Custom Web Design, Built From Princeton, Illinois

Affordable, Custom Web Development

Based in Princeton, Illinois, 2 Geeks Web Design focuses on affordable custom web design and development. Alongside client work, the studio hosts Project Astromech, a build journal written by Ryan that follows the construction of a life-size, radio-controlled R2-D2 droid — from dome electronics to leg drive systems.

Explore the Project Astromech journal for detailed posts on dome lighting, motor controllers, and body construction, or browse the Parts Rundown for a full component list with sources.

Inside the Build

The dome uses a 300mm hydroformed 6061 aluminum shell by Daren Murrer, animated with Kevin Holme's Ultimate Dome Hinge Set and controlled by CuriousMarc's Marcduino Dome Control System. Lighting runs through a Teeces 3.2 Logic Display and PSI system. Looking for ways to protect your site without breaking the budget? Check out our guide to free WordPress plugins for stronger website security Free WordPress plugins for stronger website security.

Locomotion relies on Midwest R2 Builders Club DDR Foot Drives, driven by Pololu Simple High-Power 18v25 motor controllers, with a Syren 10 handling dome rotation — all commanded through a differential drive system operated via RC. Early posts trace testing of the drive motors and RC transmitter configuration, along with community references from Astromech.net.

The Body and Legs sections document frame planning and propulsion hardware in more detail, while the Electronics section covers motor controllers and RC setup.

Based in Princeton, Illinois, 2 Geeks Web Design was born from a simple conviction: small businesses deserve websites that look as polished and professional as anything a large agency might produce, without the oversized price tag that often accompanies it. The studio's approach is refreshingly straightforward, pairing clean, modern design with honest, hands-on development. Every project begins with listening, not templates, meaning each site is built from the ground up to reflect the personality, goals, and voice of the business it represents. That commitment to craft and care is what keeps clients returning and referring their neighbors.

The design philosophy at 2 Geeks Web Design leans into the editorial. Warm cream backgrounds, bold coral accents, muted olive bands, and generous white space create a look that feels both contemporary and timeless. Typography is carefully considered, with clean sans-serif faces carrying navigation and body copy while a bold serif display adds dramatic punch to large photographic headlines. Nothing is rounded, shadowed, or boxed in; instead, solid color blocks, thin rules, and full-bleed imagery do the heavy lifting. The result is a visual language that feels airy, confident, and refreshingly uncluttered in a web full of noise.

Beyond client work, 2 Geeks Web Design is home to something delightfully unexpected: Project Astromech. This ongoing build journal, written by co-founder Ryan, documents the step-by-step construction of a life-size, radio-controlled R2-D2 droid. From intricate dome electronics to the mechanics of leg drive systems, the journal captures every milestone with the same care and precision the studio brings to its web projects. It's a celebration of tinkering, problem-solving, and pure geek enthusiasm, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at what happens when passion and engineering collide.

Project Astromech is more than a hobby log; it's a testament to the kind of curiosity that drives great design work. Building a functional, life-size droid requires patience, iteration, and a willingness to learn new skills — qualities that translate directly to crafting websites. Each logged part represents hours of research, soldering, 3D printing, and troubleshooting, all documented openly for fellow enthusiasts. For visitors who stumble upon the journal, it offers a warm glimpse into the personalities behind the studio, proving that the people building your website are not just developers, but genuine makers and lifelong learners.

The Princeton, Illinois location grounds the studio in the rhythms of small-town Midwest life, where relationships are built on trust and a handshake still means something. That local sensibility shapes how the team works with clients, whether they're just down the street or across the country. Communication is clear, timelines are honest, and the work is done with the understanding that a website is often the first impression a customer gets of a business. The team treats each project with the same neighborly care they'd want for their own storefront, ensuring every launch is something the community can be proud of.

Affordability at 2 Geeks Web Design doesn't mean cutting corners. Rather, it reflects a lean, efficient workflow that strips away unnecessary overhead and focuses resources where they matter most: design, development, and support. Custom-built sites are crafted with modern standards in mind, ensuring they load quickly, display beautifully across devices, and remain easy to maintain long after launch. This practical, no-nonsense approach appeals to entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and local institutions that need a strong online presence without the complexity or cost of enterprise-level agencies.

The studio's visual identity mirrors its values: honest, warm, and unpretentious. The coral-red accents serve as a lively counterpoint to the calm cream backdrop, while the olive-green band adds a grounded, organic touch reminiscent of the Illinois landscape. Bright yellow headlines over photography inject energy and optimism, suggesting that the web can be a bright and welcoming place. This palette, consistently applied across every project, gives the studio a recognizable fingerprint while still allowing each client's own content and imagery to take center stage.

For anyone in Princeton, Illinois, or beyond, who has been putting off a website refresh or starting from scratch, 2 Geeks Web Design offers a straightforward path forward. The team pairs seasoned technical know-how with a genuine love for what they do, and that enthusiasm is evident in both their client work and their personal projects. Whether you're a small shop owner, a creative professional, or simply someone who appreciates well-made things, there's something here for you — a website that works hard, a story worth following, and a team of geeks who are happy to geek out with you.

Parts & Sources

The Parts Rundown lists hardware by section, with direct sourcing for major components:

Visit the full Parts Rundown for sourcing details and links.