SpicyWebDesigners.com by Luc Arnold

David Trang from the Chicago, Illinois area in the United States is an up and coming web designer and developer who loves adding function to his clients’ websites and creating clean and solid designs. He completed his degree at DePaul University and after college he started designing for the web in 2003. He had some time to answer some of our questions at SpicyWebDesigners.com and tell us what allows him to enjoy what he does and this is where the conversation went…

Luc @ SWD asks: How long have you been designing professionally?

David says: I’ve been designing on the web professionally since 2003, just after completing my degree at DePaul University in Chicago. At my first job after college, I was given the task to manage and design a corporate-wide Intranet portal, which gave me the immediate “on the job” training that gave me a running start. Just before, I was still working more on the technical side of the field, but I learned that I wanted to branch out into front-end design and development, so it was a great opportunity. Now, I’m currently Web Producer for one of the largest jewelry companies in the country and I also do contract work on the side whenever I have the time.

Luc @ SWD asks: David how did you originally become interested in web design?

David says: Kind of in a strange way, but it started back in the late 90’s when eBay was getting really big. At that point, you were given the option of plain text or basic html tags to use for auction descriptions. Of course, I wanted to do anything to make my layouts clean and attractive to attract sales, so I basically played and learned the code myself to hopefully sell more! Looking back at it now, I’m sure most of my “pages” didn’t look so great, but it was an interesting starting point.

Then, it was in college when I started to look at web design seriously. I took a Human Computer Interaction (HCI) design course, and my professor handed out Steve Krug’s classic “Don’t Make Me Think!” guide. I couldn’t agree more with the concepts I learned and I still like to skim through it to this day (for nostalgic reasons too). It helped shed a new light on the usability aspect of web design for me, something I always try to take particular care of when designing a website.

Luc @ SWD asks: I see that your work uses a lot of well thought out typography and good use of space.  How important are the elements of space and typography in the web design work that you do?

David says: It’s crucial. Typography is something so many people take for granted, and I strive to showcase how powerful it can be throughout my designs. I’ll be honest and say that a lot of my previous work probably didn’t stand out well enough because I didn’t grasp the concepts of using space and type well enough. After utilizing the grid system, I’m able to plan my web sites not only with greater ease, but also having the assurance that the final outcome will succeed due to a few basic design principles.

Luc @ SWD asks: How do you stay up to date with what’s happening in web design?

David says: A ton of ways, including magazines like .net or through design podcasts like RBTL, but I probably learn the most through the ever prevalent web design blogs we see sprouting up these days. There are so many sites to name, where it’s almost become too hard to keep track of all of them, but that’s when Google Reader comes in handy.

As far for keeping up with the “news” side of things, Twitter is huge for me. By just following some of the big names in the web design field, I can gain tons of valuable knowledge each day. It also helps to gain new perspectives on design, and to see what other designers are saying/thinking whenever big news breaks in the industry. I can’t get enough of it.

Luc @ SWD asks: What methodologies and/or technologies do you use to plan out a web design project?

David says: It all depends on the size of the project, but for the most part I always start out with some sort of sketch for wire framing. I have a handy grid notepad, where I like to jot down layouts and ideas. Once I have something solid going, I’ll open up OmniGraffle and Photoshop to begin translating electronically. From there, my editor of choice is Coda and I use Firebug to tweak, all the way to final validation of code.

Other handy tools I use during the whole process are “Things” for Mac to keep my to-do’s in place, Quicksilver, which helps me with the repetitive tasks throughout the day with a few quick keystrokes, and finally Dropbox for transferring files between multiple locations.

Lisa Bun is a web and graphic designer from Chicago, Illinois in the United States. She technically started designing websites in 2007 but started in graphic design much earlier. Lisa studied at Columbia College of Chicago and earned her Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design in 2008. Lisa has recently been working for a local web design firm in Chicago as a Graphic Designer.

1. How did you get started in web design?

I actually fell into web design after getting an internship at a small web design company, by word of mouth. I was studying graphic design at the time and the only thing about web design that I learned was the little amount that was required of me, which was just basic HTML/CSS. After I landed the internship, there was one designer working there at the time, but I didn’t learn much. So when I was given my first project to work on, I just designed what I thought was best and took into account the project’s target market, industry, and competitors. For inspiration and a little help, I researched and browsed websites all day. Web designing was all relatively new to me, and I would just sit and create random layouts all day to get some practice. I just kept teaching myself new techniques and developed my skills in Photoshop. I can honestly say, looking back, I made some terrible layouts back then, haha. But after going from intern to employee at the same company, and making layouts day after day, in a few months I definitely began to grow as a web designer.

2. When did you start designing websites?

Technically, I didn’t start designing real websites until I became an employee, which was at the end of 2007. Like I said before, in the beginning, I wasn’t making the best web designs. But even at my worst, I was told I was doing better than some of the other designers that came in and out of the company. So that encouraged me to keep going, and I honestly developed my web design skills in just a matter of a few months. I’d like to think web design came naturally after a while, especially after seeing how many bad websites were out there, I was determined to help make the internet a little bit better. Right now, I think that I have developed a good understanding of the web and have made dozens of layouts for a large variety of clients. I personally always note my improvements and notice how much better I am now than the month prior. Practice makes perfect, right? I think so.

