Horizon Marine, Inc.

Horizon Marine is a pioneer in oceanography by providing oil-industry and shipping clients with real time ocean current monitoring. The science here is way over my head, but I can certainly say that the company plays a major role in helping their clients become more efficient. For instance, an oil rig off the coast of Louisiana can maximize it operational time by predicting large current changes in the Gulf of Mexico with the information supplied by Horizon.

Horizon’s web presence is paramount to their success as a business. Not only do they recruit new clients through their site, but customers access the valuable ocean information via the site as well. The company approached me with a proposal to update the style and functionality of their important internet presence.

While developing the new www.horizonmarine.com, two main parameters were central to the design process: a) informational and stylistic clarity, and b) speed and cross browser rendering.

I overhauled the site with updated technologies, and a more contemporary feel. Like any well-designed site, www.horizonmarine.com employs holistic CSS construction. The client-side of the site is built with ExpressionEngine for extreme (yes, I think it’s the right word) control over a vast sea of oceanic data. Security is also a priority for Horizon, and the new system thoroughly protects their valuable information.

The project included:

• ExpressionEngine backbone
• Valid CSS and XHTML structuring; PHP scripting
• Customized jQuery navigation functions
• Intuitive coding and syntax for improved SEO
• Clear and contemporary design and layouts
• Independent search engine