Phillip Lovelace (www.pixelflips.com) is a web designer and front-end developer who is originally from the USA but currently works abroad in Berlin, Germany. Phillip was first introduced to web design back in high school and it didn’t turn into his full-time job until he started with a startup company in 2002 when he got in as a sales and online marketing person and found out that online marketing was more to his liking and he’s been hooked every since. He considers himself more of a “Self Taught” web designer and that only spurs him on further to keep learning, experimenting and creating when it comes to web design.

1. How did you get started in web design?

I was introduced to web design when I was in high school although I didn’t actually become a full time designer until some years later. My high school offered a Graphic Arts class which mainly focused on print design but during the course there was a small introduction to web design (keep in mind this is back around 1996) and I was instantly hooked.

I found web design to be a great creative outlet and something that I really enjoyed doing. Little did I know that what started off as more or less a hobby would lead to an actual “career”.

2. When did you start designing websites?

I started designing websites once I landed my first job at a start-up company back in 2002. Initially I was hired for sales and online marketing but I quickly figured out that sales just wasn’t my cup of tea and the online marketing was a bit more suitable.

Since I was familiar with graphics programs and knew a bit of HTML at the time, I found myself designing advertising banners and mini-sites for marketing purposes. This eventually led to working with the development team on designing sites more and more on a daily basis.

It was after I left my first web job that I really began to dig in and learn everything that I could about designing websites. I started with the basics of HTML and struggled with table based layouts. This was around the time that web standards were making their much needed debut on to the scene and I instantly realized the benefits. This led to a lot of my time being spent learning even more and included things such as XHTML and moving from table based layouts to using CSS to separate content from presentation.

The rest is pretty much history! I now spend my days and a lot of my nights designing and working with websites and I hope that I can continue to learn and move myself forward in the industry that I so much enjoy being a part of.

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

I would have to say that browser inconsistencies and time are the biggest challenges I face right now. Even though browsers have improved greatly over the years and are getting better all the time, I find myself spending more time than I feel is needed squashing minor bugs due to the overall lack of standards and CSS support in older yet still popular browsers. (I bet you can guess which browser I am referring to that is the cause of most of the issues.)

Time is also a great challenge these days. First off because clients/co-workers usually want the greatest site on earth with all the bells and whistles, and of course they want it yesterday and sometimes without clear requirements.

Secondly, I am also a new father and this has changed my overall work process and requires a bit more time management. Working from a home office with a toddler around is becoming a work of art, but something I am glad I am able to do.

4. Why do you refer to yourself as a Front-end developer over calling yourself a web designer?  Is it a way to brand yourself to your clients?

I actually refer to myself as both and not really as a way to brand myself to clients. I tend to separate my rolls as designer and front-end developer even though they go hand in hand or could be considered the same. Once requirements are understood and the actual design process begins I tend to break it down in to two categories.

Design – This is where I will put on some chill relaxed music and open up a blank canvas and start experimenting with color, layouts, and typography. I tend to only focus on the overall design concepts until it’s just right and then I will jump to the next step.

Front-end Development – At certain times I actually enjoy using a text editor more than designing graphics. I usually like to have more upbeat music playing while writing XHTML/CSS which is the total opposite from when I am working on graphic mock-ups.

So, even though I consider them one in the same, I go about the process of each with a very different approach. As far as clients are concerned it just depends on the current status of my workflow as to which I call myself.

5. Where did you go to school and has it helped you become a better web designer/front-end developer?

I have received no formal training in web design from a university or college. Although I have had graphic arts classes in the past, most of my skills have been self taught and/or acquired through my experience working in the trenches of web design.

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?

The web is always changing and of course it has completely changed since way back in the days when I was first introduced. The ease in which we can connect, interact, and collaborate with others in the industry is mind blowing and something I didn’t imagine just 5 or so years ago.

Also the introduction of standards based web design is something that I feel has changed the industry in a big way and is helping to improve the web overall.

I would definitely have to say the industry has changed and only in a good way. I only hope it continues down the same path and gets even better!

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

My favorite tools are pretty standard and while I use a few I have a new one that I am really enjoying.