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

Currently, one of my challenges is dealing with clients. I know I still have a lot more experience to gain and I am constantly learning new things every day. So this may be a challenge that isn’t new to some, but I have realized how difficult it can be to deal with clients. There are the clients who think they are designers and find some way to ruin their websites, or the clients who constantly request revision after revision but don’t understand why their websites never gets completed on time, or the clients that think it takes a few minutes to slap together a design and want it done right away. I’m sure these are issues that many people encounter, and I am learning how to deal with these issues and how to set boundaries.

Also, I think right now there is the challenge of actually getting work/clients. I don’t know how many people are facing this challenge, but I think with the state of the economy still in bad shape, people don’t want to pay a lot of money for what they want or need. Unfortunately for some really talented designers, this means you don’t get paid what you’re worth and you may have to settle for less.

4. Do you code any of the web sites that you design currently? If so, what language(s) do you code in?

I can do HTML/CSS. My current website, which I just recently launched, is the first site that I coded myself. This is mostly due to the fact that I work at a company where I mainly create the design, and there is an in-house developer whose job is to do all the coding/programming. I see myself as a graphic designer that can design for the web, coding is not really my cup of tea. But as I begin to work as a freelance designer, I plan on and would like to continue to code more websites myself.

5. Did you study design at school or are you self-taught? If you went to school, how has your education helped you become a better web design professional? What other skills has it helped you to gain and what else has it taught you about design in general?

I went to Columbia College Chicago and studied graphic design. Web design was offered, but wasn’t something I thought about majoring in. To be honest, I think I gained more knowledge by jumping into the field of web design as an intern and learning it on my own, than I did at school. I’m sure going to school helped me in some ways, but I really believe that I learned more on my own – especially when it comes to web design. I’ve also had the opportunity to work with a few different designers, some experienced and some not at all. I have learned that you can’t judge designers by where they went to school or their age. Different things work for different people. I have worked with designers who were both much younger and much older, and designers who had years of schooling and some who had none at all. You would be surprised at who had real talent and who didn’t, or maybe you wouldn’t be surprised at all. Nonetheless, the design skills and knowledge that I have acquired in this time has also allowed me to become a better communicator (when working with clients) and a better problem solver (finding the best design solutions).

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?

I have been designing for the web for about two years now. It’s not that long, I know, but I have noticed some trends through my daily observations. What I have seen is the huge Web 2.0 trend that’s been going on for a while now. It has transformed many websites, definitely for the better, by putting an emphasis on simplicity and user-friendliness. Websites are becoming cleaner, easier to use, easier to read, and aesthetically pleasing. Although, one thing I will note with this trend is that more and more websites are starting to look the same. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but I think when too many websites begin to resemble each other, creativity and uniqueness can be lost. It reminds me of the current branding/identity trend where larger companies have been taking their brands and generalizing their appearance. To me, it just seems like people are for some reason shooting for a more generic look – which for some has not worked in their favor.

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

Photoshop and my Mac are the two things I couldn’t live without or design without. I use Illustrator for some things as well, but Photoshop is where I make all my wonderful web creations. There are also great websites out there that I think act as useful tools. I am still exploring different design galleries and blogs, but my current favorites are smashingmagazine.com and sixrevisions.com. These blogs are full of great resources and countless information for both experienced and non-experienced designers. I think it is important to keep up with the latest trends, what’s going on in the industry, and to hear the advice that knowledgeable design experts have to share. And as a designer, who’s determined to leave her mark in the design world , these two blogs, as well as others, are providing the information I need to help me do just that.

Jason Krenson is a multidimensional designer specializing in Flash development and print design based in Chesterton, Indiana right outside of Chicago from the United States. Even though he is fairly new to web design starting in as recently as a year ago he is a skilled print designer. Jason studied at O’more College of Design in Franklin, TN which taught him the core basics of great design which he applies to his design projects and allowed him to earn a BFA in Visual Communications.

1. How did you get started in web design?

I actually didn’t get started in web design until about a year ago. I’ve always been strictly a print designer, and just felt the need to try something different. I wanted to experiment through another medium and expand my knowledge to further my abilities as a designer. I’ve always been an artist from painting to music, and this was just another outlet for me to express myself through art.

2. When did you first learn about Flash and how long have you been using it?

I first learned about Flash when I took it as a class in school. I wasn’t really drawn to it at the time, more to print, but over the past year it has really become my favorite design tool and I’m constantly striving to become better. It’s really an amazing program and I want to master it.

3. When did you start designing websites?

I designed my first website as a portfolio project in my senior year flash & portfolio class in college. That was in 2003.

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

I would say the biggest challenges I face are keeping up with the most current styles and trends as well as trying to do something that I haven’t seen anyone else do… To be as original as possible.

5. Do you code on any of your web design projects? And if so, do you consider yourself a “Front-End Coder”? Why or Why Not?

Yes I code 95% of my flash websites. I get help when I need it as I am always learning new things but I feel if you really want to expand yourself and become the best flash designer you can be, you need to take the time to learn Action Scripting and html coding in order to bring your designs to that next level.

