How did you get into web design?

As a child I was always hopeless at Math and Science but good at the creative subjects, and when I took a class in Printing and Graphic Arts in High School, I made up mind that I wanted to be a Graphic Designer. By the time I got to University I had taught myself most of the print design software so looked for the next challenge in Flash and HTML. One of the great things about web design is that it is universal - this has allowed me to travel around the world and end up where I am now in Japan.

Do you remember the very first site you designed?

It was a photography portfolio for myself and friend Tim from Loud Whisper. At university we were trained in Adobe PageMill - gasp!, so it was pretty basic, but we took our time coming up with an original design and interface so it was kinda cool - at the time at least.

You are doing a lot of Flash design is this a specialization or you?

Because a lot of graphic designers are afraid of the technical side of Flash I have tended to specialize in it, but I enjoy making anything look good - whether it be for print, web, TTV, signage or multimedia. I also love photography and music composition, which I am often asked to do for multimedia soundtracks.

Where do you get your art for these webpages?

Starting from a sketch, photo or brainwave, I always try to create original artwork.

What will be the next big development in webpage design?

With the popularity of Flash video increasing along with broadband speeds, we can already see sites becoming more like interactive television. I hope in the future we will see new developments in software that makes the design and programming of a site to work together in simpler and better ways - particularly with Flash based sites.

What do you think about Flash technology?

I love it. It gives the designer so much more freedom to create smooth and really attractive browsing experiences. . . but in the wrong hands can result in irritating over-the-top garbage.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using Flash?

Nothing can match Flash's ability with animation, sound and video to create high impact, dynamic, engaging sites. From a designers perspective it is really a blank canvas where you are free to express your imagination in ways that the restrictions of HTML and CSS don't allow. I guess the main disadvantages are search-engine optimization and ease of integration with databases and CMS.

What are your sources of inspiration?

Of course surfing the web for fresh ideas and inspiring design - www.thefwa.com is a good start. Plus I was taught at Art School to look for beauty in the details all around us, things that most people just walk past - here in Japan the hectic and often grimy urban environment is full of inspiration.

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

I always check the FWA site of the day and there's been some great examples of inspiring Flash design on there recently such as www.triworks.net www.jonathanyuen.com www.ff0000.com . It's the minimalistic style that usually impresses me, not the busy 'we've got the cash lets burn it' sites promoting defense, cars and booze. I guess it's also pretty clear in my portfolio that it's the simple, clean style that I subscribe to. The studio I previously worked for, Mango Chutney's site, www.mangochutney.com.au was fun to make, as was my portfolio at Darryl Bennett Design. With self promotion it's always nice to enjoy the time and freedom that you don't get when working on a commission. But it is hard to find time to keep it up-to-date. . . it's about time I launched version 3 of my site before I get left too far behind!

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

Thankfully, to date I have always had good relationships with my clients - and it's those who put more trust in me and give me the most freedom, that I can produce the best work for.

What are your interests and dislikes in webpage design?

I'm interested in visually stimulating, cutting edge design using the extra dimensions of interactivity, motion and sound to go beyond what is possible with print media. I dislike webpages designed by coders with no aesthetic sensibility - of course there are some rare people who are truly multi-talented, but usually it takes a team effort of front and back end to get that really professional result.

We appreciate your responses, Darryl, and wish you continued design successes.

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