Aimee Drysdale is a web designer who incorporates photography and graphic design in her work from Virginia in the United States. She studied Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and majored in Fine Arts in Visual Communication Design from which she recently graduated in 2009. Aimee’s work has been featured on a number of sites and she has won a number of awards which have helped her further her career in the visual communication and graphic design field. She designed her first website in 2008 and has recently started to teach herself PHP, CSS & HTML.
1. How did you get started in web design?
I started designing websites in my User Experience for the Web class at Virginia Tech.
2. When did you start designing websites?
My first website design was completed in 2008.
3. What are the biggest challenges that you face in web design currently?
Finding the perfect balance between user experience and good design aesthetic.
4. Do you ever refer to yourself as a Front-end developer or a web designer? Do you code any of the web sites that you design currently? If so, what language(s) do you code in?
I have never referred to myself as either a Front-end developer or web designer. I have recently started teaching myself PHP, CSS, & HTML. I completely redesigned my personal portfolio website and had Lynn Cummings develop it. I want to be able to make changes to my own site, which will hopefully lead to a long term career of web design and development.
5. Where did you go to school and has it helped you become a better web design professional?
The School of Visual Arts at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. They taught us a lot about typography and design techniques, but not so much for the web. Though, the design education I was provided with definitely helps me with my layout skills.
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?
Adding social networks and blogs to websites has become much more popular as a tool for marketing. I think this is a great way for companies to promote themselves and enhance their networking.
7. What are your favorite tools to use when designing a web project? Why are they your favorite tools?
I have designed in both Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, but will probably stick to Photoshop in the long run. Photoshop allows you to create layers for different sections of the website, which helps the programming end go a lot faster.
8. How does your eye for photography help you when laying out a web design project?
My photographic education and background has helped me to create enticing compositions when designing web projects.
9. I see that you’ve been given a number of awards and accolades over your years of work in web and graphic design. Do you feel that this has helped you create a successful career for yourself? If so, how has it help and if not please explain why not?
My awards and accomplishments thus far have only led to independent design contracts. I am currently in the process of finding a full time advertising job when I graduate in the middle of May!
10. One final question, Mac or PC? And, why?
Mac. The platform is much more intuitive, the technical support is there, and it’s just much easier on the eyes!
