Veerle Pieters is a web designer from Deinze, Belgium. She has been designing for the web since 1995 and hasn’t looked back since. With her initial background in graphic design and print before she was ever involved in web design this has given her a well rounded education as to what makes design truly great and it shows through her work.

1. How did you start designing websites and did your education influence your choice to become a designer?

My interest in the Internet was caused by a paid support company that always said “I’ll look on the Internet to see if new drivers are available”. That’s when I first got my 14.400 modem and an Internet account. A long time ago, Netscape 1 wasn’t even out yet. When that happened, and you could start using images, I created my first site for a radio station. My education didn’t have any influence, because the Internet wasn’t there yet

2. How do you usually find new clients these days? (Through agencies, word of mouth or your website?)

Most of our clients find me instead, and a big part of it is through word of mouth, still one of the best ways to get work.

3. What is your approach for scoping out a new client when you are approached by them?

My approach is pretty simple. I listen to who is talking to me, and see if there is a click between the two of us, and if the project is interesting. Those two are usually my deciding factor if I will take on the project.

4. Do you think that “Web Designer” is a fitting title for what it is that you do and the service that you provide?

I don’t pay much attention to titles but “Web Designer” isn’t a fitting title if you take semantics into account. My skill set is broader, because I also do print, logo design, illustrations, GUI design, etc… To be honest I’m not sure what my title really is, I guess graphic/web designer.

5. Do you ever work with any other freelance web designers and if so can you name a few of them?

I have worked with a bunch of freelancers over the years, but my absolute favorit is Mark Bixby (http://www.markbixby.com). Sadly no longer freelance, because he was seduced to come work at Facebook

6. How important is SEO to your clients? Do you design with that in mind? And what does good SEO mean to you?

Some clients think about it and others I don’t know. Not specifically, but I always try to design every site to be as accessible as possible so that means the basics are there to have a good SEO.

7. How do you usually price a project for prospective clients? Are you picky when choosing to work with a client?

Most of the time I price projects based on the wireframes and the amount of time I think I’ll spend on it. There isn’t an exact science that works every time. You could say that I am picky as I mentioned earlier. It has to click with the person behind the company.

8. Where do you gain inspiration for the web design work that you create?

Usually in offline things, that could be books, magazines, nature, objects, architecture etc. I don’t browse online galleries and such, because they usually create the opposite and I become overwhelmed and can’t create.

9. When working on a new web design or concept design is there a certain type of music that you listen to? Do you design in silence or need a little background noise?

I only listen to music when I am designing and not when I’m coding because in that situation I need silence so I can concentrate. When designing, my favorite music is soul/funky/chill house.

10. Is there a certain art period or movement that influences the work that you design?

I don’t think there isn’t any specific art period or movement that is reflected in the work I do. I’m fascinated by Swiss design and that was a source of inspiration for our new www.duoh.com Web site but it’s not this fascination reflects in all the work I do. It’s my intention to be as diverse as possible

11. What are some of your favorite things in this world? (Not necessarily related to web design)

The most important one is being happy in what you do and I am lucky enough to wake up every morning and love to go work each day. Music is certainly among them too, good weather and good health and after that the goodies and gadgets that I can work on.