CREATIVE WEB DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT
FOR SMALL BUSINESSES & MAKERS
From stunning websites to smart apps, I help you grow online—without the tech overwhelm.
Meet Your Designer-Developer Ally
Why Work With Me
I bring a thoughtful, full-spectrum approach to every project — blending development, design, and lived experience. Learn more about how I work and who I am:
I’m Joel Southall — a web designer, developer, and problem-solver with a passion for bringing real ideas to life online. I help small businesses, artists, and nonprofit groups who need more than just code. They need clear communication, thoughtful design, and user-friendly tools they can trust.
I also organize and speak at Eugene’s .NET Meetup (EugDotNet), where I lead discussions and workshops on modern development topics like Blazor and full-stack app building. This keeps me sharp, plugged into the local tech scene, and always learning.
Whether it’s a full website, a small app, or a redesign, I combine full-stack development, UX strategy, and graphic design to help you bridge the gap between vision and execution.
I’m a hybrid artisan with a background in philosophy, journalism, game design, and visual arts. Before becoming a developer, I worked as a writer, designer, and academic — and I still bring that interdisciplinary lens to every project I take on.
As a First Nations Ojibwe technologist and creative, I care deeply about building tools and experiences that empower communities and respect context. I design with purpose — not just polish.
I believe that technology should serve people — not the other way around. Good software clarifies, empowers, and connects. It should reflect the values and voices of those who use it — not just those who build it.
I aim to build with care: from culturally respectful visual language to accessible interfaces. I believe in careful thinking, inclusive planning, and creating tools that communities can own and trust.
Services overview
what i offer
Web & App Development
Custom websites and tools.
Branding & Design
Logos and messaging kits.
E-Commerce & CMS
Editable stores & sites.
Tech Consulting
Advice, audits & strategy.
Featured Projects
Here are a few featured projects that demonstrate how I blend frontend polish with backend logic, accessibility, and real-world utility.
TribeFinder App
A tool to help users locate the five nearest tribal offices using the Google Maps API.
Tech: React, JS, JSON, Google Maps API
Eugene DotNet
A community site for organizing events, sharing resources, and building a modern .NET group hub.
Tech: Blazor, Razor Pages, .NET Core
Philosobot
A Blazor chatbot with selectable philosophical personas powered by GPT-3.5 and OpenAI’s API.
Tech: Blazor Server, OpenAI, C#, Bootstrap
GardenSense
A smart garden monitoring UI simulating temperature/light sensors with Blazor. Raspberry Pi–ready.
Tech: Blazor, .NET 8, C#, Bootstrap
ShelterFinder
An app to help unhoused individuals find nearby shelters and resources. Built for accessibility and community impact.
Tech: Flutter, Dart, Node.js, Express
How I Work
DISCOVER
We meet and assess your project or idea in context. I listen, research, and propose initial directions.
DESIGN
I build mockups or layouts, gather feedback, and iterate toward your visual identity and goals.
DEVELOP
I develop your site using the right tech stack, providing previews along the way.
DEPLOY
We launch and handle hosting, domains, performance, and SEO basics.
SUPPORT
I stick around for updates, edits, and new features after launch.
REVIEW
I audit your current site: design, accessibility, SEO, performance, and messaging.
REPORT
You receive a detailed report with findings, recommended actions, and urgency levels.
DISCUSS
We meet (or message) to go over findings and decide what to tackle first.
IMPLEMENT
I can fix key issues myself or support your in-house team with guidance.
EXPLORE
We talk about your brand, audience, vibe, and what you want to express.
SKETCH
I brainstorm, sketch, and iterate — from concept to digital drafts.
REFINE
We refine together based on feedback and use cases (web, print, etc.).
DELIVER
You get finalized assets (PNG, SVG, etc.) and support for integration.
Let’s Build Something Amazing Together
Let’s build together — your ideas, my experience, our collaboration