Spicy Web Designer Interview with Anwar Sadath

Anwar Sadath is a web designer. Half way through college, Anwar, decided that going into web design was the right choice for him. For about the last 6 years he has been learning more and more about web design. Even though he says that programming was never his strong point he has developed his skills over time to code using jQuery to handle DOM manipulation, CSS and AJAX.

1.When did you get started designing websites? How long ago was that?

It was 6 years ago when I was halfway through college and I had to make a decision whether i should choose a career as “character animator” or “web designer”. I took the later and ever since I am happy being a web designer “<” “>” tags.

2. You talked to me about your love of jQuery earlier. Why do you prefer to work with this particular JavaScript library?

I am not very good at programming and the only thing tried in programming was validations. That’s when I happened to go through the jquery, the simplicity in which it handles DOM Manipulation, CSS Selectors and AJAX, impressed me a lot. Since then I choose jQuery as my favorite framework amongst all the web applications I did.

I use Vaakya as a replacement to PHP, since it’s a relatively new technology it has its limitation when comparing with PHP and its numerous web extensions, So the challenge was in creating a rich UI and better interaction. Thankfully, jQuery CSS selectors helped me in confronting these issues and give a much need visual appeal and interaction to the web applications I created.

3. What do you feel creates excellent usability on a website or web application?

I believe developing test prototypes through an iterative design approach can create the most useful and usable Web site / application. User interaction as well varies through the application pattern, so there is no such thing like a standard interface but it’s the iterative design process helps to substantially improve the usability.

The use of familiar formatting and navigation schemes makes it easier for users to learn and remember the layout of a site and this helps to a certain extend. I believe websites and applications should be designed to facilitate and encourage efficient and effective human-computer interactions

4. What are some web technologies that you could not live without?

CSS has created a world of good for web designers; it’s funny to remember when I used inline style markup during those old days. XHTML, jQuery, JavaScript, XML, SVG and Action Script were the ones which I really used a lot in my projects. As far as the tools are concerned Adobe Creative Suite is the one and only answer to all my design prayers.

5. What inspires you to create web designs the way that you do?

I carry a notebook—as most designers do—where i record creative ideas. It contains sketches of that brilliant design which never happens and it is in these babies, the larger designs evolve. The eighties retro style, music, movies, magazines has all been inspiring to me. “Deviantart” and “flickr” are inspirational sites where you get to see a lot of inspirational design from great designers.

6. What are some things that you want your clients to know about you when you become involved in a web design project?

Web Design is carried out in response to a need from the client and inevitably needs a lot of planning. The parameters for the site may not be clear the first time with the clients and with my creative ability and practical understanding I have to solve the design issues. Acquiring insights into the clients business is an important part of informing the client about the design process.

As a designer, I need to make a reasonably accurate assessment of the size and complexity of the job and give the clients a brief of the design process and what is the message that needs to be communicated.

The best thing about digital design is that it allows exploring endless variations of ideas and color themes where time is usually at a premium and decisions have to be made quickly.

7. Are you a formally educated (University or College Educated) or a self-taught web designer? Do you feel that your choice has made you a better web designer and given you the tools to succeed? Why or Why not?

It’s a mixture of both. Formal education gave me a know how on the technology aspect which later inspired me take up this career. The best thing about a self taught designer is the struggle initially to come up with rapid solutions. This, later on gained momentum coupled with industry standards and latest trends in web technologies.

I was in touch with other web designers where we exchanged ideas and new trends, all these designers came from a similar background so our network was vital for our growth as individuals.