Portfolio

Lynn Racial Justice Coalition

The website for LRJC was built from scratch using WordPress and WordPress plugins like Elementor Pro. In addition to designing the logo and creating an accessible color scheme, I assisted in fact-checking content and editing copy. I also provided direction in obtaining the domain name, and I created templates and tutorials so others in the organization can add and edit content as the work of LRJC continues and the needs of the website change.

I designed the layout of the site to convey a lot of information in ways that don’t feel overwhelming for site visitors. The map feature in the “Unarmed Response Teams Around the Country” section was created using the Image Hotspot plugin to create an interactive experience for users, and the graphs were created with the TablePress plugin and lots of custom code to adjust sizing, scrolling, and design.  

| WordPress | Elementor | HTML | CSS | Canva |

LynnRacialJusticeCoalition.com

Scroll through this screenshot of LRJC’s homepage or click the button below to visit the site.

screenshot of the homepage for LynnRacialJusticeCoalition.com
About This Project

The website for LRJC was built from scratch using WordPress and WordPress plugins like Elementor Pro. In addition to designing the logo and creating an accessible color scheme, I assisted in fact-checking content and editing copy. I also provided direction in obtaining the domain name, and I created templates and tutorials so others in the organization can add and edit content as the work of LRJC continues and the needs of the website change.

I designed the layout of the site to convey a lot of information in ways that don’t feel overwhelming for site visitors. The map feature in the “Unarmed Response Teams Around the Country” section was created using the Image Hotspot plugin to create an interactive experience for users, and the graphs were created with the TablePress plugin and lots of custom code to adjust sizing, scrolling, and design.

Andrew King's Campaign

I worked with campaign staff to design and launch Andrew King’s campaign website when he ran for School Committee in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2023. I used WordPress and WordPress plugins like Elementor Pro. I utilized WP Forms and Google reCAPTCHA to collect information and ensure that form entries weren’t created by bots.

I worked with a team of four people to get this site built and launched in just a few short weeks. I also created the color palette for the campaign and  designed the logo in Canva. The campaign had a lot of moving parts, and I was able to respond quickly to make changes to the site as Drew’s campaign evolved. 

| WordPress | Elementor | HTML | CSS | Canva |WP Forms | Google reCAPTCHA |

ElectAndrewKing.com

Scroll and click through these screenshots or click the button below to visit Andrew King’s site.

About This Project

I worked with campaign staff to design and launch Andrew King’s campaign website when he ran for School Committee in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2023. I used WordPress and WordPress plugins like Elementor Pro. I utilized WP Forms and Google reCAPTCHA to collect information and ensure that form entries weren’t created by bots.

I worked with a team of four people to get this site built and launched in just a few short weeks. I also created the color palette for the campaign and  designed the logo in Canva. The campaign had a lot of moving parts, and I was able to respond quickly to make changes to the site as Drew’s campaign evolved. 

Marchaé Grair's Portfolio

I worked with Marchaé Grair, who also happens to be my spouse, to create a professional website to showcase their work as a writer, public speaker, facilitator, and spiritual director. I used WordPress and WordPress plugins like Elementor Pro. I utilized WP Forms and Google reCAPTCHA to collect information and ensure that form entries weren’t created by bots. I designed the website to be easily updated, especially when adding content to the My Writing page. Writing pieces are stored as WordPress blog posts, and by utilizing Categories, new entries will automatically populate in the correct subheading. 

In addition to the website design and build, I also created the color palette with input and feedback from Marchaé. I also obtained a domain name with the correct accent on the é in Marchaé’s name along with other variations of that domain name, and I did the necessary forwarding for many different domains, including Marchae.com, Marchae.net, and Marchaé.org to redirect to Marchaé.com.

| WordPress | Elementor | HTML | CSS |WP Forms | Google reCAPTCHA |

Marchaé.com

Scroll and click through these screenshots or click the button below to visit Marchaé Grair’s site.

