Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Skype with Web Designer: Michael

During our Skype call, each student was responsible for asking a set of questions and to write a blog response to summarize what they learned. Here is our first blog about our Skype call with a web designer.  IMG_0841

Part 1: Marcus
On September 23, 2010, my web design class Skyped with a web designer named Michael. We started off our conversation with where he was located, which was Washington D.C. He told us the firm he worked for was a pr firm in downtown Washington D.C. His job description at the pr firm is lead designer and helping in advertising print where needed.

He got started with web design at the young age of 13 after he broke his leg one summer. His father bought him a laptop since he couldn’t very well go outside and play with his friends. He never imagined being a web designer and said, “No, I probably would have said something standard like a doctor, or lawyer or something.” Other technology jobs he has had are programming and front end development.

He helps run the creative end of web design. His field of specialty is web design with emphasis on user experience. He makes website so they can be easily navigated by users young and old. He gets most of his ideas from other people’s work and believes in the quote “All great designers steal.” You have to look at other people’s work who is better than you in the same field. The main program he uses is Photoshop. A few essential skills a web designer might need is communication skills with the clients, understanding their issues, and being on the same page working with them. Being able to work with the client is the most crucial skill. If you are able to understand what a person wants and you can work with a non-designer, have them tell you what they want and need, then turn it into something workable. That is a hard skill to come by.

Part 2: Jeff
His main clients are fortune five-hundred companies like Target whom he designs new websites for. He usually works from 60-65 hours per week: sometimes up to 90 hours. Michael works such long hours and late nights because he has very strict deadlines. In his profession, he works a lot with project managers and account directors in the firm. He is currently working on two websites. He is working on a website to teach technology to kids and a website for Target that promotes voting.

Part 3: Austin
In talking  to Michael, he had mentioned that to become a Web Designer you must never quit and always keep working to become a better designer. He also mentioned that it is very important that you go to school because if you do get laid off as a Web Designer then other employers will choose you instead of another designer who did not have the education that you did. 
He had also mentioned that the downfalls of his job were the very long hours that he could work in a week, but his favorite part was the time he got to spend time  working at home and spending time with his family. I like the fact that you can still be at work but also at home with all of your loved ones.
A little more advice that Michael had told us, is that you must know a lot about your field of specialties, and must know the differences from a bad design and a good one. You have to read a bunch of blogs and research a lot, and also study what your clients need and want. Michael makes it very clear that being in the Web Design industry is a lot of work, but if it is what you love then it is definitely worth it.

 

Thank You Michael for your time and sharing your knowledge with our class.

2 comments:

  1. I appreciate your documenting the interview, but I want to know what you think about the job. Is this a job you would do? Do you think it is fair for Michael to have to work that many hours each week? Is there enough creativity in the job to make it interesting or would you feel like a code monkey doing it?

    Mr. C
    Noel Elementary School
    NoelTigers.com

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  2. It's nice to have this kind of discussion on programming and web design. And it's incredible that video chat is now used as an interactive tool for students to learn. I would like to see their web designs soon! =]

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