Spicy Web Designer Interview with Grace Smith of PostScript5

Grace Smith is a web designer from Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom. She currently runs a freelance web design business called “PostScript 5” and her own personal site where she discusses the latest web design trends. She graduated with a degree in Multimedia Design from University of Ulster in Northern Ireland. Grace owns, manages and runs a number of sites including CSSLoaf and Thursday Theme outside of her freelance web design work and she has been designing professionally since she left university in 2005 even though her original encounter with the web and design started back when she discovered Geocities.

1. How did you get started in web design?

After I graduated with a Multimedia Design Degree in 2005 I started work as a graphic designer for a local print company. Concentrating so much on print work made me miss working online though, so after a year I started to freelance in my spare time and build up both my contacts and portfolio to the point where I could freelance full-time.

2. When did you start designing websites?

I remember creating sites using Geocities when I was a lot younger, so it’s been a long time since my first site but I didn’t start properly until my first year at University.

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

Keeping your knowledge current and up to date with the latest trends, practices and technology. It’s easy to get comfortable and get into a habit of using the same practices and techniques so I continually push myself to learn new languages and tools as well as keeping a close eye on design trends and movements.

4. Do you ever refer to yourself as a Front-end developer or a web designer? Do you code any of the web sites that you design currently? If so, what language(s) do you code in?

I prefer to think of myself as a Front-end developer because I tend to concentrate on the User Interface, combining both the design and front end build in (X) HTML and CSS. Rather than the back-end, simply because my passion lies in user interface design. Although I have experience of working on larger development projects where I concentrated on the back end development and I do think it’s good to have an understanding of the entire development process even if you choose to specialize later.

I work on a near daily basis with WordPress, both on personal and client projects so a good understanding of PHP is essential. I also particularly enjoy working with other languages such JQuery and Ajax because of the added functionality you can incorporate.

5. Why do you enjoy coding your web projects using web standards?

Personally because I know I am creating websites the way the web should be designed and built. With accessibility and usability at the forefront, knowing you are contributing to this is a good feeling!

6. Where did you go to school and has it helped you become a better web design professional?

I went to the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland and it did help progress my design and web development skills but the biggest influence it had was making me aware of web standards and web accessibility.

7. 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 started learning web design with Dreamweaver and Tables so the industry has changed enormously since I first started! Most web designers now straddle both the design and coding world with knowledge of both design and style and front end technologies like CSS, JQuery and Ajax.

It has without a doubt been a positive change, with standards-based design and development now best practice, many designers now incorporate user testing, validation and accessibility analysis into their process.

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

While I love Adobe Photoshop and it is the design application of choice for me personally I have to say my Moleskine notebook is my favorite tool to aid in the design of a site. Due to the fact most of the designs I work on start out as a brainstorming session and then a sketch, all of this preliminary work is done in my Moleskine notebook. I sketch out User Interfaces and site structures. This work is then taken into Photoshop to work on the next stage in wireframing and eventually the actual design.

9. Have your experiences in the print industry helped you to become a web designer?

I was a web designer before I was a print designer so I straddle the two mediums quite comfortably although my work is now nearly entirely web based. Great print design usually means an excellent use of typography. This was one of the areas I improved upon most while working as a graphic designer. My appreciation and skill with type is something I can attribute to my time spent working within a printing company.

10. Tell us more about the projects you are currently involved in including CSSLoaf and Theme Thursday? Do you own and operate both of these sites? If so, why did you decide to work on each project?

I own and will be operating the Theme Thursday website which is due to launch in two weeks, as well as managing the Theme Thursday event and twitter account. It was borne out of an idea I had on Twitter to gather resources and links on a new theme on a particular day, as Twitter is so fast paced and sprawling. It means there is a focused set of content each fortnight on a unique theme chosen by those on Twitter, at the moment it has over 600 followers after just a few themes. The site will help it to grow and develop as well as being a real aid to those interested in any of the themes each month.

I’ve been running CSS Loaf for around a year now, it’s been a superb way to see inspiration on a daily basis and to showcase the work of a lot of talented individuals and companies. CSS Loaf was the first side project I took on and it’s been a really enjoyable experience in terms of managing and maintaining it and without much promotion it has a healthy number of RSS subscribers and followers on Twitter. It takes around 15 minutes a day to manage so the time commitment is minimal and as the owner of a design gallery I tend to see a lot of the websites before they hit the mainstream which is great.

I enjoy working on projects which are not client related as it lets me experiment and work at my own pace as well as putting some of creative energy into projects that build up my name and brand. I also have plans for another two projects which I’m currently working on as I tend to have a constant stream of ideas.

11. In your web design studio, Postscript5, explain your approach towards wire framing and prototyping for clients? What can they expect from this process? How does it help you design and put together better websites?

Wireframing is an essential step in my design process. It’s a tool I incorporate on projects as it allows for rapid prototyping and helps both myself and the client to pinpoint any potential problems. I also find it invaluable on projects to have a visual representation of content, hierarchy and layout.

One the initial research and discovery phase has been completed I create sketches (using my trusty Moleskine) of the layout which are turned into wireframes (usually in Photoshop first, using the grey-box method) for review and approval before the actual design process begins.

The wireframe itself gives a strategic view of the positioning of elements within the layout and shows how the content will flow on the page. It’s an important step in determining the placement of content, function and navigation. It really acts as the blueprint for the content, design and construction work that comes later.

By using wireframes I find the entire design process is much smoother and more efficient. I know by talking with my clients that it is a step in the process they have come to appreciate because it makes for a more efficient project.