Yes, I am an eye-candy freak. But, most surfers are. It can get to be a matter of style. Sometimes a designer’s style works really well in one way but not another. Because of that I pursue every variation of designers’ personal styles.

I was browsing here and there and saw the  F1000.fr design site - of Fabien Gouby of France . I looked in and decided I should ask Fabien for an interview.

How did you get into web design? “When I was a kid I really liked drawing and was interested by beautiful pictures and cartoons. So I wanted to learn graphics and multimedia. But I am more interested by webdesign. Interactivity, animation and this opening on the world make it more alive than print.”

Do you remember the very first site you designed? “Yes ! It’s was the first version of my portfolio. I remember, the color combination was so bad. I followed a tutorial on a book. But that was the beginning for me. That allowed me to learn and to continue the web exploration.”

Where do you get your artwork for your webpages? “I try, as much as I can to shoot my own pictures and create my own illustrations. When I create a website I know exactly what type of pictures I need and I lose much time trying to find it on a web stock. I have got a good friend who is a photographer and he often helps me.”

What will be the next big development in webpage design? “The video on the web is developing very fast, and I think that 3D will push back the limits of the Web further.”

Have you ever worked with website templates? “At the beginning yes, but I didn’t really like that. Without templates, we can develop the graphic and the interactive part so the visual identity and the impact are better.”

What do you think about Flash technology? “Really great tool. With Flash we see the design and the graphic take a big part of the website. Flash allows the developers, graphic designers, video makers, music makers, and soon 3D designers to work together on a global website project.”

You’re a web designer and a creative person - describe the creative process and how you stimulate yourself? “I don’t do something special. I just try to stay connected and see a maximum of new designs, ideas and tendencies. You make your own interpretation and that develops your creativity.”

What are your sources of inspiration? “I love nature and I think it’s a good source of inspiration - the colors for example. The other graphics and websites are a good source too.”

What was the toughest project or customer situation you’ve encountered? “Each project is tough because I try to find something new and original each time.”

What is it you most like and dislike about being a web designer? “The web is changing every time and you have to adapt and learn every time. For me it’s really motivating and exciting but it’s hard to follow sometimes.”

Thank you Fabien for your ideas about web design. We wish you continued success and inspiration.

Stop Chasing Rainbows, Create Them!
Arthur Browning