Experience

My name is Liam Cromar, and I’m a freelance website developer living on the Herefordshire–Powys border. As a programmer, I also perform Android app development for mobile phones and tablets.

I’ve been commercially involved in designing websites since 2003, and my experience dates from well before that. I’ve handled a number of different types of website project, having successfully designed websites ranging in complexity, from the online shop of the limited company Bee Basic to the biographic website of the writer Matthew Engel. If I could be said to have a speciality, it would be websites for writers.

I’m a registered data controller on the data protection public register of the Information Commissioner’s Office, and you can read more about my commitment to privacy in my work.

Location

I’m based between the Herefordshire market town Kington and the Powys town Presteigne, in the heart of the area known as The Marches. Since web design is location-agnostic, however, my clients are not limited to the Hereford area, but are spread across the UK.

Education

I’m an Open University graduate, having received a first-class honours bachelor’s degree in Computing.

My studies at the OU included learning the fundamentals of interaction design (IxD). This is particularly applicable to website design, since it is concerned with improving products—including websites—to make them easier and more pleasant to use. The Distinction grade that I received for this work reflected my interest in this aspect of design.

In addition to my Computing studies, I also studied Spanish and Business with the OU, resulting in my receiving the Certificates in Spanish and in Business Studies.

Interests

I am an aficionado of cricket, by far my favourite sport. I captain and manage an occasional touring side known as the Haymakers. Off the field, in 2013, my take on Shakespeare and cricket won the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack Writing Competition, appearing in the 151st edition. I’ve also written for ESPNcricinfo and other cricket publications. I currently serve as the Wisden Almanack’s technology correspondent.

I also like my music, particularly the blues and swing-era jazz. I play the piano and the Hammond organ, neither very well. In the words of Algernon Moncrieff: I don’t play accurately; anyone can play accurately, but I play with wonderful expression.