Web Experiences that Delight
Web Development by Chazona Baum
You Should Get to Know Me...
My name is Chazona Baum, and I am a self-taught front-end developer with diverse experiences in industries ranging from food service to veterinary medicine to insurance.
My two young children help shape my perspective, and drive me to create experiences that are accessible, friendly, and with a hint of magic.
My love of code sprang from my love of language. Where some see confusing symbols, I see an elegant form of communication and expression, and a way for people to extend their capabilities and accomplish the previously impossible.
My belief in the positive potential of code and technology drove me to found Midlothian Code, a local nonprofit geared to expanding access to code-based skills and employment and removing barriers to the industry.
...And What I Do
Using a variety of modern tools, I design and execute cohesive websites that flow and stimulate the senses.
While I enjoy building custom sites completely from scratch, I understand that different problems require their own solutions. I get organizations a presence on the web, and am comfortable with tailoring existing content management systems and templates to meet their needs as I did recently for the nonprofit Midlothian Code.
Using the design language of the web, I create vector graphics that scale reliably without showing pixels. Concepts, characters, and brands can all be represented beautifully online using current web techniques.
As an avid sketcher, I delight in coming up with concept art, characters, and branding concepts, and am eager to apply my creativity to projects I take on.
With an understanding of both stylistic animation and dynamic scripting, I am able to breathe life into content made for the web.
The right animations for the right purposes, as well as a measure of restraint, allow users to feel like a site responds to them and can give them a sense of wonder.
Utilizing the latest in reactive frameworks, I create interfaces that update automatically before your user's eyes, even games.
View My Work
Pokémon Battle Game
An interactive, turn-by-turn battle game inspired by old Pokémon GameBoy games. The user can choose a character and a Pokémon, and each turn they can use one of up to four of the Pokémon's attacks, heal with a potion, or pass.
View ProjectMojo Jojo CSS Vector Graphic
Mojo Jojo character from The PowerPuff Girls recreated as a pure CSS vector graphic.
View ProjectRuler CSS Vector Graphic
A ruler created as a pure CSS vector graphic. Selected as one of Codepen's Picked Pens.
View ProjectAnimated Wall Clock CSS Vector Graphic
A wall clock created and animated as a pure CSS vector graphic.
View ProjectJavaScript Calculator
A calculator created visually in CSS, that uses JavaScript to perform calculations. The calculator will chain calculations until the user is ready to apply them by pressing the equals button.
Note: The percent button and negative toggle will evaluate the current chain before applying their changes. The equals button is not needed for those functions.
View ProjectMidlothian Code Website
A website built using self-hosted WordPress for the organization Midlothian Code. Features a blog, events with reservations, job listings, and an online store. I continue to serve as developer and webmaster.
View ProjectPig Latin Translator
A translator that converts English typed in the left field into Pig Latin in the right field, live while the user is typing. Selected as one of Codepen's Picked Pens.
View Project"Mom Bot" Twitter Bot
A Twitter Bot, @the_mother_bot, created in Node.js. The bot follows and unfollows independently, scans @replies to give encouragement or praise when prompted by key words, and scans followers' tweets for "bad words" to warn of word choice and offer that the follower can delete a potentially embarrassing tweet.
View ProjectTwitch TV JSON API
A web tool which allows the user to check if various Twitch live-streamers are broadcasting and to view their content.
View ProjectWikipedia Viewer
A web tool that allows the user to search for and view relevant Wikipedia entries or view a random Wikipedia entry.
View ProjectLocal Weather App
A web app that displays the weather at the user's location, and adjusts the graphical display accordingly.
View ProjectGet in Touch
If you need to create or update a web presence for yourself, your business, or your nonprofit, talk to me and we can grab a cup of coffee while we discuss your needs.
I am also available for full-time or contract work with the right company. Contact me if your users are your passion and you think we might work well together.