1. We'd like you Rob to introduce yourself. Would you please tell us a bit about your background?
I am a web & graphic designer based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. I started designing and drawing from a young age and most of my design skills and knowledge are self taught.
After graduating from my course at Newcastle College, I had a wide portfolio of design skills which could take me into many different sectors of business. But I chose to follow the web design path. I started off going freelance while looking for a permanent job, creating websites such as Diamond Scientific.
I spent a lot of my time researching the W3C web standards and building sites to meet all accessibility guidelines. I then started work as a web designer
Back in 2006 at Blackprint, a print graphics and web design studio in Sunderland.
My role at Blackprint was heading up the web design department. I worked closely with the team of graphic designers, and I designed and developed all of Blackprints web sites. I was then offered the position at Guerilla as a Senior Web Designer in 2008. After working in this position for a year I was promoted Head of Digital in the close of 2009.
Whilst working at Blackprint and Guerilla I set up Branded07 back in 2007 which I use to shocase my work, blog about Web Design topics and write basic photoshop and web design Tutorials.
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2. What was your favorite color when you were kid?
I was a standard and tradional ‘Blue’ boy!
3.How did you get into web design?
I moved in to digital media while doing my Multimedia Design Course at Newcastle College. On the course we were taught a range of skills and software packages includingPhotoshop, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, QuarkXpress, Cinema 4D, Flash, typography, future trends, new media and advertising.
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4.What are your interests and dislikes in webpage design?
I am very interested in keeping up with trends and style movements, also new coding languages, I am very into playing around with CSS3 and HTML 5 at the moment, whether it is to early to be implementing these languages into client projects is a different topic but I am still keen to be ready when the time comes. I am also very big on web standards.
One of my main gripes about website design is none accessible sites, it is not hard to make sites meet web standards and it should be second nature to agencies and desigenrs these days.
5. Is it hard to find customers these days?
I find that since the launch of my site Branded07 in 2007 I have had a constant stream of interest in using my services for Web design and Illustration, so at the moment my site is basically working for me to gather up interest and contacts. So in answer to the question, I am not finding it too difficult to find customers or clients no, and I have built up quite a few retaining clients to keep me going through the quieter months, whatever they are!
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6. What’s trickier for you: to come upon a new client or to build further close cooperation with a regular customer?
I think it is always trickier to start working with new clients than keeping and retaining a longer term relationship with a client. It is more fun and interesting to start working with fresh new companies, but it is very satisfying to know you have a long term relationship with clients who are obviously coming back to you because they like you work.
7. What is the best way to relax after work?
Well, and this is quite sad, but I do not generally finish work until I sleep! So I would have to say sleeping!! On the occasions when I do get spare time I really enjoy going for walks in the country with my wife and dog.
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8. What are your sources of inspiration?
Tieing in with my answer above, I find there is nothing better in my line of work than getting ‘out’ and just experiencing the outdoors! It is amazing how much inspiration you can get from a change in environment.
I also spend a lot of time browsing the web at CSS design gallery sites, as it is always a real inspiration to see what others are doing and achieving.
9. Any advice for beginners?
I would say work hard, how boring I know! But that is the key from my point of view. Yes you can look at a good team, nice environment, good systems and work stations, but at the end of the day I truly believe you only get out of sometihng what you put in it, so the harder you work, the more you will achive, unless you get very lucky
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Arthur Johnsonarcher@designinterviews.com
Get in touch with Arthur: archer@designinterviews.com
