Don Schnitzius stands on a small stage holding a microphone, facing forward

About

I build web platforms for people building something of their own.

Design, development, and long-term care for serious web work.

Don Schnitzius is a Chicago-based designer and WordPress specialist. He builds accessible web and mobile products for small shops and owners — the folks building something of their own.

Designer

Don Schnitzius sits on a stool facing an easel that displays a layout board with color blocks and page sections

1A — I design for clarity and predictability. Some projects start with research and requirements, while others start as rough concepts that need structure. In both cases, the goal is to build an interface that is difficult to use incorrectly.

1B — I practice defensive design. This means thinking ahead about where users might hesitate, get confused, or make mistakes, and fixing those issues early. Catching these kinds of problems during design is cheaper and less embarrassing than fixing them after they go live.

1C — Content is part of the design. From writing and illustration to marketing, strategy, and structure, I provide as much or as little as the project requires. For those without a corporate budget, this ensures cohesion without agency overhead. AI tools help me move faster, but I hand-craft the output to keep the quality sharp and the voice undeniably human.

Front-end developer

Don Schnitzius stands with raised arms beside a floating screen showing lines of code and interface elements

2A — I build sites that work and keep working. I focus on accessibility and speed, the technical details that keep users from bouncing. I make sure the code is clean enough to load fast, and structured enough that you (or the next dev) can actually update it without breaking the layout.

2B — I deliver production-ready code. My work covers specific builds: full web sites (HTML, CSS, JS), custom WordPress themes (PHP), iOS layouts (Swift), React components (JSX), or 3D extensions (Python). I don’t touch base-level server infrastructure. I build the part of the site or app that your users actually see and touch.

2C — A large part of my work is long-term WordPress site care. I handle the structural work — redesigns, custom themes, and platform migrations — to make sure the site stays fast, accessible, and easy for you to manage as it grows.

How I work

Don Schnitzius stands beside four lions arranged on stools, holding a chair and a whip in a staged pose

3A — I’ve worked across design, development, and education since Kajagoogoo was in the Top 40, for clients ranging from Fortune 500s to sole proprietors.

3B — That experience means I don’t need to guess. I can spot technical dead ends before we start, which avoids wasted time and money. And because I understand both the design and the build, the original vision doesn’t get lost in translation.

3C — I know how to make your project fit your budget. I take a practical look at what you have and what you want, and figure out how to give you what you need. And if I can’t, I tell you up front.

My goal is to extract clarity from complexity.

Documentation & systems

Don Schnitzius sits at a desk typing on a typewriter, with stacks of paper arranged on both sides

4A — Clear documentation is part of planning, not an afterthought. I provide the editor guides and process notes necessary to keep your project maintainable. Whether it’s for you or a new team member, I make sure the “how-to” is as reliable as the code itself.

4B — My documentation is built for quick reference. A clear TOC, exact page names, direct URLs, labeled sections, and step-by-step instructions. No hunting through a video to find one control.

Perspective

Don Schnitzius carves a stone block with a hammer and chisel, shaping a small geometric sculpture.

5A — I am relentlessly making things. Whether it’s 3D worlds, songs, or generative art, I spend my personal time exploring ideas without commercial intent. I had early training in fine art, and I still approach projects that way. I’m looking for the big idea, even if the code I’m writing today has an expiration date.

5B — These pursuits aren’t distractions; they are how I stay sharp. They’re a safe space to figure out what “finished” looks like and maintain high standards. I’m free to follow crazy ambitions down dead ends, and discover new ways to navigate the chaos of making things.

5C — To see what that looks like in practice, visit my Blender page.

If this approach fits your project, get in touch and let’s get to work.