• Photoshop
• Fireworks
• Text Editor (Currently use Dreamweaver but notepad would do.)
• Moleskine (for sketches and jotting down ideas)

Last but not least would have to be my MX Revolution mouse by Logitech. I would have to highly recommend it to anyone. The Hyper-fast Scrolling and overall precision have made it a great tool that I use every day.

Maleika Attawel is a web designer from Hamburg, Germany who specializes in front-end design. This self taught web designer is a true master of the front-end with a strong understanding of typography, color theories, CSS, HTML, JavaScript, website usability and much more. She runs a studio called “Rockatee Design” which he runs as a one-person web design studio. She has a varied past including studying English literature, Latin and Greek philology which has only influenced her work with more richness and creativity making her a much sought after web designer.

1. I see that most of your skills come from being “self taught”.  Do you think that “self taught” web designers offer a better service to their clients?

The web is still very young and – by and large – there are still very few universities/academies that offer solid education for web designers.

I remember, a few years ago I was looking to apply to educational institutes that offered web design and the possibilities were painfully meager then.

The truth is, most web designers are self-taught by a large margin, having either a background in graphic design, print design, programming or come from an entirely, non-related field.

So I believe that in terms of the quality of the service a web designer offers is more related to a web designer’s general social attitude and understanding of his profession which does cover a wide spectrum of knowledge, from classic and modern design theories, typography, color theories, CSS, HTML, JavaScript, CMSs, website usability, accessibility, psychological factors, social skills, up to business & marketing matters. In the end, it boils down to one’s motivation and passion in learning and the understanding that you can never quit learning, day in and day out. Whether you are self-taught or formally trained might often be of secondary importance in this field and in this time.

2. When did you design your first website? What inspired you to begin designing websites?

I’ve always been someone who took great passion in drawing, sketching and writing up worlds that were made of the abstract, worlds that existed within my head. I’m a fantasist by nature and, while I have studied subjects at “Uni” that in no shape or form reflect on creativity, I’ve never really ignored my passion for the beauty that is art and architecture.

In the year of 2000, I found great admiration for the American band by the name of Pearl Jam. It is this quite intense marveling at the band’s music that enticed me into making the decision to start an International forum. Having had had no knowledge in any which way on how to run a forum, even less how to design and setup such a system, I was forced to roll up my sleeves and read up on how it was done. Of course, I was aware of the options such as using pre-made designs and the like, but I didn’t want that. I thought it was important to breathe passion and life into it and giving it a personality. The research that followed peaked my interest in the whole business of designing for the web.

After having been quite successful with the forum – the community comprised 15,000 members – my curiosity on whether I’d be equally successful in converting other people’s ideas into successful businesses/outlets, was immense. And that’s where I’m now…

3. How do you go about attracting new clients? Word of mouth? Agencies? Advertising?

This is quite embarrassing to say, but I have no strategy, no insider plan in acquiring new clients. 90% of the clients I currently have are from word of mouth. The other 10% come from having been featured on CSS/Web design showcases or other internet outlets.

4. Do you notice a difference between North American Web Designers and European Web Designers?

This is a very interesting question and I must admit, I have not given it much thought. But, from what I can tell, there is not much of a difference in terms of style since web designers are influenced globally. I strongly assume that I’m very wrong here, however.

5. How do you “Prototype” a solution and why is it important to do this?

Prototyping is an extremely important aspect of constructing the information architecture of a website. I have recently made it a habit to create simple, naked, prototypes of a website before proceeding with the visual design of a site. I construct the navigational elements; determine the site’s hierarchy, content placement for all pages, which gives me a good overview of the site’s functionality and usability. Basically, it’s a framework with a flowchart character to it, which makes it so much easier to understand where possible weaknesses may lie without being blinded by the visual design. Additionally, you gain the benefit of ironing out everything that is either not needed, superfluous, or not suitable, making the visual design part and thus the coding phase a lot easier, without having to fear that you’ve left something out and the like.

6. How big of an issue is the price of your web design projects when it comes to your clients?

By and large, the price matter has not been an issue for me. It may sometimes be an issue with prospective clients who may not know their own project’s scope exactly, or clients who have never before worked with a designer and are not aware of the cost factor. However, before accepting a new project, scope, objectives, and timeframe are discussed in detail leaving little to no questions open to either parties.

7. Asides from designing websites do you also offer coding services?

Yes, I do visual design and code in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, though I don’t offer a “coding only” service per se.