ToxicSven WebD², a division of ToxicSven Incorporated, is a Durban-based design studio, specialising in custom-built modular websites.

Initially working with CMS templates, senior developer, Nj Hourquebie, found these to be limiting and he began working on code snippets that could be tweaked and customised to suit the client's needs.  This has resulted in an extensive code library, which can be snapped into a client's website quickly and seamlessly.

This code library increases turn-around time in producing unique, easy-to-use, high quality websites that not only meet the client's requirements but are an asset to their company.

History

1998 - Mid-2003

The birth of ToxicSven WebD² began back in 1998 when owner, Nj Hourquebie, started Intrinsic Design, a web design company based in Pretoria, South Africa.

At the time, Nj was running an events company with a friend of his but felt that he needed a trade to fall back on.  Having no formal training past Matric, Nj became interested in web design through watching a friend of his working on his personal website and began playing around with web design packages like Microsoft FrontPage.

As his skills improved, he began to realise that FrontPage was very limiting in functionality and, using the ready-made templates included in the design package, made the websites he created look amateur and child-like.

Nj realised that, if he was to advance in web design, he would need to expand his knowledge in web design packages.  He started working with Macromedia Dreamweaver and Macromedia Fireworks and discovered that he was now able to let his artistic streak flourish.

His first formal contract was with the now defunct Brunswick House Publishing and Intrinsic Design was born.

Over the course of the next 5 years, Nj worked on various contracts, either alone or as part of a team.  These included the online portfolio of Master Piercer, Eddie Graham (Team), Sharon's Place (Solo) and Q-Res (Team).

Mid-2003 - 2005

By October 2003, it became apparent to Nj that, by focusing exclusively on web design, he had let the industry pass him by and he realised that the only way to move forward in the industry would to be to progress into web development.  However, at that time, Nj was offered a job as a Senior High School Educator and he decided, rather than take on learning a new skill, to cease trading as Intrinsic Design.

Nj took a 2-year break from Web Design while exploring other career paths, first in teaching and then in the petrochemical industry but he found himself constantly returning to his passion for web design.

2006 - Mid-2009

In January 2006, he realised that no other industry gave him quite the same sense of satisfaction and accomplishment as web design but, he also realised that, if he was to progress in the field, he would need to focus on web development as well.

Over the course of the next 14 months, he began dabbling in PHP, with the help of long-time friend, Gregg Comaroff.  In February 2007, on the eve of Nj's 30th birthday, he decided that the time had come to resurrect Intrinsic Design and him and Gregg joined forces to create SmartSites South Africa.

Working under the banner of SmartSites South Africa, Gregg and Nj developed GayYouth.za.net, as well as its sister sites, GaySA and ASLXtra.  This project then expanded into Treo and SmartSites South Africa decided to team up with Durban-based computer reseller, Media Sphere, owned by an old friend, Ashley Grey, to create SmartSphere South Africa.

Unfortunately, this venture did not quite pan out as planned and SmartSites and Media Sphere decided to go their separate ways in late 2007 and, in January, Nj pulled out of SmartSites South Africa to start his own studio, Toxic Ghecko Design & Development.

In August 2008, Nj and his partner, Sven Street, owner of Sven Street Public Relations, decided to create a holding company, Toxic Sven Incorporated, and, while still operating independently, offer their combined services to their client base.  Taking into consideration the direction the Public Relations and Marketing industries were heading, they felt by joining forces, they would be able to offer their clients a more complete range of services, thereby doing away with the necessity of their clients having to enlist a whole host of service providers to perform the individual functions.

Mid-2009 - Present

One year later, Nj received a call from Ashley, former owner of Media Sphere.  Ashley had decided that the time had come for Media Sphere to make a comeback and he asked Nj if he would be interested in relocating to Durban and teaming up with him in this venture, Nj and Sven agreed and loaded their car with cats and possessions and made their way to Durban.

On arrival in Durban, Ashley and Nj set about getting their joint venture off the ground.  Shortly afterwards, Ashley decided to pull out but Nj decided to pursue the venture under the ToxicSven banner.

Toxic Ghecko Design & Development became ToxicSven WebD² and, since opening in Durban, has gone from strength to strength.  We are currently expanding our client base here in Durban and look forward to adding you to our ever-increasing list of satisfied customers.