Spicy Web Designer Interview with Albert Lo

Albert Lo is a web designer from Hertfordshire, UK who specializes in “creating websites with visual flair that are user friendly”. Albert has always had an artistic background and received his education at De Montfort University studying Multimedia Computing and since then he has been designing some amazing user interfaces and websites

1. How did you first start out in web design?

I’ve always had a artistic background using traditional mediums of paints and pencils, having this skill I needed to find a course at university. My parents didn’t want me to study fine art or anything to do with art and design as they thought I wouldn’t make any money when I graduated. I flicked through numerous prospectuses and saw a course for Multimedia Computing which had elements of HCI and design in the modules; I thought it was a good compromise. Having chosen this course it has allowed me to diversity and choose a path into web design by knowing which areas I liked and hated during the course.

2. What did you study in school and has it helped you prepare for your career as a web designer?

I studied Multimedia Computing at De Montfort University for 4 years and done a Sandwich degree which meant that I had to do 1 year working in industry. I think the year I spent working really helped to get my foot through the door for my first job in the New Media field and allowed me to realize what I wanted and didn’t want from a job. I worked as an intranet developer for a large department store in the UK, without this experience I think I would have struggled finding my first role. It’s the classic, how can I gain experience if no one is willing to give me any experience scenario.

Studying for a career path doesn’t really compare to working for real. I think the experience counts for more in my opinion but it does allow you explore different avenues and get some of the theory nailed.

3. How do your clients and potential clients find you to hire you? Advertising? Word of Mouth? Agencies?

I think it’s more the other way around at the moment having recently set up as a Limited company and decide to go freelance/contracting. It feels like a whole new ball game trying to prove yourself as a contractor/freelancer as people are more interested in who you have worked for while contracting, having big agency experience really helps you get ahead of the pack I’ve found.

I think there are two sides to this; marketing yourself for recruitment agencies, this means sending emails to them and applying for jobs. Convincing them you are the right person for the job and having to battle with others for 1 role.

The other side is self marketing, having a website definitely helps showing your best work. Submitting to the various css galleries, having an up to date Linkedin account and also using the power of Twitter allows potential clients find me, every hot/warm lead can lead to much more.

4. Do you feel that you have competition in the web design business?

I use to definitely think so, but less so now. The web design community is so friendly, I don’t really see others as competition in terms of work as such, it’s all about getting along with others and you never know doors it can open.

Design is so hard to quantify and it’s so subjective. Some people might love the work and some people won’t. I shouldn’t think I have competition in terms of talent but this mindset allows me to personally raise the bar on my own work. I’m always amazed by other peoples work and want to be on that level or higher.

5. Where do you find inspiration for the web design / UI design that you create?

My inspiration comes from numerous places, I find taking a break and going on holiday to a different culture provides fresh ideas, it’s an expensive way to find inspiration but when you go on holiday make the most of it, take a small sketch pad or take a camera to record ideas etc for future reference.

I find going to the supermarket and book stores a fantastic source of inspiration to look at food packaging and book cover designs which could be used for the web. I love going to large cities for inspiration, the architecture and the buzz really helps.

I keep up to date with what’s happening in the industry by subscribing to numerous blogs and tutorial sites, I also try and find time to listen to a couple of design podcasts namely Boagworld and Rissington podcast and I also subscribe to a few magazines (.net, Computer Arts and Projects) to keep the juices flowing monthly. These can be good starting points for inspiration.

6. Do you think it’s important to meet face-to-face with clients to truly understand the goals of their business?

If its geographically possible and practical then most definitely meet clients face-to-face, first impressions count and I think it’s really important if you want to build a long term relationship with the client then the clients need to get to know you better and visa versa. There’s nothing worse than not getting along with a client if your personalities clash. I think there is only so much that an email or creative brief can convey about the business or brief. Meeting clients face to face allow you to see how passionate they are about their business and can therefore understand their goals better. It also allows the client to your personality.

7. When did you first know that web design and user interface design was an area you wanted to specialize in?

When I knew I didn’t have a coding mindset, when it would take me ages to figure something out that was fairly easy to code. I don’t think my mind is suited to pure development work. I think it’s better to play to your strengths and concentrate on something you enjoy and know you are ok at. Better to be a master of one than a jack of all trades. Saying that, I think there’s a definite advantage of sitting on the fence and knowing about development and design equally. It allows you to get along with developers a lot better.