Spicy Web Designer Interview with Sam Wilson from Story Pixel

Sam Wilson is a web designer from Lexington, Kentucky in the United States. He first got interested in web design after attending a lecture where an entrepreneur was talking about his online business. Since early 2007 he has been designing websites and building his brand, “Story Pixel”. Sam originally started off studying Software Engineering and Mathematics. He is highly skilled in Flash, Actionscripting and CSS and his work goes to show it.

1. How did you get started in web design?

During a lecture, an entrepreneur spoke to us about his Web-based business, Inspired by his vision and convinced that his company was destined for millions in VC funding, I accepted a Flash position at this (shortly bankrupt) company.

2. When did you start designing websites?

My first major CSS site was in early 2007 to promote my freelance brand Story Pixel. This personal project opened my eyes to the power of CSS.

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

Taking the emphasis from my whereabouts to the quality of my work in the minds of potential clients is an ongoing challenge.

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

Yes, I like hand-coding things. It really feels like making art when you are doing it by hand. I like CSS and Ruby on Rails supporting my markup for personal projects and applications. For my site, I used ExpressionEngine which I also leverage sometimes for simple blog projects to be updated by nontechnical people. For Flash, I use ActionScript 3.

5. I wanted to ask if and where you studied at college or university, what you studied and ask 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 studied Software Engineering and Mathematics after determining I wanted programming skills to make things on the Web. Since entering the workforce, I have grown as a designer through practice and observation. Perhaps as a result of my studies, I see function and design as different aspects of the same challenge. I use stories to balance these two aspects and inject personality which I feel enriches the user experience.

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

Currently I use too many. I like TextMate (for Ruby), Coda (for XHTML), and CSSEdit (for CSS). For design, I use Photoshop, Illustrator, and my Moleskine sketchbook to develop design ideas. For planning/wireframes I like OmniGraffle and my sketchbook. For flash coding, an Eclipse plug-in called FDT makes development much easier. Eventually I wish to evolve into using Vim for coding.

7. Would you consider yourself an expert when it comes to flash?

Hrrm, since I associate expertise with arrogance, I never wish to regard myself as an expert in anything. I instead strive to be inspired and let things go from there. I do feel I’m competent and still interested in appropriate applications of the technology (which are rare).