About AbleDesign

Many people will tell you that the biggest drawback to the internet is trust, or lack thereof. A big part of trust is familiarity. When you make an important purchase or investment, you want to know who you're doing business with. Business transactions on the web should not be any different.

AbleDesign is located in Salem, Oregon. We are licensed with the State of Oregon in Marion County. Although we call Oregon our home, we are true to the spirit of the world wide web and deal equally with clients of any region or country.

What sets AbleDesign apart from the multitude of other Web Designers? Attention to detail, pride in our work, knowledge of the medium, and a commitment to thorough, complete, and professionally presented projects -- to name a few areas. We are a small company, so you're not paying for extensive overhead such as supplies and benefits. With AbleDesign, your project isn't "done" just because it has reached the limits of the package or budget. We will work with you to ensure that it is complete and presentable.

What's with the name AbleDesign?

able adj  1. having sufficient power, skill, or resources to accomplish an object  2. marked by intelligence, knowledge, skill, or competence

-able adj suffix  1. capable of, fit for, or worthy of

design vb  1 a. to create, fashion, execute, or construct according to plan  b. to make a drawing, pattern, or sketch of  2. to indicate with a distinctive mark, sign, or name  3 a. to devise for a specific function or end  b. to conceive and plan out  - n  1. a mental project or scheme in which means to an end are laid down  2. a decorative pattern

DesignAble adj  1. (project) capable of being carried out by one with sufficient knowledge and skill

AbleDesign.com n  1. your best choice for full service web design, from planning to promotion, setup to search engine optimization and submission, and everything in between

There are many intangibles to a good design, such as aesthetics, orderly presentation, color combinations, and overall layout. If you have ever worked with calligraphy, you know that the empty spaces between and within the letters are equally important to, if not more important than, the letters themselves. This concept carries over very well to web design, where the ability to properly use the available space is at a premium.

So, who are we? Well, we thought you would never ask. Throughout this site, you will find references to "we," "us," and "our." Of course, these all refer to AbleDesign.com as a whole, but they also refer to the person behind the scenes -- Dan Kaplan. That's me over on the right, but you probably figured that out. There, now that that's out in the open, let me explain who I am and why I am seeking your trust and business.

AbleDesign grew out of a project known as Run-Down or Dan Kaplan's Run-Down Site. My personal belief is that it is always best to do business with someone who truly loves what they are doing, and that is exactly how I feel about web design. Run-Down has received numerous prestigious awards, most notably Surfers Choice Top-100 of 1999/2000, US News & World Report's Best of the Web, the Learning Fountain Award, Internet Brothers Gold Plaque for Helpware Excellence, and the Fortress Key Site Award for Excellence in Web Design. For all the awards, their descriptions, and links to the award sites, visit the Run-Down Trophy Room.

Web design is only part of who I am. I have a B.S. degree in Economics, with a Business Administration Minor, from Oregon State University (1997). My first two years of college were spent at Whitman College, where I was headed toward a Math degree before transferring. I am currently an Assistant Track Coach and Photo Finish Timing Operator for Willamette University in Salem. Previous work experience includes a Research Analyst for the State of Oregon's Office of Medical Assistance Programs in Salem, Environmental & Engineering Services, Inc. in Corvallis, and Northwest Engineering Services, Inc. in Tigard.

If I had to name a few of my strengths, it would probably come down to organization and dedication. While serving as President of the Oregon State Cross Country & Track Club, I put together the 1^st and 2^nd Annual OSU Cross Country Open meets, the first of which doubled as the USA Track & Field (national governing body) State Championships for Oregon. The following year, I received the Excellence In Student Leadership award for 1996-97, an award selected annually from more than 330 student organizations.