Grab Creative

Web Design, Development, Digital Marketing, and Consulting

Please feel free to contact me at chris@chrisgrab.com

OUR STORY BEGINS

In Boston, at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. 

Entering as an Illustration major, I soon discovered an interest in Web Design and Programming, and changed the focus of my studies. My first professional project was doing design work, HTML coding, and content management for the school’s nascent website.

Ancient Screenshots Available!

GET TO KNOW ME: EARLY DAYS OF BLOGGING

TRUE or FALSE: in the early 2000s I had a personal blog.

That's right!
On my blog I featured my creative projects like art, music, and writing.
I was also a guest writer on a few other blogs!

It was true!
On my blog I featured my creative projects like art, music, and writing.
I was also a guest writer on a few other blogs!

LIFE CONTINUES IN BOSTON

In addition to my studies at MassArt, I also began to gain real world experience through professional design and development positions.

BITWISE INTERNET TECHNOLOGIES – CD-ROM Production / Clip-Art Illustration

What Did That Entail?
  • I was on the production team that created clip art images for the Pixel Monkey Web Graphics CD-ROM.
  • I also contributed to the accompanying web design by coding HTML and creating graphics for the Pixel Monkey web site.
  • I also managed the database which kept track of the images being completed by the illustration team.

LENK AND ASSOCIATES – Multimedia Designer / Programmer

    Tell Me More About That!
    • I was the primary multimedia programmer for the WhaleNet Guide to Marine Mammals CD-ROM, produced for Wheelock College in Boston.
    • I developed the application with Macromedia Director, relying heavily on Macromedia’s Lingo scripting language and the FileFlex Xtra for database integration.
    • I also designed the interface and created all the necessary graphics.

    WEBIVORE KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS – Web Designer

    Sounds Interesting!
    • As Webivore’s primary Web Designer I was in charge of creating graphics, layout, organization, and all other aspects of design and maintenance for several incarnations of the Webivore website.
    • I was the user interface designer for Webivore’s educational web application, and worked with the Java and Oracle programming team to integrate their back-end code with my front-end designs.
    • I also created promotional animations with Macromedia Flash and Director.

      LOTUS DEVELOPMENT CORP. – HTML/Lotus Notes Web Programmer

      And What Was That Like?
      • This was a contract position through the CDI corporation, which placed me in charge of maintaining the web content for the marketing department of the Messaging & Collaboration Division of Lotus.
      • Our department’s main marketing focus was an early instant messenger platform called Lotus Sametime
      • My primary duties involved updating our website each day with new information, coding HTML and using Lotus Notes databases to organize dynamic content. This position also included some design, graphics, and Flash work.

      GET TO KNOW ME: LEAVING BOSTON

      What was the exact moment that I realized I was going to leave Boston and move South?

      Not quite yet!
      It was three years after I moved away when the Red Sox finally won the World Series. The real reason I moved was because I was waiting for the bus one Winter when a car drove by me, hit a puddle, and absolutely drenched me from head to toe in freezing water and slush. That was the exact moment I decided I was moving to warmer climes.

      Yes, that was it!
      I was waiting for the bus one Winter when a car drove by me, hit a puddle, and absolutely drenched me from head to toe in freezing water and slush. That was the exact moment I decided I was moving to warmer climes.

      That wasn't the reason.
      It's true that there was a sushi place on Boylston Street that I went to every week until it closed down without warning, but the reason I moved away from Boston was because I was waiting for the bus one Winter when a car drove by me, hit a puddle, and absolutely drenched me from head to toe in freezing water and slush. That was the exact moment I decided I was moving to warmer climes.

       

      TO NEW ORLEANS!

       

      New Orleans was a very fun, but somewhat strange place to live. One of those places that’s such a well-known tourist destination, it feels weird to go about your normal, daily business, like picking up groceries and going to work.

      But go to work, I did! 

