How did you get into web design?

I needed a website designed for a business I was starting back in 1998, called www.menupalace.com, and the quotes I was getting for this job were over $250,000, so I decided I would learn to do it myself.

Do you remember the very first site you designed?

http://www.menupalace.com was the first website I designed. It took a very long time, but when I was done, it felt like I really accomplished something big.

You are doing a lot of restaurant websites, is this a specialization for you?

Our specialty is restaurant websites. We design a lot of restaurant websites. We have designed over 1,000 restaurant websites. And have clients around the world.

Where do you get your art for these webpages?

Most of the art is supplied by the client, and our website designers incorporate it into their unique designs.

What will be the next big development in webpage design?

As broadband speeds increase, and computing power increases, I feel we will see more dynamic websites, with more multimedia effects. Flash will be used more, as will streaming video.

Have you ever worked with website templates?

No, each of the websites that we design is custom designed.

What do you think about Flash technology?

Flash technology is very useful if used correctly. For restaurant websites, Flash is very useful. A restaurant does not just sell food on a plate, they sell the ?dining experience' and Flash allows you to really convey the unique atmosphere at that particular restaurant.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using Flash?

Advantages are the flexibility, and wow factor. I only see download speeds as a disadvantage, however if done properly, Flash website load very quickly.

What are your favorite website designs that you did and did NOT design yourself?

www.menupalace.com is one of my favorites, simply because the site is so complicated. Not only in terms of design but also in terms of back-end programming that is involved in making this massive website work well... My favorite designs can be found in the Flash portfolio at http://www.menupalace.com/internetservices/websitesflash.aspx.

What was the toughest project or customer situation you've encountered?

The toughest thing about dealing with customers is that they often get opinions from many other people. Website design is like art, and is very subjective. You can ask 10 people if they like a particular website, 3 will love it, 3 will hate it, and 4 will have no opinion. So when a client is getting many different opinions, especially from people who are not ?web savvy' it can delay the website design process.

Thank you, Michael, I wish you continued success!

Helen Walker

Helen Walker graduated with a degree in Mass Communications and Sociology. She worked as a newspaper journalist for two years after that. Having always been interested in cyberculture and its impact on society, Helen switched to online journalism and joined Design Interviews blog in July, 2007. Ever since she's been interviewing web designers and administrating the blog. Helen is a keen movie-goer and she is also a panda lover.


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Get in touch with Helen: helen.walker4@gmail.com