About Todd Swift, ThemeKings Web & Graphic Designer
Welcome to my website! I am Todd Swift, a local Web Developer and Graphic Designer at ThemeKings.
My fascination with computers began during my 6th grade when I had the opportunity to sit behind a computer at a friend's house. Back in 1982, it was a rare sight to find a computer in someone's home. I vividly remember the small monitor, measuring only 9 or 10 inches, and the cassette drive used to load software information. Despite our excitement, my friend and I were eventually asked to stop using his fathers computer after an argument over who would have a turn at the keyboard.
In my 7th grade library class, I got my next chance to use a computer, specifically the "Apple IIe." It was during this time that I had my first experience with designing computer-generated graphics. I remember spending hours using large yellow pixels and a lengthy script to create a smiley face on the screen. That moment sparked my passion, and I became captivated by the endless possibilities.
During those early years, I would draw landscapes and animals on paper, imagining how they would come to life on the screen. I would write programs on paper, visualizing the images taking shape. Unfortunately, I didn't have my own personal computer until I was an adult, so I couldn't fully develop my skills and knowledge at a younger age. I often wonder what I could have achieved if my family could have afforded a computer back then. In 1982, a personal computer cost between $1,200 and $1,500, equivalent to around $4,300 in 2020.
It wasn't until my first full-time job that I had access to a computer and some free time to experiment with computer graphics using programs like Paintbrush. Ah, the memories! You can see my first two Paintbrush images, "AIR MUSEUM" and "RACE DAY," created in 1993, as well as an updated version of "AIR MUSEUM v2" that I remade in 2020.
Throughout my journey, I have always been driven by the ambition to be creative, particularly in the realm of computer-generated graphics. Developing and designing websites has become my much-needed outlet for creativity. Our community provides a platform to share our designs with like-minded individuals, making the role of a web developer and graphic designer even more fulfilling. With the advent of tools like Visual Studio, Photoshop, Fireworks, Python, and other web development technologies, the scope of creativity has expanded significantly. Designing and coding has never been more exciting than it is today. I am thrilled to share my personal designs with our community.
Many have asked if I develop responsive websites, and the answer is a resounding "Yes, indeed!" However, I still appreciate the designs of the early years of the internet. I hope you share the same appreciation as well!
