Name:
Mat A. Mejia

Age:
26

Location:
Los Angeles, CA

Mac or PC:
Mac

Site(s):
h73.com // paradox.com

The Boss:
USI

Design education:
none

Hunk, spunk or flunk:
well, in highschool I was the only Spanish guy who flunked Spanish.

Disgusting personal habits:
I leave left over chinese food in the fridge for weeks... =(

Nice personal habits:
I try to respond to most of my e-mail?

Hobbies off the net:
piano, volleyball on Venice Beach, racing the car up the PCH

Favourite quote:
The revolution will not be televised, but there will be a webcast

What do you know about Australian web designers:
well, out of the few I know I'd have to say they're very cool people, very expressive, very talented... looking forward to visiting you guys in the near future.

How did you first learn of the internet:
I went to visit my father one day a few years ago and he showed me this graphical presentation/map of the American River Bike Trail which he designed and posted "on the web" uhhhh..... right.. cool dad, whatever

What do you like/hate about the net:
I like that it's not controlled which allows people like ourselves to continue to build these personal shrines. I don't really hate anything about it though bandwidth issues and browser compatibilities are irritating. I would really like to see more original work, If anyone has an idea for the big "what's next" drop me a line.

What drew you to web design:
It is a form of art that has a vast global community which is easily accessible, and you can make a shit load of cash too! :-) aside from that, I'm a visual person who loves all things beautiful. Web Design allows us to paint a digital pallet without waiting til after we're dead to reap the benefits.

What is your working style (Photoshop, etc):
I rarely go outside of photoshop & illustrator, but I'm making the time to mess around in flash more these days... having fun.

Do you think that Flash is cool or overused:
Flash has definately made it's mainstream mark on the web. With the implementation of the pre-installed shockwave plugin in the latest browsers I see nothing about Flash to frown apon. We owe alot to people like Todd Purgason, Joshua Davis, Matt Owens, Hillman Curtis, the boys at Vir2L (DC Chaos) and many others for continuing to take the technology to the next level. It's an exciting time for the industry.

Do you prefer technologically advanced sites or sites with simple but good design:
I feel the depth and vision of a static image can still wow people just as much as any technology available, but I envy those who are capable of implementing both.

Do you have any cool design tips:
Just do what looks right to you.

Favourite sites:
At the moment I'd have to say FluidDesign.co.uk, Eneri.net, TinTin has a great gallery of personal work up right now, I really enjoyed heliozilla.com, and I'm really impressed with the latest BlastRadius site... can't believe they have frag sessions and nerf-gun warfare just like us.. are all design firms alike? =)

Favourite designers: (Web or otherwise)
Jimmy Chen, Kyle Cooper, Jennifer Sterling, Paul Lee, too many to mention

Design styles you hate:
There is nothing I hate, just wish there was more originality.

Do you think web designers will become the design elite:
I think that is inevitable. The global platform will consume the mainstream market space if it hasn't already. Can't say I know of any print designers that havn't already attempted web design as well. I don't think web designers will become elite, the elite will become web designers.

Do you see yourself as an influential web designer:
I'd like to think I've inspired a rookie here and there. That paticular title would definately be a long-term goal.

Any final comments:
Great site Andrew! keep up the nice work. cheers