How did you get into web design?

It was inevitable for me to get into web making since my whole life was interweaved with art and design. After I graduated School of Design, Faculty of Architecture at University of Zagreb, Croatia, I was already a dedicated graphic designer. It is hard to practice print design but never touch the web design. Last couple of months I switched almost completely from print to web design.

Do you remember the very first site you designed?

I almost wanted to say ?no?, but then? it was my very first portfolio site. I wanted to practice web site design/construction with my own project so I can later be more skillful in web business for real clients. I think I made that site back in 1997 or 1998. The second one - www.activecolor.com - came 2,5 years later and it still exists - but soon will be redesigned.

Where do you get your art for these webpages?

I either specifically make art for the certain webpage project or use something appropriate from my own archive of art and photos. In other cases one cannot avoid using photos from the stock such is istockphoto.com or dreamstime.com.

What will be the next big development in webpage design?

The more and more we can see 3d and video in web. I guess one day web pages will be like a glimpse into a different world, a virtual reality where monitor will be like a window to it. Because I cherish simplicity and functionality in web, my only fear for future web is unnecessary complexity.

Have you ever worked with website templates?

No. There?s no point in using templates when I have loads of ideas.

What do you think about Flash technology?

Flash is powerful. It gives web designers versatility and much more possibilities opposite to HTML. Unfortunately my ActionScript knowledge isn?t very high, so I give programming to flash programmers.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using Flash?

The main advantage is usage of vector objects, animation, video; small size; almost no limit to the design etc. Regarding disadvantages... there are few. First of all you have to have a flash plugin. If your website is targeted widely in the world, you have to make flash site in not so current version of flash player. Usually that means you cannot produce something with newest version of Actionscript because not everyone will able to see it. I was amazed how lazy people are to upgrade its outdated flash player.

Since version 8, the rendering of fonts are vastly improved so that is no longer a disadvantage of using Flash. On the other hand, there is a problem of compatibility between PC and Mac in editing FLA. I make my design on PC and programming is done by my partner on Mac - and you couldn't believe how different publishing is on different platform. I mean this regarding fonts: there is a shift of font placement as well the different font leading. This can be avoided only by publishing final SWF on the platform where it is designed. It is the most annoying bug for me since I know Flash.

What are your sources of inspiration?

Everything around me, from the web to the nature. Conversation with other designers and users can also be inspirational.

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

My favourite, that I produced, is my personal page. When you design something for yourself you can make something exactly you imagined in first place. Some of the sites I like, and that I didn't design, are www.diesel.com, www.dhky.com, www.tokyoplastic.com.

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

Toughness of the project is dependent on the client and how easy is to work with. Once I had very demanding client that wasn't satisfied with anything I made for him as well anyone he employed before me, and that led to 15 different ideas which is absurd. I would cut him off but it was part of joint project with my friend, so it was quite painful. After all this trouble, the 15th idea was accepted.

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