholder

Description of project.

Web Project 3

Placeholder

Description of project.

GET IN TOUCH

GET
IN
TOUCH

Have a question or inquiry? Leave your information below and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.