Spicy Web Designer Interview with Erwin Hines

Erwin Hines is a web designer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States. He has recently graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design. He has only been designing for the web for the past year and has background in Graphic Design has allowed him to create some amazing websites. He is definitely one up and coming web and graphic design to watch for and his work shows it.

1. How did you get started in web design?

Well I got started really out of necessity, I was taking a portfolio class my 9th quarter in college and we had to develop a personal marketing package which included a portfolio website. When we got the assignment I was so happy because even though I had designed little sites before, they never looked good. So from there I just pushed myself.

2. When did you start designing websites?

It has not been that long now, about a year.

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

The biggest challenges for me are all the ones that come with just being new to the web game.

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?

Although I am in the process of learning how to code, I have not used coding on my portfolio site, I created it all in flash using the time-line.

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

I am still a student, for about one more week, at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. This school has challenged me and I can truly say that without them I would not be the designer I am.

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?

Even though I have only been designing for less than a year, the growth within web design has been amazing. Web sites have gone from being flat and lifeless to virtual stores that take on a life of their own.

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

I like to use Illustrator, Photoshop and Flash

8. I see that you also you are into designing for fashion, illustration and photography.  How do understanding and mastering these mediums help you with web design?

All my life I have had a love for design and the way in which it echoes the thoughts and feelings of culture. I use fashion, illustration and photography as ways to study culture and to more freely speak on what is happening in our world. This helps me with my other design like print, identity and web because it acts as research, visual inspiration and sometimes even the thumbnails.