Spicy Web Designer Interview with Colin Oakes

Colin Oakes is a web designer in Elora, Ontario, Canada. He’s been designing websites since he started back in high school and has been learning new techniques and technologies ever since. Recently, Colin graduated from Georgian College from their Graphic Design Program in 2007 and has been pursuing web design professionally ever since.

1. How did you first get involved in designing websites? When did you build your first website?

I first got involved in design back in high school around grade 9 just messing around with Photoshop. I would design logos and posters for bands and friends. I think the first sites I did were just basic HTML table layouts for my grade 10 web design class. After that I created site designs for my own band and other bands in the area.

2. When you are designing a website for a project what is the most important phase to you to creating a successful web design project?

I would say that planning a site is the most important phase when I am making a web site. The better a site is laid out and content in place the smother the whole process goes. Having a site map that is approved helps a lot too. But as web designers we always have to be flexible. Most sites never follow the same path; every client is a little different.

3. Where did you go to school or are you self taught? And, do you think that your particular back ground puts you at an advantage in web design and why do you feel this way?

I originally learned HTML back in high school in grade 9 or 10. After high school I went to Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario. I graduated from the 3yr Graphic Design program and received my diploma in 2007. I took a few web programs in college ranging from basic Dreamweaver to simple Flash. About a month after graduating I was hired on at Digital Chaos Inc. located in the little town of Elora, Ontario. I have been there now for a year and half and over that period my boss has taught me a lot about HTML, CSS, Flash as well as how to customizing CMS systems and Shopping Cart Systems.

I think that having a Graphic Design back ground has helped a great deal with site layout and site creation. Where I work, we do a lot of sites for design firms that need developers so it helps a lot with communication with them. Also web design ties in with marketing and advertising so it is great to have learned about that from my graphic design background.

4. What are 5 things that you want people to know about you and your web design business?

1. Web Design is a passion, not a job.
2. I enjoy making user experiences that can be seen around the world by any one at any time.
3. Accessibility and SEO is part of web design not a choice.
4. I love creating and building every new site has its challenges, so I am always learning.
5. The online web community is great. If it was not for them I don’t know what I would do.

5. What is the biggest challenge that you’ve faced on a web design project?

Probably the biggest challenge so far was learning tables layouts and figuring out how to make them work in IE6.

6. Is there a web technology that you couldn’t live without? Which one and why?

I would definitely not be able to live without CSS. Having the ability to use CSS makes the whole development process go a lot smoother.

7. How do you usually price out your web design work for clients?

It completely depends on features and budget. As well as if they have a site design already or not.