How did you get into web design?

I never did. I'm an illustrator and graphic designer. And a web page is just an interactive piece of graphic design. Learning HTML, CSS, web standards and flash wasn't that painful.

Do you remember the very first site you designed?

Yes. It was as stupid and ugly as a 'hello world' message.

You are doing a lot of illustration. Is this a specialization for you?

Yes, it is. As I've already mentioned I'm a multi-skilled designer. I do a lot of different stuff, and illustration is my favorite, because it gives me the freedom other streams of design can't give me.

Where do you get your art for these webpages?

Well, I am a designer, and it's not just a word. I create it. Sometimes, if I create a webpage for another artist ? he or she creates some bits that I use in designing the page itself.

What will be the next big development in webpage design?

I don't have an idea.

Have you ever worked with website templates?

No. Why should I do that? I have my own imagination and skills to create a webpage.

What do you think about Flash technology?

I love flash. I think it's the future of web.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using Flash?

There are no disadvantages. Some people say that ?not everyone has a flash player installed on their computer'. Well, I think it's their problem. It's a free player and it's easy to download and install it.

What are your sources of inspiration?

Music. Music only.

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

My own portfolio and the portfolio of guy known as Stenkat.

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

HAPC - Help a Poor Child - charity. I had to design a webpage for them. The lesson I've learned from that project charities are evil.

What are your interests and dislikes in webpage design?

I don't like when some people use java applets on their pages. That is annoying. Java is a dangerous thing, you know. It can make your computer crash or take control over it. And sometimes you get that message 'you need to install additional modules to properly view this page'... argh!

Any advice to other designers?

Don't deal with charities. They don't pay a lot and they are THE PAIN.

Thanks to you, Max, for the interview and your take on the webpage biz.

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