Spicy Web Designer Interview with David Salvatori

David Salvatori is a 30 year old Web and 3D designer from Ancona, Italy. He originally got started in design back in 1992 as an aerosol artist and now he works part time for IKEA in Italy as a and web creative and “part” time as freelance web designer. David began designing for the web in 2002 using Action Scripting and says that in the first work that he product he wasn’t able to publish his work because he didn’t even have an internet connection at his home, at the time. His biggest skills are his abilities in 3D and motion design which you can see when you go to check out his portfolio but besides he definitely knows his way through websites as well.

1. How did you get started in web design?

I started doing design in 1992 when I did my first aerosol spray…Yes! I think everything come out from this time; web design is a consequence or another way to express yourself. A lot of aerosol artists that I knew are now very good web designers. From that time we learned skills about using fonts, proportions, styles, and messages and got really psyched everyday with breaking creativities. Ten years later, in 2002 after 3D and motion design, I approached to “timeline” Flash and in 2005 I started learning HTML.

2. When did you start designing websites?

I started in 2002 with Action Script. I remember that after I finished work on it I was not able to publish it (and honestly I didn’t even have an Internet connection at home).

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

1. Sitting and doing the job in 8 hours…
2. Having enough spare time to visit all the websites and have access to all the information I need to get inspired and improve my knowledge every day.
3. Spending my lunch break waiting until I get all the coding working just the way I want

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?

The more important the project, the more I code better for the project until its 100% complete. I don’t consider myself a coder at all, however when Pv3d’s (Papervision 3D) scripts work it’s just amazing, wow! But coding is a necessity to present some visual aspects of a project, so I guess I am a bit of a “Front-End Coder”.

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

In the 1990’s there weren’t any web design courses in Italy. I attended 2 university courses in communication and graphics but it didn’t help me a lot.

I consider myself as a “self-made” web designer. I learned my knowledge with e-learning and spending nights and days practicing everything that I could learn.

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?

Nowadays, the demand in web design has changed a lot and people have become more exigent and need web design services. People, everyday more addicted by web services and spend more time on web in general. Action Script 3 is strong…and the more time that passes the fewer people there are to create good products to satisfy the growing demand.

To the other side web markets like “Evanto” give you the tools for “one man show” freelancer web designers to improve in efficiency.

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

There is no doubt that the best tools are my double 21’ Apple Monitors and a clean desktop! It’s not a matter of which application to use; the important thing is to have always an overall vision for the project. I like OSX CSSEdit, Flash and DW4′s new tabs workflow.

8. How did you get started working with 3D design and rendering?

Well, I started working with 3D design since I wasn’t a good figures drawer. So, with 3D design I can give life to all my creativity and necessities.

I started working with Cinema 4D years ago. I don’t remember the version well but I think it was Cinema 4D 6. Every day, I was impressed from all the applications that had a whole world simulation inside. I’m also impressed from what you can do with external engine rendering systems like “Vray”.