Hi, I'm John Swaffield

Do you need help with your web site, marketing or IT?

I'm a web professional from Plymouth, Devon, UK

I do web design, marketing and IT support. Sometimes I describe myself as a web developer because it’s a convenient label but my skill set is broader than that.

I’m enthusiastic about how the internet can be used to improve businesses and people’s access to knowledge. As a result, I have developed a wide range of skills covering internet marketing, SEO, project management, design, programming and Windows and Linux administration.

I’m a graduate from the University of Plymouth, part-time Open University student and a parent. I have several industry qualifications including Google Adwords, Zend PHP Certification and MySQL Certification. I also passed the Google Analytics Individual Qualification (IQ) exam this year.

I would describe myself as positive, persevering and productive.

If all that hasn’t put you off then take a look at my profile for some more details.

University of Plymouth

1995 – 1999

MediaLab Arts / DAT (BSc Hons): I graduated with a 2:1 in MediaLab Arts from the University of Plymouth in 1999. The course is now known as Digital Art & Technology.

It is an excellent and innovative degree course, combining creative design elements with theoretical frameworks and technical practice. The course includes a year spent on industrial placement. I worked as a new media designer.

Degree in IT & Computing

2008 – Present
I’m studing towards this degree in my spare time and have already completed the Open Uni’s Certificate in Web Applications Development course.

Object-oriented programming with Java

The fundamental ideas behind object-oriented programming using the Java language.

Putting Java to work

A good grounding in many of the advanced facilities of object-oriented Java including inheritance, polymorphism, class libraries and the Java human-computer interface.

Relational databases: theory and practice

An advanced relational databases course, starting with database management systems and their facilities. This was followed by a theory of relations, underpinning topics such as data modelling and database architecture, SQL and the development of a practical database system. It also touched upon the role of JAVA and XML.

Designing applications with Visual Basic

More object-oriented programming, this time using VB to design and write small applications.

Microsoft server technologies

This course covers Windows Server 2008 Active Directory configuration and network configuration. The syllabus closely follows the Microsoft Official Academic Course (MOAC) used for the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist exams.

Design thinking: creativity for the 21st century

Students will gain an understanding of design, acquire new design skills and build a portfolio of design projects as a strong foundation for future study or work experience. This online course looks at common principles of design and ways of thinking that lead to ideas and creative solutions.

Certificate in Web Applications Development

2006 – 2008
An Open University course that covers the web application development process, including PHP programming, database design and open source development and versioning tools.

Web applications: design, development and management

An introduction to web application design and development including usability, HTML and CSS.
Result: Distinction

The client-side of application development

Designing and developing client-based applications using JavaScript.
Result: Grade 2 pass

The server-side of application development

Exploring the role of the server in web applications and using Active Server Pages to create dynamic Web pages.
Result: Distinction

Databases within website design

This course introduces database design using entity-relationship diagrams and the construction of queries MySQL and Cold Fusion.
Result: Grade 2 pass

Open source development tools

This course introduces the origins and aims of open source software, and its principles of software development and distribution. The course provides practical experience of CVS, PHP, MySQL and Apache.
Result: Distinction

Web server management, performance and tuning

This course explores the role of server administration and its contribution to planning, deployment, and management of a web application. It introduces tools and techniques to assist with capacity planning, monitoring of workloads, identification of performance bottlenecks, and security failures.
Result: Distinction

My skills My experience Contact me

PHP Developer, MySQL Database Developer Internet Marketing Plymouth, Devon, Cornwall Plymouth Web Site Designer

My Latest Blog Posts

Web Site For Local Restaurant in Devon: The Montpellier in Brixham

Posted by & filed under Blog.

I’ve just finished a web site for a friend of mine who has taken over a restaurant in Brixham, Devon. The Montpellier Restaurant is on Brixham harbour and offers light meals and drinks during the day and is open as an elegant restaurant in the evening. I felt the web site needed to emphasise the… Read more »

Design Thinking: Creativity For The 21st Century (U101)

Posted by & filed under Blog.

After a summer break I have started my next Open University course and the end to my (second) degree is almost in sight. Once I have finished this course in May I will need to do just one more standard length course and a short course to complete my degree. After a few heavy going… Read more »

Completing my Google AdWords Certification

Posted by & filed under Blog.

To achieve Google AdWords certification, you need to pass two online exams. I passed the Google Advertising Fundamentals exam in July and took the Search Advertising Advanced exam two weeks later. The Google Advertising Fundamentals exam is compulsory but you have the choice in which advanced exam you take. There is the Advanced Display exam,… Read more »