      BENT MEDIA – Web Production Artist

      What Did You Do There?
      • At Bent Media I was on the Web Production team, which designed and managed web sites for clients such as Tabasco and Oreck Vacuums. My duties included HTML and Javascript programming, creating graphics and banner ads, updating and maintaining the content of the sites, and working with the Cold Fusion programmers to integrate design and code.
      • I was part of the team that implemented an award-winning redesign of Tabasco’s web site.
      • I updated and managed inventory of Tabasco’s online store at countrystore.tabasco.com, creating the images of the merchandise, and using the database system to add or remove items, change pricing and descriptions, set up sales and specials, etc.
      • I also was involved in planning, storyboarding, and illustrating several comic strips featuring the Team Turtle characters (a team of friendly turtles that instruct young children in ways to stay safe and healthy) that were run weekly in the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

      TURBOTRIP.COM – Affiliate Web Programmer 

      What Sort Of Work Was That?
      • Turbotrip.com, which eventually became a subsidiary of Hotels.com/Expedia, was an on-line hotel booking service with an extensive affiliate program. As the Affiliate Web Programmer, my main duties included building Hotel Search modules customized for each affiliate’s website, and supporting the affiliates in the implementation of these modules. This included creating any HTML or graphics that they required to fully integrate into our system, and occasionally more complex customization such as Javascript or PHP scripting and database management.
      • I was also responsible for creating demonstration sites for presentation to potential new affiliates, to show how our modules and system would look when incorporated into their web site.
      • On top of these main duties, I also did additional internal web design and tool-building. This includes creating PHP applications for internal company use and two redesigns of the turbotrip.com website.
      • I also created HTML emails and banner ads for advertising campaigns, and assisted in managing the promotional mailing lists.
      • I was also in charge of integrations with partner platforms such as Yellowpages and Smartpages. This involved database management and coding needed to add a “book now” button to their directory listings.

      GET TO KNOW ME: LEAVING NEW ORLEANS

      I left New England to be somewhere warm, but what made me move away from the Big Easy?

      ABSOLUTELY NOT
      No matter what, the one thing you can't say about New Orleans is that the food is disappointing. The real reason I moved was actually because one time at Mardi Gras, I met my futre wife who was from Tampa.

      Sorry, not this time!
      The bus system left a lot to be desired, but riding the streetcar along St. Charles was always nice. The real reason I moved was actually because one time at Mardi Gras, I met my futre wife who was from Tampa.

      Yes, it's true!
      One year at Mardi Gras I met my future wife, who was visiting mutual friends. She was from Tampa, and I moved to Florida not too long after meeting her.

       

      PUTTING DOWN ROOTS IN FLORIDA

       

      After settling in the Tampa area, I accepted a position with ISPE where I was a member of the website team for just shy of eleven years. This marked my introduction to the Association industry, which has been a focus of mine ever since. 

      INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHARMACEUTICAL ENGINEERING – Web Site Specialist

      Please, Elaborate!
      • Responsible for the day to day operation of the company web portal and other affiliated web sites. I acted as a liaison with internal departments, as well as international chapters, to ensure their portions of the site are maintained and updated.
      • Created site designs and graphics, and I used different programming languages (including Cold Fusion, PHP, and SQL) to add functionality and create new interactive and dynamic features.
      • Implemented responsive designs for mobile-friendly versions of our event daughter-sites.
      • Administered the content management system and built in-house tools for use by staff.
      • Set up and configured WordPress blog software, and integrated 3rd party discussion forums.
      • Used metrics and held user testing sessions to validate design choices.
      • Assisted the IT department in monitoring the operation of our web servers and server software and act as point of contact to software and network vendors as needed.
      • Assisted the marketing department in the creation of HTML email campaigns and formulating web-based marketing initiatives.
      • Regularly attended strategy meetings with ISPE volunteers and provided input based on my experience and knowledge.
      • Instrumental in converting ISPE’s print newsletter into an online member-centric blog.
      • Developed the system that allowed ISPE to offer downloadable products from the online store, removing the need for a third-party provider and reclaiming income that had been lost to revenue sharing.

