Spicy Web Designer Interview with Dan Olsavsky

Dan Olsavsky is a front-end developer and web designer from Denver, Colorado in the United States. He originally started as a 3D Designer after graduating from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh and took a job as a junior web designer. Dan has been designing professionally for the last 5 years after graduating from school and he says that he has grown as a web designer and front-end developer. Since then he has held positions as a Senior Front-End Developer, a Web Marketing Consultant and most recently a freelance front-end web developer and designer. He has designed using a number of web technologies including Flash, JavaScript, PHP, CSS, AJAX, ASP.NET, Actionscript and mySQL just to name a few.

1. How did you get started in web design?

About a week after I graduated from college, I was able to obtain a job as a 3D Designer. After about 6 months of hair-pulling and mental fatigue, I knew that it wasn’t the right career path for me. I was getting ready to pack my bags and head west to try something new when I came across a job posting on Craigslist for a Junior Web Designer. I didn’t have much experience with web technologies; however, I had taken a few Flash courses in college (which I really enjoyed). I applied for the position and was eventually hired. The company took a big chance taking me on considering I didn’t have much experience designing websites. It was a huge payoff for the both of us!

2. When did you start designing websites?

I designed my first personal Flash website in June 2004 and my first professional design in September 2005. My first professional design is still on the web but desperately in need of a re-design, http://www.nu-visioncorrection.com/ …lol, I have come a long way since then!

3. What are the biggest challenges that you face in web design currently?

By far, the biggest challenge for me is cross-browser compatibility. I still test my websites for Internet Explorer 6 but I develop for Firefox because it has more capabilities. I can easily spend more time troubleshooting and hacking style sheets for IE6 than it takes me to code the website in HTML. I am getting a lot better at it but they really need to do away with IE6.

4. Why do you refer to yourself as a Front-end developer over calling yourself a web designer? Is it a way to brand yourself to your clients?

I refer to myself as a Front End Developer because every other way I have tried to describe what I do back-fires. For instance, if I label myself as a Website Designer, then clients will ask me who will program the website (i.e. they think that I only do the design). If I refer to myself as a Website Developer, then they will ask me who will do the design. I think the label “Front End Developer” helps to clarify what exactly it is that I do… and if not, it at least prompts the client to ask. In addition, yes, it is also a way to brand myself to my clients.

5. Where did you go to school and has it helped you become a better web designer/front-end developer?

I graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in 2002 with an Associate’s Degree in 3D Animation and again in 2004 with a Bachelors of Science in Multi Media Arts and Animation. It was apparent from a young age that Art was going to be “my thing”. My Mother was a Commercial Artist and my father was a Technology Specialist it was only natural for me to mix the two mediums. I enrolled in the Art Institute while I was still in High School; it’s where my Mom went to school. The Art Institutes curriculum was really focused around Traditional Mediums, Color theory, Art History and Professional Development. These skills are absolutely necessary to becoming a professional Designer. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for my education.

6. Since you first started how has the web design industry changed? Has it changed for the better? If so, how? If not, please explain?

The web design industry has changed significantly since I started… and for the better. When I first started, web designs were boxy and stale with limited interaction. Then came along the CSS and Designers are now able to separate the form from function. This made websites more aesthetically pleasing and engaging, but still not very interactive. Now “Web 2.0” has taken over! This term can describe the look (subtle gradients, custom icons, 3d elements, large text, white space, neutral backgrounds) and the advanced functionalities (RSS, XML, JavaScript libraries, blogs, video and a myriad of other hosted services). I can’t wait for what’s around the corner!

7. What are your favorite tools to use when designing a website? Why are they your favorite tools?

My favorite software to use when designing a website is Adobe Photoshop. I have been using this program for over 10 years and I am quite comfortable with all of its features. Photoshop is quite robust and I can create anything I want (digitally) using the program.

My favorite resource for inspiration is CSSDrive.com.

In regards to hardware, I use the Logitech MX Revolution mouse. Great painters use good brushes and the same goes for great web designers. My works has increased exponentially when I started using a mouse that is specifically for Graphic Design.

The best tools of the trade are a sketch pad, pencil, eraser and an open mind! With these, your possibilities are endless!