Alison will be presenting Wireframing Essentials on Saturday
in the Design track
Alison has been working with WordPress since 2008. She started out building simple client websites and moved on to developing plugins and theme frameworks.
After working at various local agencies in Minneapolis, she is now a senior web engineer at 10up. Alison lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her husband and their three cats.
Tracy will be presenting how to not design like a developer on Saturday
in the Design track
Tracy, aka tapps, has been working with WordPress since before it was WordPress… and yes, apps is really her last name (because I know you were wondering).
Her formal training is in traditional art and print design, however she first started teaching her self web development in 1996 (back in the heyday of tiled background graphics and animated GIFs).
Tracy now owns Tracy Apps Design, a web creative company specializing in custom WordPress solutions for clients of all sizes.
When Tracy isn’t working on making the web a more beautiful place, you might find her playing drums/percussion with various musicians around Milwaukee, or lifting heavy things in CrossFit.
Why do you use WordPress?
Because WordPress is my bitch, of course.
But no, seriously… no other CMS i have worked with is as 1) pretty 2) functional and 3) easy to understand.
What would you say to convince someone to attend a WordCamp?
WordCamp is where cool people meet and talk about cool things. Don’t you want to be cool like all us?
What is your favorite WordPress project you have worked on recently?
Oh I have so many, but probably one of my more recent sites, http://crossfit100.com/ would be among my favorites, just because i got to really push a lot of bounds from your traditional WordPress template. I also did the photography, so it was fun to have a greater control on the creative of the site, since the site is very photo driven.
Do you have any advice for someone looking to start or grow a WordPress based business?
Don’t ever stop learning. Technologies change at a rapid rate, so being able to provide clients with the most efficient and cutting edge solution requires putting in the leg-work to be successful. Plus, it can really save a lot of extra work and headache in the future if you can provide the most clean and streamlined solution the FIRST time! (plus have happier clients)
What is your favorite WordPress-related resource?
the google
Tell us something awesome about yourself that is not WordPress related
I can deadlift 265lbs.
Travis will be presenting Designing for Interaction on Saturday in the Design track
Partner and co-owner at Westwerk/WerkPress, Travis has been driven to build and create wonderful projects on-top of WordPress since version 1.5.
In-between working on client work and traveling the country, Travis helps organize and build-up the local, Minneapolis WordPress community through advanced user meet-ups and engagements.
Travis enjoys spending his time solving web design challenges – through design, interaction, and user experience.
Travis’ passions outside of WordPress are reading non-fiction, making music, traveling, and living a vegetarian/healthy lifestyle.
Why do you use WordPress?
The ease of client-use. The community and amazing, passionate people that are a part of it.
What would you say to convince someone to attend a WordCamp?
There is a nearly endless amount of knowledge and connections that one can gain from simply attending a WordCamp. Engage and benefit.
What is your favorite WordPress project you have worked on recently?
The re-design and build of our own websites; Westwerk and WerkPress. It’s always fun (and excruciating) working on your own brand(s).
Do you have any advice for someone looking to start or grow a WordPress based business?
Make connections and be open to change, opportunity, and growth. Create a business plan and be smart about all of the decisions that you make. Be okay with saying “No”.
What is your favorite WordPress-related resource?
Following the best-of-the-best on Twitter. WP Tavern, and of course attending WordCamps 🙂
Tell us something awesome about yourself that is not WordPress related
I love to spend time digging into nerdy historical or science-based non-fiction books.
Sara will be presenting Do Big Things With A Small Team in the Business/Project Management track with Aaron Campbell, Brian Krogsgard and Pete Mall as well as Smart Design: Icon Fonts, SVG, and the Mobile Influence in the Design track, both on Saturday.
Sara Cannon has a passion for art, design, and typography. She is Partner and Creative Director for Range – A design and development agency specializing in WordPress.
Sara is a WordPress contributor, loves open source, her pets, and traveling the world. You can find her writing on her blog sara-cannon.com.
“Life is short, art is long, typography is everything, code is poetry.”
Why do you use WordPress?
its the best. its freedom.
What would you say to convince someone to attend a WordCamp?
you’ll learn a ton and meet awesome people!
What is your favorite WordPress project you have worked on recently?
Flickr.com Blog. It was so much fun designing and launching it!
Do you have any advice for someone looking to start or grow a WordPress based business?
Put time into working in the community and WordPress core.
What is your favorite WordPress-related resource?
PostStatus!
Tell us something awesome about yourself that is not WordPress related
I’m an artist. you can see some of my work at http://saracannonart.com
Also: I type Dvorak.
Hilary will be presenting No Regrets Web Design on Saturday in the Design track
Hilary Fosdal is the founder of Bring Your Own Stuff. She also serves as the Digital Strategist at the Better Government Association (BGA).
Prior to joining the BGA, Hilary was the digital managing editor for the Chicago-based Cumulus Radio stations WLS AM and 94.7 FM. She earned her M.A. in journalism and mass communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
You can get to know her better online at http://hilaryfosdal.com.
Why do you use WordPress?
I use WordPress because it is as powerful a content management system as it is simple to use. I appreciate the a la carte system of use what you want and strip away what you don’t need. You can have ten plug-ins or none at all.
What would you say to convince someone to attend a WordCamp?
Network. Learn. Seek new opportunities. If you’re looking to do any of those things professionally and are in any way connected to the web design and development field you would be doing yourself a disservice not to attend.
What is your favorite WordPress project you have worked on recently?
I recently launched a blog for Bring Your Own Stuff at blog.byostuff.com using WordPress. The purpose of the blog is to help business owners hire the right web designer or agency for their website project.
Do you have any advice for someone looking to start or grow a WordPress based business?
Do it. Plenty of people set up shop everyday. But there is no shortage of outstanding WordPress designers and developers. Be what the market needs.
What is your favorite WordPress-related resource?
I find most of my WordPress questions are answered by using search engines.
Tell us something awesome about yourself that is not WordPress related
I’ve hitchhiked, backpacked and traveled across six continents and over 50 countries. If I had to recommend one place that everyone must see it would be a close tie between Ecuador and Tibet.
Aaron will be presenting Color Theory for Web Developers on Saturday in the Design track
Aaron is a Polyhistoric man of the web. Currently Technical Architect on the Conde Nast Platform Team and a WordPress contributor, he works to improve developer happiness and is dedicated to making internet usable and enjoyable by everyone.
Why do you use WordPress?
The GPL and the community.
What would you say to convince someone to attend a WordCamp?
WordCamps are some of the best value web conferences you can attend. Where as many other conferences cost a few hundred dollar, a WordCamp costs under $100 and features speakers just as interesting and informational.
What is your favorite WordPress project you have worked on recently?
https://github.com/aaronjorbin/grunt-patch-wordpress
Do you have any advice for someone looking to start or grow a WordPress based business?
Align yourself with the WordPress Philosophies. Make decisions, not options. Embrace the GPL.
What is your favorite WordPress-related resource?
The source code of WordPress.
Tell us something awesome about yourself that is not WordPress related
I spend my free time volunteering with American Model United Nations as a simulation director planning and running a multi-day simulation of the United Nations Security Council for college students.
WordCamp Chicago 2014 is over. Check out the next edition!