6. How does the motion design related projects you work on differ from the print work that you do? Which do you prefer more?

There is a tremendous amount of difference between the two. When I work on a motion project it’s as detailed but more planned out and structured due to action scripting and coding. With print, you deal with pre-press and production which take a lot of the time. Also with print, I get a general idea of where I want to take the design and it usually evolves as I move forward in development. I really don’t prefer one over the other. I enjoy both. Print is fun because you get to see your final project printed and being used in the environment you designed it for. Motion is equally rewarding because the limitations are endless on what your capabilities are as far as artistic ability and creativity and your audience is on a greater scale.

7. Where did you go to school and has it helped you become a better web designer?

I attended O’more College of Design in Franklin, TN and had a wonderful education. I was taught the most important fundamentals of graphic design and was constantly pushed and challenged to perform to the highest quality with every project assigned to me. I still apply those expectations to my work today which makes me a more detailed and better designer.

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

I believe the web design industry changes constantly and for the better. There are always new techniques and tools coming out which enhance your creativity and further your abilities to create better website designs.

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

I have to say the tools I enjoy the most designing a flash website are adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. I love mixing photographs with vector illustration and these two programs give me the full spectrum of achieving that style and applying that to my website designs.

Chris Mickschl is a Web Designer / Developer living in Chicago, Illinois in the United States. He’s been designing websites for a about 6 years after he got out of college and eventually found himself in a small web design agency in Chicago. Some of Chris’ clients have including everyone from small business to large fortune 500 projects. “Topher Mick” is his online space for showcasing his skills from design work to coding.

1. How did you get started in web design?

Like so many in the industry, I didn’t set out to become a web designer. After two years of long labs, too much studying and inhaling far too many chemicals majoring in biology and chemistry, I thought back to a visual communications class I took in high school and thought, would I rather be “drawing pictures” or pipetting chemicals into graduated cylinders and test tubes.

So I entered into the visual communications world and ended up taking a beginner web design course, the only one offered at my college. The professor didn’t have any web experience and was teaching us to export psd mockups as html (cringe), but what did I know at that point?

My senior year of college I was able to get an internship at an agency in Chicago within their New Media Dept. Once I was exposed to the work being produced, I had a goal and direction to strive for. I think Flash is what really got me excited about web design. The semester I spent as an intern allowed me to realize what I did and did not want from a job.

2. When did you start designing websites?

The first site I designed was in 2003, just out of college and eager to teach myself flash. This probably sounds familiar, but I designed a site for myself. The site was a bit impractical, essentially an exploration into pushing the bounds and creative expression with ActionScript and all types of user triggered animations. I was scouring the Internet for inspiration and resources, constantly pushing my knowledge. Television advertising was also a source for animation concepts and inspiration.

I eventually found myself at a small web agency in Chicago designing and building “hybrid” sites. While I was hired because of my flash skills, it was at this job where I really got back to the basics of web design and began focusing on clean, hand-coded HTML and CSS. When I started there I didn’t know anything about CSS, but the php developer pointed me towards some online resources to learn (thanks Rod!). This experience was the impetus to get me to where I am today.

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

The web is constantly evolving and I think being able to adapt my skill sets and learn new design techniques and technologies is, and always will be a challenge.

More specific to design, client approval is always a struggle. The degree varies vastly from one to another – some appreciate and have confidence in the designer’s expertise, while others challenge it. Being able to defend/explain design decisions to a client is an essential part of the job.

Lastly, as IE 6 continues to be used, cross browser coding is always a challenge. Please, please, upgrade your browsers!

4. Do you code on any of your web design projects? And if so, do you consider yourself a “Front-End Coder”? Why or Why Not?

I hand-code all the front-end development work for both my fulltime and freelance work. I’ve actually done freelance work for an agency in Chicago where I was only doing the front-end development work. The agency had print designers doing digital comps, so they were outsourcing the development. I think as a web designer, one should be knowledgeable of how the site will be built and how to implement given technologies. I think this capability can separate one candidate from another when selling yourself for a web design position.

5. Where did you go to school and has it helped you become a better web designer?

I went to a small private school in the northern suburbs of Chicago, called Lake Forest College. I didn’t receive any formal training other than introductory course previously mentioned. I will say, which is extremely common with most people I know in the industry, I am self-taught. I’m a goal driven person and am always excited to educate myself in the field. I’m passionate about web design, so it was easy learn on my own then, as well as continuing that same growth today.

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?

I think there has been a shift from over-designed, poorly constructed web sites to a more stripped down, clean, minimalist approach in professional web design. With the push for accessible, standard driven web sites, flash, which was the initial reason I was interested in getting into web design, I find myself using less and less.

In addition, the use of audio and video has become increasingly common over the past couple years as more Internet users are on high-speed connections. This has led, and is leading to many new opportunities for effective communication online.

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

I use InDesign for information architecture and wire-framing and PhotoShop for the visual design. Bringing the design concepts to life, I hand-code Strict XHTML with the layout and presentation done exclusively in CSS using Coda.