Spicy Web Designer Interview with Vicky Gourgouri

Vicky Gourgouri is a web designer based out of Greece who loves web design and all things web standards compliant. She first started building websites in 1998 and in 2002 started learning CSS and has been designing some of the most intriguing websites ever since. She has her Master’s Degree in computing and Degree in the History of Art which has helped her to excel in her career as a web designer.

How did you first get involved in designing websites?  When did you build your first website?  And when did you first start using CSS?

I started designing websites during my Master’s degree in Computing. My first degree was on History of Art, so I was quite influenced by art and design anyway. My first website was built in 1998 during my MA, and it was a language teaching website. I first started using CSS in 2002 and got entirely addicted to XHTML/CSS in 2004.

Why did you decide to call your website “CSS Addict”?

See above. I’m just addicted to CSS Design. I love the flexibility and benefits of CSS layouts so much: easier maintenance, less code, separation of content from design, increased accessibility and so much more.. In the beginning, I designed a blog on CSS tips and tricks (to justify the name), but the users were more fascinated on the design posts rather than the CSS blog posts that I gradually had to change them to include design subjects as well. Now, I might need to find a different name for my website, as the posts on design are more dominating.

How do you help your clients concerns with SEO when designing a website?

CSS/XHTML is great for Search Engine Optimization (as you probably already know). Generally though, SEO is so much more than clean code. I do provide all my clients with advice regarding the best SEO techniques for better/faster website high rankings as well as a clean, validated website to begin with.

How important is ongoing training and learning new topics of interactive design to you in your career as a web designer?

Getting continuous training is extremely important in our industry. As technologies change so is the web. Learning new topics of interactive design is certainly not a bad idea, as long as you can get the time to do it. I prefer to know one topic very well rather than having insufficient knowledge about many topics, if you know what I mean.

How do you find most of your clients?  Word of mouth? Agencies? Or some other way?

In the beginning it was freelance websites (still is, as some of them are really good). I have gained a lot of clients through my website and some through word of mouth.

What are 5 things you’d want a potential client to know about you as a web designer?

1. I am particularly fussy with my work. I provide clean, validated code and test my designs thoroughly in all major browsers & operating systems.
2. I tend to code in XHTML Strict mostly.
3. I always use usability and accessibility rules on my designs and code.
4. Interface design is my strongest skill.
5. I have used successfully WordPress as a CMS for many of my projects. Fast and easy to set up (most of all, great for SEO).

How do you price out the projects that you work on?

On an hourly basis. I like to provide quality at affordable prices. I think it is fair for me and the client both.