An interview with… Web Designer, Lindsay Brewer
Let’s take a break from our busy day at the office and learn more about our Lead Creative; Web Designer Lindsay Brewer.
Lindsay, thanks for taking time out of your day to answer a few questions; firstly please tell us who you are and what role you play for KOOK?
Well, I’m known as Linz to my friends and I’m a web designer and front-end developer originally from the UK, now living on the beautiful Sunshine Coast. I’ve been involved in web design in one way or another for the last 13 years or so (shhh…now I’m showing my age) and have been designing websites for Kook for the past 2 years. I am a passionate about keeping abreast of new technologies and pushing this into web design in all forms especially HTML5 & CSS3.
20 seconds or less to describe your average day?
1st cup of tea followed by: Facebook, breakfast, school run, emails, 2nd cup of tea, morning meeting, Photoshop, front-end coding, 3rd cup of tea, emails, Google, Illustrator, Photoshop, Adwords, 4th cup of tea maybe a bit more front-end coding then: School run, bike ride, dinner, Facebook & RELAX!
How you got started in web design? Why did you choose this direction?
In the late nineties I was a programmer managing an IBM AS400 system (big computer the size of a walk-in-robe), when the web started really taking off – I saw my chance to jump ship and undertook a traineeship as a web designer. I soon realised that design came easier to me than RPG programming and have since deepened my studies in this area & continued to grow passionately as a graphic designer.
Please, tell us about the trends that characterise the web of 2011? What will be popular in 2012?
2011 was characterized with the advent of HTML5 and CSS3 and intensive use of mobile, where web designers have started to adapt for mobile and tablet. I think in 2012 we will see continued rapid growth in online shopping via mobile devices & we’ll see more websites re-inventing themselves using HTML5 and CSS3.
What is your opinion about HTML55 & CSS3? How quickly will these technologies be widely used.
Unfortunately, cross-browser support (Internet Explorer) is and always will be a problem for web designers, with IE slower to support HTML5 and CSS3 and many users reluctant or unable to upgrade to a more compliant browser. I am hoping that 2012 will see a growth in users upgrading to IE9, Chrome, Safari etc…so that we can make better websites for our clients!
What are the main tools of your trade?
My pencil & sketchpad, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, a computer (obviously) & music (vital part of the creative process).
What tips would you give a potential client when preparing a design brief?
The biggest tips I could give is research & preparation. Research your likes & dislikes with regards to industry competitor websites and branding. Prepare any brand material you have and pass it to us in a digital format: this can be photos, logos, promotional material, business cards etc. The more information you give us the easier it makes our job. I’d suggest filling in our project planner as a guide to what sort of information we require.
What advice would you offer to the young web designers? How to get started? Where to find inspiration?
I recommend to practice, practice and then practice some more. There are many free resources and tutorials on the web that can help beginners and experts alike. Subscribe to twitter and blogs such as Web Design Ledger, read industry magazines like .Net magazine where articles from world-leading designers and industry experts will get you inspired. Many web design vacancies are calling for multi-talented professionals so it’s as much about your HTML, CSS & JavaScript abilities as your graphic design skills. You need to be a good all-rounder.
What do you do to un-wind?
Enjoy the outdoor lifestyle of the Sunshine Coast with my family & friends. Exercising or just relaxing at the beach.
