The Internet has been around in a variety of forms for over 25 years. Since the early 1990s it has become much better known outside the academic/military complex from whence it came. This was initially due to the improved cost effectiveness of e-mails against international faxes.

The much hyped arrival of a simple user interface to the media-rich World Wide Web in 1994 created a rapid increase in the amount of bandwidth used as well as the interest shown by other media (notably popular press and TV) to explore the medium. The multimedia potential of the Web, combined with its ubiquity and low entry cost enticed both business and domestic users into surfing and even establishing a web presence.
By early 1996, support for building Web pages was comparable to the early days of desktop publishing - any idiot could do it. Unfortunately most web sites looked precisely like they had been put together by just such an idiot!

The early days of pages built by programmers and others from the IT department (technically very clever, but looks terrible - the Gee Whizz phase) led onto the assumption of the role by the marketing department (beautiful but takes two hours to fill the screen - the Ooh Aah phase).
What is needed to use the medium well is an intelligent combination of aesthetics and graphical design talent with technology and technical understanding to achieve pleasing results that are not frustrating (the At Last! phase). Very few organisations have understood the way to achieve this, even fewer have put it into practice.
There is a clear need for a talented web design studio that can use these principles to implement the best web sites for its clientele. The Alnpete Web Design Studio aims to address this need.

There are now many companies and other businesses that are offering web design services. They fall into four categories:

	Print and media design houses that are keeping up with technological changes. Many professional graphic designers have been using Apple Macintosh computers since the mid 80s, so the Web allows them to deliver design work electronically without the analogue processes of hardcopy print to get in the way. Although these businesses are well versed in graphic design and using computerised tools to produce artwork, they have virtually no technological understanding of the potential or limitations of the Web and Internet technology. Most are also very naïve about the significant difference that interactivity makes, and much of this web design is very derivative of print media (glossy brochures on a screen). Only a handful (largely those who were already multiple media capable) have the skills or capabilities to produce animation or motion pictures or sound.
	Traditional print and media design houses that have jumped on the bandwagon or been panicked into it because their best clients want to use the Web. Most of these are struggling to understand how to use the technology to originate content, and have not progressed to a mature understanding of either the medium or its technology.
	Web cowboys, mostly techno-nerds who see an easy way to make money which requires less effort than real programming. These are the proof that any idiot can build a web site from a standard template with a simple 'instant web page' software package, using clip art or illegally copied artwork. Frequently targetting inexperienced or technically-challenged businesses, they offer seemingly cheap web site development but are no longer around to provide subsequent maintenance or changes as and when required. These are the cyber equivalent of the caricature double glazing salesmen!
	Collaborations between Internet-savvy technologists and aesthetically trained graphic artists who can conceive, design and build effective and efficient web sites. This is the smallest category and is the natural home for Alnpete. Unlike much of our competition, however, we specifically aim our services (and hence prices) at small and medium sized businesses as well as large corporations. To discuss your specific requirements get in touch.

As an holistic and ecologically aware business, Alnpete reserve the right to decline to deal with defence, slaughter or anti-environmental customers. Conversely environmental, conservation and vegetarian organisations may be offered preferential rates at our own discretion. For further details contact freebies@alnpete.co.uk