About This Project

I worked with Marchaé Grair, who also happens to be my spouse, to create a professional website to showcase their work as a writer, public speaker, facilitator, and spiritual director. I used WordPress and WordPress plugins like Elementor Pro. I utilized WP Forms and Google reCAPTCHA to collect information and ensure that form entries weren’t created by bots. I designed the website to be easily updated, especially when adding content to the My Writing page. Writing pieces are stored as WordPress blog posts, and by utilizing Categories, new entries will automatically populate in the correct subheading. 

In addition to the website design and build, I also created the color palette with input and feedback from Marchaé. I also obtained a domain name with the correct accent on the é in Marchaé’s name along with other variations of that domain name, and I did the necessary forwarding for many different domains, including Marchae.com, Marchae.net, and Marchaé.org to redirect to Marchaé.com.

Zero Fare Coalition

The Zero Fare Coalition is a group of individuals and organizations working to make the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) permanently fare-free. For this project, I designed the logo in Canva, created the color scheme, and built the website from scratch using WordPress and and the Elementor Pro plugin. The design, especially the containers bordered by three colors with rounded edges, was an idea I’d been wanting to try out for some time. I was inspired by the aesthetics in the film White Noise, and I’m very pleased with the retro feel and how it turned out. 

I worked with two people from a consulting firm hired by the coalition to move this campaign forward, and the logo design, color palette, and website build took about two months. 

| WordPress | Elementor | HTML | CSS | Canva |

ZeroFareWRTA.org

Scroll and click through these screenshots or click the button below to visit the Zero Fare WRTA site.

About This Project

The Zero Fare Coalition is a group of individuals and organizations working to make the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) permanently fare-free. For this project, I designed the logo in Canva, created the color scheme, and built the website from scratch using WordPress and and the Elementor Pro plugin. The design, especially the containers bordered by three colors with rounded edges, was an idea I’d been wanting to try out for some time. I was inspired by the aesthetics in the film White Noise, and I’m very pleased with the retro feel and how it turned out. 

I worked with two people from a consulting firm hired by the coalition to move this campaign forward, and the logo design, color palette, and website build took about two months. 

Massachusetts for Overdose Prevention Centers

This statewide coalition is working to get legislation passed to establish overdose prevention centers in Massachusetts. I built the website for Massachusetts for Overdose Prevention Centers from scratch using WordPress and WordPress plugins like Elementor Pro. I designed the site to be easy to update by staff working for this coalition. The News and Resources pages are populated by WordPress Posts sorted by Categories. Using the built-in framework of Categories and Tags allows others with little knowledge of WordPress to add additional articles and resources with just a few clicks. 

I worked with a small team of three people to get this site built and launched in only five weeks. In addition to the website work, I did a refresh of the logo and updated the color scheme to meet web accessibility standards. 

| WordPress | Elementor | HTML | CSS | Canva |The Action Network |

ma4opc.org

Scroll and click through these screenshots or click the button below to visit the MA 4 OPC site.

About This Project

This statewide coalition is working to get legislation passed to establish overdose prevention centers in Massachusetts. I built the website for Massachusetts for Overdose Prevention Centers from scratch using WordPress and WordPress plugins like Elementor Pro. I designed the site to be easy to update by staff working for this coalition. The News and Resources pages are populated by WordPress Posts sorted by Categories. Using the built-in framework of Categories and Tags allows others with little knowledge of WordPress to add additional articles and resources with just a few clicks. 

I worked with a small team of three people to get this site built and launched in only five weeks. In addition to the website work, I did a refresh of the logo and updated the color scheme to meet web accessibility standards. 

Yes On 4 for Safer Roads

I revamped the website for the Yes on 4 for Safer Roads ballot initiative in Massachusetts, which was ensuring continued access to drivers licenses to all residents, regardless of immigration status. The ballot measure passed in the November 2022 election. The site was live when I started this job, but there were major issues with design consistency, accessibility, and styling. I was given creative control by the team working on the site due to the quick turnaround required for the project. I completed the project in one week.

