Portfolio: Point of Departure Music Journal
Craftsmanship in Action — Selected Projects
Every project is an opportunity to blend thoughtful design, clean architecture, and purposeful technology. Below are some highlights that showcase how Auralicode® LLC helps clients solve complex challenges and achieve superb outcomes.
DISCLAIMER: I, Galen Tenney, Founder of Auralicode® LLC am NOT endorsed by or affiliated with the United States Federal Government, the Maryland State Government, or the Montgomery County, Maryland Government, even though I have been a Contractor for all of them in the past.
Frederick Experimental Music Association — Music Journal Design
Point of Departure - An Online Music Journal, Issue 1
Point of Departure, Issue 1 marks the beginning of my professional trajectory—the first large scale digital publication I helped bring to life. Published by jazz critic Bill Shoemaker, the journal covers jazz and experimental music through essays, columns, and record and book reviews, and it launched in 2005, at a time when online magazines were still finding their identity. As its first web designer, I laid the foundation for the site’s architecture, layout, and digital presentation, helping translate a print era editorial voice into a clean, modern web experience. This project represents the foundation of my design philosophy: clarity, structure, and respect for the reader’s attention.
Point of Departure - An Online Music Journal, Issue 2
Point of Departure, Issue 2 expanded on the groundwork laid in the first issue, refining the publication’s digital identity and strengthening its editorial flow. I continued to shape the site’s structure and presentation, ensuring that complex, deeply researched writing remained accessible and easy to navigate. This early work taught me how to balance content heavy environments with thoughtful design—a skill that would become central to my later projects across government, mission-driven, and conceptual research. It stands as a formative milestone in my evolution as a systems minded designer and engineer. After the first two issues, I handed the site to Bill Shoemaker’s staff developer, who has carried it forward ever since.
Why These Projects Matter
Because every modernization is a restoration of clarity — a system rebuilt to be humane, predictable, and accessible.
Do you offer free consultations?
Yes, indeed — you can schedule a free, 30-minute introductory phone consultation to determine whether Auralicode® is the right fit. Your full Discovery & Technical Sync happens later, after your Audit and Proposal.