A few weeks ago we launched a new site for Charley’s Grilled Subs along with our friends at b&a. One of dynamIt’s many tasks in the project was building a store locator whereby you can search the database of over 350 Charley’s worldwide locations to find one near you.

We have a database of all US zip codes and a database of all the Charley’s locations, each with associated geocoordinates (longitude and latitude). Thus we’re able to calculate a distance radius around any zip code and display all of the places within at which we can get a delicious Philly cheesesteak. But, what if we want to add the ability for people to enter their city, state, country or any combination of the three and still get the benefits of GIFOY.

Suddenly we have to deal with the fact that if one just enters “Columbus” then we may display Columbus, GA results when the user really wants that radius around Columbus, OH. We’d all like to think that when you say Columbus without the state, you mean Ohio, but our database does not know that. Ok, no problem, we have a zip code database that knows the city and state to which it belongs, we can just devise an algorithm to see if multiple matches exist then display options to the user to see which one is intended. This sounds reasonable, right?

Yeah, it does….until you realize that there are 18 states in this country which contain a city named ‘Columbus.’ Eighteen?!?!?! Yes, 18. So, we could go with our first idea and list all 18 asking the user which Columbus they meant, but that isn’t too friendly is it?

Alas, we turn to our comrade-in-arms Google and let them do our thinking for us.

We’ve all used Google maps. We know its fairly simple to find what it is we want when searching the maps for place names. Luckily, Google so kindly provides a simple way to deliver us developers place data (including geocoordinates) given a simple string search query using their Geocoding API.

There it is, take the user input, run it through Google and let them figure out that Columbus, OH is more important than Columbus, GA. Sorry peach-staters, Google has spoken.

Dynamit was honored as one of the “Best Places to Work” in 2010 & 2011 by Columbus Business First newspaper and Interactive Agency of the Year. Times are even better in 2012 and we’re hiring a Web/Graphic Designer for our aggressively growing team.

This is an exciting opportunity to work on cutting edge projects for well-known brands in a dynamic, entrepreneurial and highly creative environment. Please email resumes/cover letters and portfolio information (documents or links to online examples) to Gary Moneysmith via gmoney@dynamit.us.

A web/graphic designer on the Dynamit team will:

• Be well versed with Adobe Creative Suite: Strong knowledge of Photoshop, experience with Illustrator and InDesign.
• Have a strong understanding of Usability & Web Trends: Experience with user interface design, knowledge of best practices & examples of this in a portfolio or live site/application design. They will also be up-to-date on web trends and design tactics with examples.
• Have experience in user experience design (UXD) designing application and system interfaces. This experience is crucial for this position.
• Have Basic Programming Knowledge: We’re not looking for a developer here, but the designer should have the ability to design for web with a knowledge of the boundaries and how to design for execution by a programmer.
• Have a Strong Portfolio: We’d like to see much more web work than print.
• Be eager to learn, with a passion for design & the web. The designer should have a strong internal drive for industry knowledge and be committed to furthering the craft.

Experience is important, but personality is key. Our culture is what drives us, and we’re looking to build our team with someone who both fits and contributes to it.

The position is full time at our office in the Arena District in Columbus, Ohio. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package as well as a fun, high-energy, intellectually-stimulating work environment.

Benefits Include

• Competitive salary (compensation will be based on skills and experience)
• Fully paid medical/dental insurance for employees
• Paid parking
• Unlimited vacation time (within reason)
• Office bar + climbing wall — not recommended together

Don’t sit back. If you want to work in a fast paced work environment with great people who love what they do, apply today.

About Dynamit
Dynamit is a digital agency based in the Arena District in Columbus, Ohio. We work with clients and brands on digital initiatives that include strategy, design, user experience and development. We influence communication and commerce. Client work includes Hilton Worldwide, Charley's Grilled Subs, McGraw-Hill, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), E-Z-GO, American Electric Power (AEP), Columbus College of Art & Design and the Ohio State Medical Center (OSUMC) to name but a few.