PaleoHacks.com is a website were users “ask and answer questions about the Paleo diet, exercise and lifestyle.” I spend a lot of time on Paleo Hacks, most often in the evening which is why I created a “dark style” that is easier on the eyes than the default black on white. It’s easy to install the style, you just have to have Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox and the Stylish for Chrome or Stylish for Firefox extension. Style page here: http://userstyles.org/styles/56471/dark-paleo-hacks

I’ll break it down for anyone that needs the extra help:

First install Google Chrome here:

Once installed, open Chrome and visit the style page here: http://userstyles.org/styles/56471/dark-paleo-hacks

Click on “First install Stylish to use this style.”

Once at the Stylish extension page, click the blue “Add to Chrome” button and then “Install” when prompted.

Head back to style page here: http://userstyles.org/styles/56471/dark-paleo-hacks, and click “Install with Stylish”

Done! You can now browse Paleo Hacks without stressing out your eyes. If you find something that I missed (something really dark and too hard to read) just email me and I will keep the style updated. Also, you can find user styles for almost any popular website. I’ve got them installed for YouTube, Reddit and Facebook. It’s super easy: Using the Stylish icon in the upper right hand corner, just click “find more styles for this site.”

Bonus Tip: While I’ve got your attention, check out F.lux. It’s a program that “adjusts the color of your computer’s display to the time of day, warm at night and like sunlight during the day.” Your eyes will thank you!

On this Veterans Day I’m happy to announce Black Deer Outfitters, a virtual hunting/fishing intelligence database for US Military. The first phase of this project was exciting and Marc did a fantastic job explaining his vision. This being only the landing page there is a lot of work to do to create a fantastic site for a spring 2012 launch.

My first step toward web development was in 2005 when I purchased my first domain, chrisstauffer.net. At the time I was very print/graphic design oriented and I used that website to display my artwork; wallpapers, posters, photo manipulations, tshirt designs, you name it. Then at some point I decided it was time to brand myself and find a .com domain to call my own. In the fall of 2007 I came up with the name ‘Grafikkid’, but at the time I spelled and pronounced it ‘Grafik Kid’.

'Grafik Kid' Logo, circa 2007

That website launched in the spring of 2008 (complete with seizure-inducing flash animations and background music.)  I held onto that logo for a couple years and in 2009 I made ‘Grafikkid’ one word and developed the following logo:

'Grafikkid' Logo, circa 2009

I held onto that logo for a long time and it made its way onto several websites and business cards.

Fast forward to 2009/2010, both of which where big years for me. I enrolled in a proper web development class at the local community college and shortly after that I started an interactive design internship at Bernstein-Rein Advertising in Kansas City, MO. Between those two experiences I was able to ditch old school, table-based websites and jump head first into tabless (DIV/CSS based) frameworks. That opened up a whole new realm of possibilities and I’ve been building on them ever since.

This past year, I feel like the stars have aligned and Grafikkid has finally come into its own. Between great clients, a brand new website and the opportunity to keep learning something new each and every day, I am looking forward to what the future brings.