Tessa Elwood - Web Developer
A graphic & web designer fascinated by story.
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Overview
*** NOTE: CURRENTLY CLOSED. I'm not taking on new clients at the moment, but thank you for thinking of me! ***
In a society that googles everything, a website is a must—and a good website lends credibility and professionalism. More, it makes it easy for a potential client or reader to find the information they need to choose this book or that service. My designs are all about my clients, translating their likes and goals into a visual interface. Classy, professional, dark, whimsical, image-intense or highly minimal—everything from look to function is tailored to your tastes.
The process is easy. We'll discuss what you’d like in a site—style, mood, and function—and I’ll mockup some designs. These will grow and change as you provide input. All sites are coded for WordPress, giving you complete control of content. Once the site is finished and live, I will walk you through how to update your content yourself. Or if you prefer, I can maintain your content for you.
Services include:
• Branding
• Custom design
• Template for WordPress
• Full initial content setup
• Full content control, including design-specific elements update via custom fields
• Custom mobile theme
• SEO
• Social media inclusion & contact forms
• The standard bookstore icon set for authors
• Maintenance if needed.
And fun stuff like:
• Image rollover effects
• Slideshows
• Full page images/scenes
• Custom photoshoots for design elements
• Themed social media & newsletter templates/headers to match your site
• Custom social media and bookstore icons
In a society that googles everything, a website is a must—and a good website lends credibility and professionalism. More, it makes it easy for a potential client or reader to find the information they need to choose this book or that service. My designs are all about my clients, translating their likes and goals into a visual interface. Classy, professional, dark, whimsical, image-intense or highly minimal—everything from look to function is tailored to your tastes.
The process is easy. We'll discuss what you’d like in a site—style, mood, and function—and I’ll mockup some designs. These will grow and change as you provide input. All sites are coded for WordPress, giving you complete control of content. Once the site is finished and live, I will walk you through how to update your content yourself. Or if you prefer, I can maintain your content for you.
Services include:
• Branding
• Custom design
• Template for WordPress
• Full initial content setup
• Full content control, including design-specific elements update via custom fields
• Custom mobile theme
• SEO
• Social media inclusion & contact forms
• The standard bookstore icon set for authors
• Maintenance if needed.
And fun stuff like:
• Image rollover effects
• Slideshows
• Full page images/scenes
• Custom photoshoots for design elements
• Themed social media & newsletter templates/headers to match your site
• Custom social media and bookstore icons
Services
Non-Fiction
Art
Fiction
Middle Grade
Mystery & Crime
Picture Books
Romance
Science Fiction
Young Adult
Works with
Shopify
Squarespace
Wix
WordPress
Work experience
Website & Print Designer
Self-employed
January, 2010
–
Present
(almost 13 years)
Designed and coded websites and Wordpress templates to spec, for both individuals and organizations. Took preexisting or packaged content and reformated it for new designs and their archive base. Developed CMS tutorials and troubleshot errors. Designed business cards, bookmarks, brochures, flyers, booklets, book covers, CD covers, and t-shirts.
Graphic Designer
The Little Fig
January, 2017
–
Present
(almost 6 years)
Laid out books for print, designed catalogues, logo and branding. Built and maintain the website. General troubleshooter for anything image or coding related.
Web Designer & Social Media Specialist
Jennings Social Media Marketing
January, 2009
–
March, 2010
(about 1 year)
Designed and coded websites, blogs, landing pages, and CMS templates to spec. Troubleshot issues across all Jennings sites (10+), upgraded SEO practices, addressed client issues/worries and kept a detailed log of all work.
Projects
Book focused sites
Sites built around particular series or titles, including Kingdom of Souls and Nearly Gone.
Bookmark Designs
NYT Bestsellers
Site designs for bestselling authors, often with large back catalogues. Includes Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff, Meagan Spooner, Stefan Bachmann, MarcyKate Connolly, and Kathryn Purdie.
Young Adult Projects
Site and print designs for YA authors, including two books-focused sites: Kingdom of Souls and Nearly Gone.
Adult Projects
Site designs for adult authors in a mix of genres, including romance, poetry, upmarket fiction, and western.
Picture Book Projects
Site and print designs for PB authors, including Jenn Bailey, Jody Jensen Shaffer, Sue Gallion, Maryann Mcdonald, and Ann Ingalls.
Middle Grade Projects
Site & print designs for MG authors, including Janet Sumner Johnson, Tina Athaide, Julia Gibson, and Mary Ann Macdonald.
Beyond Author Sites
Projects for artists and businesses. Kourtney and Natosha needed something to showcase their work, while Condie needed to provide a lot of information in a clear/easy to access way.
Tessa has 18 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Tessa allowed me to hire her to update and provide feedback on certain pages of my existing website as I prepared for a book launch. She gave great advice, guidance and make my pages more professional and clean. I really appreciated Tessa's enthusiasm and spirit in the work. It was a great relief.
Janet Howard, November 2022
Tessa is the best partner for someone like me, a new entrant to writing and publishing. She guided me through the aspects of web design and hosting. She is generous with her time and very professional in her work. I am lucky to have my website developed by her.
S S, May 2020
Working with Tessa has been fantastic! She is responsive, clear, and patient.
Sherry Danner, March 2020
She did a phenomenal job on my author website, and beyond that I really I loved working with her. I couldn't be happier with the result. She knew how to bring to life all of the many scatter-brained ideas I had for it, and do it in an impressive, cohesive manner. She never tired of new thoughts or requests I might have. I feel very fortunate to have found her, and would highly recommend her...
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Dan Coonan, March 2020
Working with Tessa has been and is amazing!! She has built me multiple tutorials and has left her communications lines completely open for future assistance and feedback. Her high quality customer service has been beyond amazing and will be referring many people to her!!
Christopher Lloyd, February 2020
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