How did you get into web design?

I was surfing in 2001 and found Nando Costa's portfolio - Hungryfordesign.com. At that moment the website showed a really strange animation - at least for me - called ?Flatness among others'. I was really amazed by what I saw and decided that I wanted to do things like that, or generate in others the same thing that I felt in that moment. So I started to play with Flash, bought a couple of books to learn, and a year later started to work for e-volution.com.

Do you remember the very first website you designed?

Yes, it was the website for the Agronomy School of the National University of Lomas in Argentina, thank God that thing is not online anymore.

Describe how your work process usually flows, how do you like to start?

I start discussing with the client about their needs, their expectations and wishes for the website, and what do they like to say or communicate with the graphics they want me to do. I usually ask the client for graphic references but I really like starting to work from scratch. After that I sit on my table or walk around the studio looking for ideas or inspiration, surfing, flicking through my books and try to come up with at least three different proposals.

Do you submit your design works to showcase sites for reviews? How much does other people's opinion matter to you? Has anybody ever told you anything negative about your website? How do you deal with criticism?

Although most of my work is not submitted to showcase sites, I do show it to colleagues or friends or different clients, and always try to listen carefully what they say. There's a few bunch of people which's opinion really matter to me and try to learn from them, but I don't mind people talking about my work. Of course sometimes I got a negative opinion from someone, but those are the ones that I think you need to hear with absolutely objectivity, because they could be wrong, but they also could be right.

Where do you get your art for these webpages?

I try to do all the art in my websites, it is the thing I enjoy the most.

What is your general opinion on current trends in design and development, such as Web 2.0 and AJAX, etc.? What future web technologies are you looking forward to?

I think they are really useful and make the web easier to surf and update, but I don't think they are going to erase Flash out of the map.

Why do you think CSS design is becoming so popular among web designers?

Because CSS can save a lot of time in updating and it's becoming a really powerful tool, getting more flexible, allowing the designer do amazing stuff with just a couple lines of code.

What do you think about Flash technology?

I really enjoy working with Flash, trying to add little things to the project, and being able to do almost anything with it. But the real deal is that the main concern is the user and navigation, so Flash can do amazing things for you but handle with care.

What does 'clean interface' mean to you?

Use only the elements you need. It doesn't mean minimalism, or pure white, or no graphics at all... but try to keep it simple and focus on the information the client wants to show.

What language do you use for coding? Why?

Flash Actionscript. HTML. Little CSS. So far, these are my coding skills, I'm always looking forward to projects that challenge me a little more, push myself to learn a little more.

Tell us about your use of colors in your designs.

I try to think in colors that respond to the client communicational needs, but I enjoy using saturated colors, and some times kind of odd color palettes.

You're a web designer and a creative person - describe the creative process and how you stimulate yourself?

My first stimulation is to walk. Around the studio, in the street, wherever. That's the way I found a path, a small idea, a small starting point. After that, I draw a lot, I flick in books or surf, and when I found my self trapped or stuck I start walking again.

In solving problems what kinds of process or guides do you use?

I try to be really logical about problems, drawing yes/no diagrams or looking for similar cases and learn from those.

What are your sources of inspiration?

There is a lot of people that I always look at. www.nandocosta.com, www.michaelmichaelmotorcycle.com, www.zeloot.nl, www.bantjes.com, www.mwmgraphics.com, www.hydro74.com, www.adhemas.com. But I also like to look for inspiration in 70's Fillmore posters like Bob Masse or Victor Moscoso.

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

My favorite websites are always the ones I didn't do. It's really hard for me to be proud of my websites as I always think that I could make them better. If I had to choose one I think http://www.havaianas.com/ does the trick for me.

What are your interests and dislikes in webpage design?

My main concern is always to try to do a website that the user could actually use easily, but adding small things or gadgets that make the surfing experience a little different. Something that it's difficult to handle in website design is time. Clients usually - at least in Argentina - have really tight deadlines and that is not good for both parts in the deal. But on the other hand, being always under pressure made myself faster and faster - so I try to consider it not a problem but a chance to train myself.

What is it you most like and dislike about being a web designer?

What I like the most is that webdesign allows you to generate new things, new ways, new everything in each project. What I don't like is that you have to became really mathematical, learn new ways of coding each time. I can do it, but is not like I actually enjoy it.

You've worked with many people. What makes for a good web team?

I think that human skills are the main thing to consider in a team. You could have the best designers and coders in the same room, but If they don't speak the same language nothing good is coming out of that.

What advice would you give to beginning web designers?

Buy books and spend hours in front of the computer. Surf and learn.

Thank you, Federico, for the illustrations, Flash examples and your experiences.