I also added a new feature on the About page with the tabs and the FAQs section, and I designed the Vote page to resemble a “Choose Your Own Adventure” based on general direction from the team I worked with.

| WordPress | Elementor | HTML | CSS | The Action Network |

SaferRoadsMA.com

Scroll and click through these screenshots or click the button below to visit the Yes On 4 site.

About This Project

I revamped the website for the Yes on 4 for Safer Roads ballot initiative in Massachusetts, which was ensuring continued access to drivers licenses to all residents, regardless of immigration status. The ballot measure passed in the November 2022 election. The site was live when I started this job, but there were major issues with design consistency, accessibility, and styling. I was given creative control by the team working on the site due to the quick turnaround required for the project. I completed the project in one week.

I also added a new feature on the About page with the tabs and the FAQs section, and I designed the Vote page to resemble a “Choose Your Own Adventure” based on general direction from the team I worked with.

Better Budget Alliance

After Boston residents passed a ballot initiative to implement participatory budgeting in 2021, I redesigned the campaign site in tandem with BBA to be a hub for Boston citizens to get information and take action as the next steps unfold in implementing PB in our city.

I worked with a team to design an accessible color scheme and the layout and design of the site. I created a timeline feature on the How We Got Here page and an interactive flow chart on the About Participatory Budgeting page. I was also able to integrate forms from The Action Network, Google Forms, and WP Forms.

 

| WordPress | Elementor | HTML | CSS | The Action Network |

BetterBudgetAlliance.org

Scroll and click through these screenshots or click the button below to visit the Better Budget Alliance site.

About This Project

After Boston residents passed a ballot initiative to implement participatory budgeting in 2021, I redesigned the campaign site in tandem with BBA to be a hub for Boston citizens to get information and take action as the next steps unfold in implementing PB in our city.

I worked with a team to design an accessible color scheme and the layout and design of the site. I created a timeline feature on the How We Got Here page and an interactive flow chart on the About Participatory Budgeting page. I was also able to integrate forms from The Action Network, Google Forms, and WP Forms.

Nika Elugardo's Campaign

I worked with campaign staff to update aspects of Nika Elugardo’s election website when she ran for Mass. State Senate in 2022. The same WordPress site had been used over many years for different election bids, and the site was suffering from slow load times and inconsistent styling across elements and pages.

I streamlined and updated page layouts for more consistency, improved load times by removing unused resources and pages, and implemented an SSL certificate. I also created content templates so the campaign team could add additional information and videos as they created more resources around Nika Elugardo’s campaign platform.

| WordPress | HTML | CSS |

ElectNika.com

Scroll through this screenshot of the homepage or click the button below to visit Nika Elugardo’s site.

screenshot of the homepage for https://electnika.com/
About This Project

I worked with campaign staff to update aspects of Nika Elugardo’s election website in when she ran for Mass. State Senate in 2022. The same WordPress site had been used over many years for different election bids, and the site was suffering from slow load times and inconsistent styling across elements and pages.

I streamlined and updated page layouts for more consistency, improved load times by removing unused resources and pages, and implemented an SSL certificate. I also created content templates so the campaign team could add additional information and videos as they created more resources around Nika Elugardo’s campaign platform.

Tanisha Sullivan's Campaign

I took over this website redesign for the Tanisha Sullivan campaign for Mass. Secretary of State when the freelancer working on it could no longer continue. The site had already been designed and some of the pages had been started. I completed the bulk of the remaining work which included adding new pages, fine-tuning styling and responsiveness, and implementing features with custom code like the navigation buttons and press toolkit on the Join Us page.

I migrated the domain from the previously-used site on Wix to this WordPress site, and I also set up Google Workspace for Tanisha Sullivan’s staff.

| WordPress | Elementor | HTML | CSS | Google Workspace | The Action Network |

TanishaSullivan.com

Scroll and click through these screenshots. Campaign site no longer active.

