Spicy Web Designer Interview with Lisa Wilkinson

Lisa Wilkinson is a Web Designer from Kanata, Ontario in Canada. She is currently studying Interactive Multimedia and Design at Carleton University and has been designing for the last 4 years and is passionate about CSS design.

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

I’ve been interested in web design ever since I took a web development class in high school.  In 2006, I started the Interactive multimedia and Design program at Carleton University, which incorporates a fair amount of web design courses.

2. How long have you been designing websites?

I started designing websites about 4 years ago.

3. How do you generate most of your business as a web designer? Word of Mouth? Advertising? Agencies?

I started my own web design business on the side called DesignAbyss.  (www.designabyss.com). My business is mostly generated through word of mouth and advertising (flyers, business cards, online sites).

4. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a web designer?

My biggest challenge, to this day, is cross browser compatibility. Not only do you need to create a website to work in all major browsers, you need it to work properly in multiple versions of each browser because some people aren’t so quick when it comes to updates!

Another challenge was getting my business known by others and gaining a great reputation for it.  It was difficult for a small business like mine to compete with the big design companies who were already out there.

5. What is your favorite part of a web design project?

My favorite part is the creativity! I love how there are endless design possibilities when making a web site.  You cannot find two websites that look the same.

6. Has your education helped you to become a better web designer and if so, how has it helped?

Yes, my education has helped a great amount with both coding aspects and visual design aspects.  It was at university where I learned most of my CSS skills and basic concepts around Web 2.0.

7. How do you usually price your web design work for clients who are interested?

I would say my prices are generally cheaper than average. I price it based on number of pages and the complexity of the code.