Spicy Web Designer Interview with Rolf Johansson

Rolf Johansson is a web designer from Burlington (from my hometown), Ontario in Canada. He started designing websites when he was back in university while majoring in political science. After working with KPMG for a while learning about various web technologies, Rolf decided to eventually make the leap into freelance web design which he currently does full time.

1. How did you first get started in web design?

I started back in university, around 1996.  I was actually majoring in Political Science, but I was looking for ways to make a few extra bucks.  I had learned about the world wide web around the same time, and thought it was pretty ground-breaking that pretty much anyone could ‘publish’ nice-looking content.  I also noticed that the faculty and my department didn’t have a web presence, so I convinced the dean that it was necessary for them.

Having decided upon graduation that politics wasn’t for me (did I just waste 4 years of my life?), I applied for a short-term internship at KPMG Canada… they were looking for a ‘web-guy’ who could design an intranet for the Human Resources group.  One thing led to another and I’ve been involved with the web in one way or another ever since.

I have to say that I was very lucky in that I was hired by a very forward thinking person who realized the value of the link between the web and a traditional business function like HR.

2. How did you make the move from human resources to web design?

Well, I really never actually made the jump ‘from’ HR to web design.  I guess you can say that they went hand-in-hand early on.  For the first 5 years of my career, pretty much all of my web experience was related to supporting the Human Resources function (intranets, basic collaboration, job boards, request forms, HRIS).  It was really a great experience looking back because I learned a great deal about business processes, organizational politics, power, human nature and how to make technology support all of that – not the other way around.

I formally made the jump out of HR when I joined the technology group at KPMG (first in Canada, then globally).  When I joined KPMG Global, I worked exclusively on their proprietary web-based Global Knowledge Sharing Tool for a few years.

3. How long have you been doing freelance web design?

I’ve been a freelancer for about 3 years now.  I had moved around in the Corporate world doing other things like Project Management and Corporate Communications, but after my 2nd child was born, my wife and I decided that someone should stay home with the kids.  I jumped at the chance.

I had always dreamed of running my own business, and this looked like the perfect opportunity to ‘ease’ into freelancing.  I started by working about 2 days a week while the kids went to pre-school, and I’ve gradually added more time to my work schedule as the kids have become more independent.  I’d have to say this year will probably be very close to full-time freelancing (both kids are in school now).

Looking back, it was a nice approach to take.  It was low-risk for us (my wife has been the major bread-winner), and I’ve been able to ease into the Freelancing thing.

4. How do you usually price your web design projects?

I almost always price by the project.  I’m big into fairness and treating clients well.  By pricing on a project basis, I feel that all the cards are on the table up-front, and there are no surprises for the client.  They appreciate the fact that they can set their budgets.  It’s working well so far.

The big challenge when I first started was making sure that I was pricing projects in a way that was fair to me.  I’m sure I underpriced a few projects early on when I didn’t really know what it would take to build something.  After 3 years though, I’m getting much better at it.

5. Where do you get your inspiration to design websites?

My main inspiration comes from other websites.  I don’t set out to copy, but I do look at other sites for inspiration on tone, structure, overall feel, technology…

The client’s existing identity and objectives, of course, plays a big role in terms of how a site develops visually and functionally.  I’m also big into design magazines.  I think print design can bridge over to web design in many ways.  I think we’re seeing that more and more in websites these days.

6. How do your clients usually find you? Through word of mouth? Agencies? Or
something else?

Referrals for me are everything.  You cannot get a better lead than a referral from an existing client.  That’s why my absolute, number one, main priority is to treat my clients well.  Not only is it the right thing to do (it helps me sleep at night), but you cannot replace the long-term benefits that come out of this.

I have had a couple of cold calls – where I was contacted – which have turned into very rewarding client relationships, but these are definitely in the minority.  Referrals from existing clients have certainly driven my business so far.

7. Do you design exclusively using ExpressionEngine? Or do you use other CMS
systems to design for?  I love using wordpress myself.

Expression Engine is my only CMS at the moment.  I had looked at WordPress early on, but I was seduced by EllisLab’s outstanding support.  They are definitely second to none.  I was also influenced by the fact that a few web designers that I look up to (Veerle is one of them) use Expression Engine and recommend it.  I love working with EE because it’s very flexible, and allows me to offer nearly anything to my clients (i.e. wiki, discussion forums, e-commerce), plus traditional content publishing capabilities.

I will probably look at another CMS or two in the near future, just to broaden my skill-set.  Wordpress will be one of them for sure.  I’m also on the lookout for a good e-commerce tool for small/medium sized businesses.  Magento is on the radar, but if you know of anything else, I’m all ears.

8.  What tools can you not work without when designing a web design project?

I cannot live without the following:

1. My Mac – which allows me to sit in front of a computer for hours and still keep me feeling happy
2. Coda – for all my html, scripting, etc…
3. Fireworks (yes, Fireworks) – I’m not a graphic designer – I’ve found it to fit the bill for me, and the price is right!
4. Firebug (for Firefox) – for finding all my mistakes that would otherwise drive me crazy
5. Basecamp – for keeping clients more than up-to-date on the progress of projects
6. iTunes – to keep me focused
7. My Guitar – to keep the creative juices flowing