About This Project

I took over this website redesign for the Tanisha Sullivan campaign for Mass. Secretary of State when the freelancer working on it could no longer continue. The site had already been designed and some of the pages had been started. I completed the bulk of the remaining work which included adding new pages, fine-tuning styling and responsiveness, and implementing features with custom code like the navigation buttons and press toolkit on the Join Us page.

I migrated the domain from the previously-used site on Wix to this WordPress site, and I also set up Google Workspace for Tanisha Sullivan’s staff.

CodeSquad Bootcamp

I worked with the organization’s executive director and the lead teaching fellow to design and build this page on CodeSquad’s website. I wrote the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript from scratch and deployed the page via GitHub. The page is fully responsive and adheres to source code, documentation, and version control standards set by the organization.

| HTML | CSS | JavaScript | GitHub |

CodeSquad.org

Scroll through this screenshot of the homepage or click the button below to visit CodeSquad’s site.

screenshot of CodeSquad's For Students page found at https://codesquad.org/students.html
About This Project

I worked with the organization’s executive director and the lead teaching fellow to design and build this page on CodeSquad’s website. I wrote the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript from scratch and deployed the page via GitHub. The page is fully responsive and adheres to source code, documentation, and version control standards set by the organization.

CodeSquad HTML Workshop

While working as a teaching fellow at CodeSquad, I made a quick website to house the directions for the HTML workshop we ran as part of the recruitment process. Prior to this site, prospective students navigated directions via link sharing in Zoom chat and verbal explanations. This caused much confusion and unnecessary delays, but the issue was remedied through these clear instructions all located in one place. The site was deployed using GitHub pages. 

| HTML | CSS | JavaScript | GitHub |

HTML Workshop Directions Site

Scroll through this screenshot of the homepage or click the button below to visit the workshop website.

screenshot of the homepage for https://melissasawyer013.github.io/0.0-html-workshop-website/
About This Project

While working as a teaching fellow at CodeSquad, I made a quick website to house the directions for the HTML workshop we ran as part of the recruitment process. Prior to this site, prospective students navigated directions via link sharing in Zoom chat and verbal explanations. This caused much confusion and unnecessary delays, but the issue was remedied through these clear instructions all located in one place. The site was deployed using GitHub pages. 

Marven Hyppolite Campaign

I worked with Marven Hyppolite and his campaign staff to make some emergency edits to the campaign website when he was running for Councilor At Large in the city of Lynn, MA. I learned how to use Wix and completed the entire site with a two-day turnaround. Scroll through the screenshot of the homepage or click the button below to visit New Marven Hyppolite’s site.

| Wix | HTML | CSS |

MarvenForLynn.com

Scroll through this screenshot of the homepage or click the button below to visit Marven Hyppolite’s website.

screenshot of the homepage for MarvenForLynn.com
About This Project

I worked with Marven Hyppolite and his campaign staff to make some emergency edits to the campaign website when he was running for Councilor At Large in the city of Lynn, MA. I learned how to use Wix and completed the entire site with a two-day turnaround. Scroll through the screenshot of the homepage or click the button below to visit New Marven Hyppolite’s site.

New Lynn Coalition

New Lynn Coalition started a website rebuild on a website builder called Site123 and brought me in to finish the website as well as provide guidance on site architecture and design. I took over the project near the beginning, learned how to use Site123, and completed the site in approximately six weeks. I also completed the domain transfer with no down time. Scroll through the screenshot of the homepage or click the button below to visit New Lynn’s site.

| Site123 | HTML | CSS |

NewLynn.org

Scroll through this screenshot of the homepage or click the button below to visit the New Lynn Coalition site.

screenshot of the homepage for NewLynnCoalition.org
About This Project

New Lynn Coalition started a website rebuild on a website builder called Site123 and brought me in to finish the website as well as provide guidance on site architecture and design. I took over the project near the beginning, learned how to use Site123, and completed the site in approximately six weeks. I also completed the domain transfer with no down time. Scroll through the screenshot of the homepage or click the button below to visit New Lynn’s site.