Spicy Web Designer Interview with Bruno Abrantes

Bruno Abrantes is a web designer from Aveiro in Portugal. He has been designing websites since 2001 and has learned to craft websites ever since. Bruno studied New Communication Technologies at the University of Aveiro and most recently decided to go back for a Masters in Multimedia Communication from the same school. As well as designing, he also codes in PHP, JavaScript, AJAX and even Ruby on Rails occasionally.

1. How did you get started in web design?

I think it was back in 2001, when I was still in high-school, and I got interested in designing a personal website. Two years later I was getting into Flash, and soon after that, in 2004, I enrolled in a University Course. I guess you can say 2004 was when I really got serious about Web Design.

2. When did you start designing websites?

If you consider “design” as hacking up some HTML on Frontpage, then I started way back in 2001. The first site I built was awfully corny, what with all the crazy patterns, spinning GIFs and usage of frames. If you know what to look for, I bet you can still find it online – and that’s as far as I’ll go, if you know what I mean.

3. What are the biggest challenges that you face in web design currently?

You’ve probably heard about this one a million times, but that’s probably because it’s such a big issue. Supporting Internet Explorer, particularly versions 6 and earlier, is such a day-to-day struggle. It’s more than just fixing bugs, it’s the creative stranglehold the browser enforces. I end up having to jump through hoops to accomplish things I take for granted in other browsers. Related to Internet Explorer, though not exclusive, is the difficulty of selling my clients and superiors the idea of Progressive Enhancement. Most people just don’t tolerate that their site doesn’t look pixel perfect in every browser, and that just downright gets to me.

4. Do you code on any of your web design projects? And if so, do you consider yourself a “Front-End Coder”? Why or Why Not?

My main area of expertise is actually Front-End coding, and on every single web design project I’ve done I hand-coded the XHTML/CSS and JavaScript (aside from obviously using JavaScript libraries).

When it comes to Back-End coding though, it depends whether I’m freelancing (as a one-man team) or integrated in a team. Currently I’m working with a team, and due to the presence of a much more talented Back-End programmer, I’m not as involved in that part of the development process.

However, I think I can pull my own weight using PHP or Ruby on Rails, and I try to learn a little more developing magic every day.

5. Where did you go to school and has it helped you become a better web designer?

I graduated from New Communication Technologies at the University of Aveiro (http://www.ua.pt if you want to include a link) and am also currently getting a Master’s Degree in Multimedia Communication at the same school. I can honestly say that a formal education vastly improved my skills. If not for the teaching itself (I was taught web design using tables, the horror!), what I value the most is the opportunity to get involved in hands-on projects as well as developing an aesthetic sensibility. Taking the Master’s Degree meant getting involved in a huge project which interested me a lot, so that was an opportunity I just couldn’t let slip by.

6. Since you first started how has the web design industry changed? Has it changed for the better? If so, how? If not, please explain?

When I woke up to the Web Design world, the Standards Revolution was gaining significant traction. I think a wider adoption of Web Standards as well as some leaps in browser technology have allowed Web Designers to better express themselves without having to resort to Flash. This means we can now design beautiful websites while keeping usability and accessibility at the top of the priority list. Approaches to Rapid Web Development such as Agile have also greatly contributed to the success and popularity the Web enjoys nowadays.

7. What are your favorite tools to use when designing a website? Why are they your favorite tools?

First off, Adobe Photoshop. I know that’s predictable, but it’s where about 90% of my Web Design projects really take off. Once I’m happy with a base layout, I’ll use the awesome Coda to set up a website and start hacking away at code. I choose Coda because most of the tools I need are integrated in one environment, such as FTP, SSH, a browser, etc. The only thing I don’t use Coda for is serious CSS editing and heavy programming. For those I’ll use CSSEdit and Textmate, respectively. Firefox also plays a big part in my development process, mostly because of plugins such as Firebug and Web Developer Toolbar, both of which are very useful for making on-the-fly changes to your CSS and to test the site in different conditions and environments.