The Dark Illuminations Method

  • Simplification:

    • In the city of Gordion in ancient Macedonia there was a huge, intricate knot tying a ceremonial ox-cart to a post in the palace of the kings of Phrygia. It was prophesied that the man who untied the knot would become king of Asia. Many people came to the city to attempt to untie the knot, but for years no one succeeded. Finally, in 333 BC, Alexander the Great appeared at the palace. He looked at the knot for a short while, and then simply sliced it in half with his sword. This story has become a metaphor for the use of simple, direct reason to slice through a seemingly insoluble problem stemming from unnecessary overcomplexity .
    • Many organizations have acquired software packages over the years to perform a variety of functions. As most companies grow, their needs evolve and newer software is installed. Over time, this results in a "Frankenstein monster" built from many incompatible systems. This mishmash of a system typically results in failures, frustration, wasted time, loss of data, and worse. Many people assume that it is too costly to replace these systems, and may also be resistant to the idea of "throwing away" software that they have invested time and money in over the years. However, at Dark Illuminations we specialize in integrating all of the needed functionality into a single system that works seamlessly. Like Alexander, we use the swords of our reason to slice through the knot formed from overcomplicated technologies pieced together without regard to top-level planning or overall architecture. We replace the tangled mess with a suite of customized Web services that can communicate with each other and share resources for optimum performance.
    • Paradoxically, in the highly technical sphere of information technology, complexity is your enemy. As in so many other aspects of life, the principle of Occam's Razor holds true: the simplest solution is the best.
    • The way of Dark Illuminations is to streamline your business process through an interactive dialogue of Communication, Creation, and Collaboration.

  • Communication:

    • Client-Centric Agile Development
      A Web site or RIA suite is custom software, usually designed for people who are not software engineers or Web programmers. This means that our clients often know what they want, but not necessarily what they need. Dark Illuminations is committed to the philosophy of Agile Software Development. We begin the development process with an informal "kick-off" meeting, during which the entire Dark Illuminations team sits down with the clients and attempts to elicit their requirements and business needs. This meeting is followed by a proposal outlining the requirements and describing the solutions. The Web application is then constructed in "cycle builds" of about two weeks in length, with a client/developer acceptance meeting at the end of each cycle. This guarantees that our clients are involved in each step of development, so that we do not waste time and money building software that the client does not want or need.

  • Creation:

    • Custom Technology Solutions
      In the 20th century, the Web was focused on "sites": virtual places where people could "go" to see information. Web sites incorporated the paradigm of print media, and were therefore composed of "pages", static information presented in a rigid hierarchical form. The Web has evolved greatly in the last decade and now functions as an application platform. Rich Internet Applications (RIAs) are software applications that run on the Web, and represent a paradigm shift from the static Web site to a more dynamic, interactive Web. Dark Illuminations can build you a customized Web application suite to integrate all of your business priorities into a single intuitive interface!
    • Content Managment Systems
      Establishing your Web presence is only the beginning. Web applications, just like Web sites, require maintenance, troubleshooting, and updating. Rather than establishing a 24-hour help line, or requiring clients to hire a Webmaster or IT team, Dark Illuminations empowers our clients with a state-of-the-art Content Management System (CMS). A CMS is an online control panel for your Web presence, allowing updates and corrections to be made quickly and easily, on-the-fly. Simple and modular, yet customizable, the Dark Illuminations CMS will save you time and money while addressing your Web-related business needs!

  • Collaboration:

    • Ongoing Partnership
      Dark Illuminations is much more than a mere design & development firm, which are so ubiquitous as to be a dime-a-dozen. We see a client relationship as an ongoing partnership, in which the client and Dark Illuminations work together for mutual gain. We will continue to develop and add functionality to your existing suite of Web applications, to research cutting-edge ideas and technology so that you will not be "left behind" in the rapidly-changing and often-perplexing world of Web technology; and to educate our clients, empowering them with knowledge and control. Let Dark Illuminations bring light to your darkness!
    • Web Hosting
      Dark Illuminations provides clients with a variety of tools for establishing a Web presence. We take care of all of the confusing details.
      • World-Class Servers
      • Burstable Bandwidth - Scalable To Your Needs
      • Unlimited Email Adresses
      • Security Certificates For Encrypting Sensitive Data
      • Merchant Accounts For Accepting Credit Card Payments
      • Database Design & Administration
      • Guaranteed Network Uptime
      • Full Support Provided
      • Customizable Content Management System
    • Beyond Search Engine Optimization
      Dark Illuminations works with our clients to boost your Web visibility. This begins with Search Engine Optimization, but goes several steps further. We extend our clients' Web presence into industry discussion forums, the blogosphere, social networking Web sites, social bookmarking services, local and national print publications, and many other types of new and emerging media. In addition, we can aggregate data regarding clients' online new media "footprint". In the collective ether of cyberspace, there is much more information about everyone than most suspect. Potentially embarrassing and negative data about you, your business, and your employees may be adversely shaping your online presence without your consent or knowledge. Dark Illuminations staff includes professionals trained in digital media, social psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, history, anthropology, fine arts, and even an ordained minister. We have the understanding, training and resources to help reshape your Web presence to send the message you want to communicate to the world!