For the past couple of months I’ve been working on a web design and branding exercise for a client, Jim Stretton. I was introduced to Jim by another Jim (there’s a lot of Jim’s round Doncaster..) as “the man who can fix any computer”. Not a bad accolade, but I then had to live up to it. Jim only has 1 computer… a laptop, and it was throwing a big wobbly. He left it with me and after a couple of days he came back to collect his fixed laptop. He was happy-as-larry (or Jim).

A few months later he gave me a call - wanted to discuss his new business idea with the possiblity of me doing his website. So up he came (he lives in Birmingham!), and we discussed his ideas and requirements.

‘Orichalcum - World of Brass’ is effectively a foray into brass instrumentation. Jim’s been playing brass instruments since he was old enough to blow (or so it would seem). He has a natural talent… how many people do you know who can pick up one of 16 brass instruments (trumpets, cornets, trombones, euphoniums, etc) and within seconds have adapted and be playing a tune?! He’s also got quite a track-record, he’s played with the Black Dyke Band and is currently with the Desford Band and the world famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band (they were in ‘Brassed Off!’).

Jim wants to use his vast expertise to do various things including Formal Recitals, Children’s Concerts, Composing Workshops, Corporate Days, etc… and the website/branding is gonna be pretty key to his strategy.

I’m building the website, and handling the corporate branding stuff as well (although I’m not actually doing that myself, my good friend Jamie Briggs is a far better graphic artist than I’ll ever be).

So far so good - Jim’s coming up on Thursday to check on progress (which by the way is excellent). I should have most of the pages done for him, and then it’s just a question of making any requested changes, spellchecking and Testing, Testing, Testing!!

We’ll see what happens on Thursday - I’ll keep you updated and post a link when the site goes live just before July 1st!