      GET TO KNOW ME: BECOMING A FREELANCER

      There were many reasons that I took this plunge, but do you know what really tipped the scale?

      BOTH!
      One day my young daughter asked me sadly "Why do you have to go to work all the time?" I chuckled to myself at her naiveté - until I thought to myself, "Why DO I have to go to work all the time?"
      Later on, an interviewer pitched me on a possible new position by saying "The more you work, the more you'll make!"

      This was when I had an epiphany - in my mind I thought "Friend, I don't need YOU to do that."
      So that's when I came up with my plan. I got to work, got my finances in order, and got myself into a strong position to work for myself and mitigate some of the financial risk while things were starting up. And then, I'd never have to “go” to work again.

       

      STRIKING OUT ON MY OWN

       

      The stars aligned, and I could finally fulfill my dream of going into business for myself. 

      Since then I provided services for a number of clients, large and small, across many industries.

      Various Clients – Freelance Web Design and Development Projects

      What Were Some of Your Projects?

      In addition to myriad simple websites for local bands and small businesses, here is a sampling of some of the more in-depth projects that I worked on as a freelancer:

       

      • Micro-Macro, a small online community centered around writing short stories that are shared with others. I developed the web platform that managed user accounts, gave writers prompts for their stories, and allowed them to submit their content and share it.
      • Wish Candles, an online store that sold candles with custom artwork. I did the website design and development, shopping cart integration, and all SEO, advertising, and online marketing.
      • Go Jet Go, an online storefront for homemade greeting cards. I did the website development, and integrated a Paypal shopping cart to allow online purchases.
      • Fit Approach, an online community for fitness using the WordPress platform. I did design and WordPress customizations, integrating with the Google Maps API and the BuddyPress community plugin.

      Associations and Non-Profits – Freelance Projects and Contract Positions

      What Groups Have You Worked With?

      My years of experience in the non-profit/association space served me well as I provided services for several such clients on a freelance or ongoing contract basis.

       

      • Petroleum Packaging Council – Website design, development, and content management; Graphic design for print advertising; Online advertising; Social media marketing; Integration with third-party AMS vendor
      • National Technical Investigators Association – Website design, development, and content management; Platform integration with third-party AMS vendor; Custom WordPress SSO development; Other custom WordPress plugin and theme development
      • Orange County Regulatory Affairs – Website design, development, and content management; WooCommerce management; Webinar set-up; Email marketing
      • Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center – Website design, development, and content management; Custom WordPress theme development
      • The Inspire Foundation – Website content management, Logo design, Graphic design for print advertising
      • American Council on Consumer Interests – Website design and content management

      Outsuite Marketing – Director of Marketing Technology

      Can You Describe Your Role?

      Since 2018 I have worked with Outsuite Marketing on a long-term contract basis, providing a wide range of design, development, marketing, and consulting services for the company and its clients.

      OS.Social – A Social Media Marketing Service

      • Foghat – Website design and development for the classic rock band. Video channel management, social media marketing, targeted online advertising
      • George Thorogood & The Destroyers – Social media marketing, video channel management , and targeted online advertising for another classic rock band
      • Using DISC – Website design & content management, custom WordPress development, WooCommerce management, Video channel management, social media marketing
      • Court Grabbers – Website design and content management, WooCommerce management, video channel management, social media marketing
      • BlackHat Distillery – Website design & development, website content management, website third party vendor integration, social media marketing, video channel management
      • Wild Berry Incense – Social media marketing, video channel management
      • Fathom Business Systems – Website design and content management, social media marketing
      • Various South Florida GNC locations – Social media marketing

      THIS IS NOT THE END

       

      Now that we’re all caught up, contact me to find out how we can collaborate and keep this story going.