The Boss:
That would be me.

Design education:
College for 6 months in DTP. Other than that I'm totally self taught.

Hunk, spunk or flunk:
None of the above.

Disgusting personal habits:
I smoke too much and don't drink enough.

Nice personal habits:
I keep a nice clean house.

Hobbies off the net:
Longing to get back on the net. Beer. Clubs. Beer. Reading. Beer.

Favourite quote:
A wise mouth is a closed one - Anon
All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking - Nietzsche.


What do you know about Australian web designers:
The Australian standard is very high as compared to America, Australian designers seem to consider all issues relating to the web, not just how it looks. We are very concerned about bandwidth and browser issues (<cough>Spike</cough>), as our average internet access speed is a lot less than the US, where most of the country is wired for xDSL and other high bandwidth technologies.

How did you first learn of the internet:
I read a book by Dvorak in 1988, he had a whole section on "Modems" and I thought "Wow. I wonder if I have one of these modem things" then promptly ripped apart my 386. Much to my dissapointment we didn't have one.

What do you like/hate about the net:
I love the fact that I have information and communication at my finger tips. I love the diversity, and the fact that people can express themselves however they want. I hate spam, banner ads and Java Applets. I hate dodgy one man hosting/design companies who offer a sub standard service. I hate Spike. I hate Zivo. I love www.apple.com. I love Steve Jobs. Ok getting a little carried away there.

What drew you to web design:
I think the fact that I've been a geek since the age of 9 contributed to this, I was interested in Graphic Design in high school, and also interested in the programming aspects and interactivity. I bought a modem late 1996, bought a book, looked up some tutorials and went from there.

What is your working style (Photoshop, etc):
It's very clean and simple, I don't have the time nor patience to do over complex stuff. I suppose that's one of my downfalls. I like to use bright/high contrast colours. Scan lines are always a favourite, I should get over that one of these days.

Do you think that Flash is cool or overused:
Flash is too overused, and rarely impresses me. Soon it will be a standard, and designers will be looking for something to surpass that. After all it's content most 'net users are after, not the bells and whistles. However I do think that Generator is fantastic, and can be used for alot of interesting dynamic applications, such as Stock quotes, Greeting cards, etc.

Do you prefer technologically advanced sites or sites with simple but good design:
I like a quick loading site with sexy design and content that is interesting to me. DHTML and Flash don't really impress me.

Do you have any cool design tips:
Clients are always wrong.
Quark sucks. Pagemaker rocks.

Favourite sites:
http://www.darkhorizon.com.au/swanky/
http://www.nrg.be/
http://www.hsx.com/
http://www.waferbaby.com.au/
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~jiwan/
http://australia.cnet.com/

Favourite designers: (Web or otherwise)
Chris Cunningham and DR, David McKean, any designer who works their butt off but gets no credit for the final work.

Design styles you hate:
I don't think I hate any type of design, most have their good points. Except dodgy web designers who insist on using bevel buttons. Ugh. Get over it boys and girls!

Do you think web designers will become the design elite:
I don't think so. We're too geeky and will never have the fashion sense of our print counter parts. But gradually we're becoming a more diverse bunch. We're young, multi-skilled, intelligent, and highly sorted by employers. I know alot of web designers who think they are king shit, those sorts of people need a good slap. I hate egos.

Do you see yourself as an influential web designer:
I don't think so. Alot of people say they admire my talent and how far I've come, considering I'm only 21, which freaks me out a bit. I've always been a very quiet person, and not one to have a large ego. I expect a hell of a lot from myself, and am never completely happy with my work, so I can't really say if I'm influential or not, as my opinion is far from objective!

How would you like to be remembered:
As the best designer ever to take to a mac whilst wearing Ren and Stimpy boxer shorts.

Any final comments:
Get over yourselves and your egos, live life, have lots of fun, spend time with the ones you love, because you never know what you've got until it's gone. (Was that soppy enough, Andrew?)

Thanks David!