from Essence
to Presence
Process

a unique blend of supported sensing
& website development
to step over the next threshold of visibility

from

Essence

Through conversations we build a shared awareness around the deeper, metaphoric and dream-like aspects of the work, as it’s about to emerge in the next cycle. We will practice listening, sensing, and when the right moment comes, naming patterns and metaphors that can represent the essence of the work.

to

Presence

In this level of the process we translate patterns and metaphors from Essence to a personality, including design elements (fonts, colors, symbols…), website structure (sitemap), functionality and content (words, images & media).

The sensing / listening process and the website development will support each other as two strands of one DNA.

Stages

1. Listening

Together we build a shared understanding of the essence of the work: Imagine the seed of a cherry tree dreaming of itself, in full healthy blossom, on a spring day ten years forward. Or maybe it is an apple tree, or an oak? What kind of birds will nest on it? Who will sit in its shade and what will they sing?

2. Naming

We search for images, metaphors and symbols that can represent the Essence of the work. What does this tree look like? What color are the flowers? How many branches are there, and what are the proportions of leaves to flowers? What shades of green and brown? What kind of curves?

3. Prototyping

We create a basic design and structure to present the work as a one-page website. Throughout this process we will keep evolving the writings, explanations, images, fonts etc. “I offer shade for those who need rest in summer… I offer walnuts, big and beautiful, which are good for your health… See how beautiful they look!”

4. Finishing

Once we are happy with the overall feeling, we add all the pages. When the content is complete, we do a final refining. We will also learn how to work on the website, for constant updating, changing words, images, adding new quotations etc. A tree keeps evolving and changing, season by season, doesn’t it?

what does it mean practically?

We will engage in weekly Skype sessions, over a period of 3-4 months (around 10 sessions). The first 3-4 calls are focused on sensing the Essence of the work and naming design elements. Then we will work on a one page prototype, changing and reviewing based on the overall feeling of it. With the design in place, we will create the website structure, extra sections and features.

In between Skype sessions you are asked to do some home work around content, and I will focus more on the technical side of the web development.

Towards the end of the process, we will start to work on the website together with the client. The aim is for the client to get familiar with editorial functions and build a relationship with the website as a living agent of communication. A Chinese proverb says: Tell me and I’ll remember for an hour; show me and I’ll remember for a day; let me do it and I’ll remember forever.

how about costs, technologies etc?

How much will it cost?

35€ per hour for personal and 45€ per hour for businesses, all the types of services included. Depending on the readiness of the content, a simple website can be delivered with 30 hours of work. For deeper explorations, customizations and special features like multi-lingual website, shopping cart, complex registration forms etc, it might need 50+ hours of work from my side. A general estimate for a personal website can be between 1200-1800 €. I can offer a more precise estimate when the scope of the work is clearer. If there are financial restrictions we might be able to work it out, by making the payment in multiple installments, or finding creative ways to spend less time on customizations. For those who have their source of income in Turkish Liras we can talk and decide on a different rate.

Aside from this, you will need to cover the cost of:

website hosting, around 80€/year for a single website
professional page builder software, 60€/year for a single website
domain name (for special domains such as .tr .uk etc)
cost of professional softwares for additional features, such as multi-lingual, shopping cart, online booking etc… this will be estimated when I know the scope of the work.

For projects with a budget over 1200 Euros, there will be one year free Quality hosting and one year Basic support package from the date of launching the website. For projects with a budget over 2000 Euros, there will be one year free Quality hosting and one year Advanced support package.

Where is the time spent?

basic setup of the software, including the required plugins, which includes template framework, security, seo and statistics software
live conversations over Skype (listening / mentoring sessions)
finding design resources such as fonts, icons, images, designing layouts
training on updating the website

There is a proportion for live listening sessions, maximum 20% of the whole project. For a 40-hour project there will be around 8 hours of live connection / mentoring sessions. If the need exceeds this, additional sessions can be offered at the rate of 60€ per hour.

Does it include identity design?

Well… yes and no. Our explorations of your work can lead us to find clear symbols, colors, design elements, fonts and other material that can shape a clear identity. If needed, I can also support with the design of logo, letter head, business card etc based on the same rate mentioned above. But this is generally not included in the main process.

How about search engine optimization and online marketing?

This process does not include a focused search engine optimization service. The software and the code I am using is search engine-friendly. Through the process of making the website I can offer some basic suggestions on the dynamics of search engine optimization, to see whether you need it or not, and how you can proceed with it by yourself.

It is the same story for online marketing. I can offer you some basic guidelines to do it by yourself. Putting links to social media, or newsletter subscription forms are included in this process.

What if I need support after the website is finished and launched?

I highly encourage you to learn to work on your website by yourself. Training will be offered during the process, showing you how to modify, add or remove different sections of the website. For some structural changes you will need technical support. If it rests within the scope of the initial work, like fixing problems, there will be no additional costs involved.

In case you would like me to add new content, re-design some sections, add new features, it will be offered at a rate of 35€/hour (45€ for businesses). Of course we will negotiate this beforehand.

You can benefit from one of the support packages, which is designed for ongoing care and enhancements. Based on the project budget, a package is offered for free for one year after the website launch.

What technologies do you use?

Please visit the services section for details on technologies.

As a guarantee, a support package is offered for free, for one year after the website launch.

Sample Personal Websites

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Sarah Whiteley Personal Website

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