client: Akasha, Inc.

scope: web design, identity, hosting

url: www.thomaschapin.com

Terri Castillo-Chapin, widow of the late saxophonist Thomas Chapin, approached tds in 2001 with the idea of creating an archival website to honor the memory of Thomas, who passed in 1999. Many years later, after false starts, sabbaticals, and much combing of the available materials, thomaschapin.com has finally found its home.

The daunting task of organizing a enormous amount of text relating to Chapin's performances, recordings and legacy fell on us. We decided to present the material as cleanly and consisely as possible, allowing the text to take the driver's seat and keeping the design elements as unobtrusive as possible.

We built a simple php/MySQL content management system to fascillitate the data entry and editing process, a snippet jukebox to present the audio, and implemented SlideshowPro galleries for photographs and Chapin's original collage pieces.

We feel the result is pleasing to the eye and presents the material in a manner that is intuitive for users.

In addition, the not-for-profit Akasha, Inc. commissioned us to design a simple identity for their company, whose sole mandate is to continue the legacy that Thomas worked his entire life to build.