What. The. Frack.

OK, so we'll be the first to admit that the core of what we do here at Syntax:8080 is esoteric at best, and totally Deep Geek at worst. So let's break this down. (You should also check out our blog, for some insight into how we do things.)

Your Basic Design Shop

We do web design, print design, identity, branding, illustration, books...you know, the stuff ALL the designers do.

Standards Compliant, Table-Appropriate Web Development

So, we also develop for the web. We're heavy into what we call SEX-C Development: Semantic Extensible XHTML and CSS. SEX-C in depth

Liaison

Here is where Syntax:8080 makes its real mark. We have spent a long time understanding the extremely different languages of visual design and web development.

Designers often don't grok the web, and developers are often completely unconcerned with the desire to make things beautiful. And, often, they can't even talk to each other, Wacoms get thrown in disgust, sites get delayed, and feelings get hurt.

So we act as designers to the developers, and developers to the designers, but in ways that make sense to both parties.

And then we explain the whole thing to the client.

Content Management

The vast majority of our clients have trouble managing their content in a friendly and engaging way. We frequently build sites on the Content Management System (CMS) Drupal. Not only are we huge fans of Open Source Software, but Drupal has really become a very powerful tool.

We take this engine, build a non-cookie-cutter visual interface around it, and build conduits to custom data pieces that can't be handled by Drupal by itself.

There is a trade-off, in that Drupal--as with ANY CMS--delivers less-than semantic code. But it's still otherwise standards compliant, MORE semantic than much of the web, and easy to use for the customer.

Cost

Most design/dev shops don't display prices, but this irritates us. The fact is, tho, our kind of work is very custom, so we don't have a menu of products and prices. But we can tell you that we bill at $90/hour, and the average project costs between $4000 and $8000.

If your needs are simpler, and all this geekery has you reeling, see our sister site: Brand Bento for menu-priced design and web packages.

Architecture IS a marriage of form and function

For anyone to love it, it has to look good. It really does. But all the beauty in the world means nothing if the windows and doors don’t work.

The web is exactly the same.

Syntax:8080 fits right in that spot between design and development, speaking both languages and engineering products that really actually totally work.

And look great, too.

Or Keep it Simple If you are just looking for an inclusive design and development starter package for an affordable price, try our sister company, Brand Bento. Complete Design and Web packages from $800.