Post by urbancinderella on Jun 7, 2007 8:53:53 GMT
deviantART - Programming/Coders
Administered by Whitney.
Name? Matthew Stephens
Age & birthday? 25; March 10, 1982
Location? Austin, Texas
Website/gallery? www.codebymatt.com
Let's have a little bit of background information: What are some websites you have designed?
My first graphic design website and the reason I got involved with deviantART was wastedyouth.org. It was a pretty successful tutorial and interview-based site which also highlighted my design skills.
Which came first: coding or designing? How long have you been doing each?
HTML came first, but design was a very close second.
Why and how did you begin working with code and design?
A friend gave me a copy of Photoshop 3.0, and I started playing around like everyone else. I started coding so that I could share some of my gaming tactics for the original Command & Conquer. I was obsessed.
How have you come to where you are today? Did you simply toy around with designing or coding? Did you ever have any lessons or instruction from someone?
I started like most people- toying around. I was always into art as a kid and continued to pursue that. I never got any specific instruction, unless it was from someone I worked with.
Do you have any specific inspiration, or do random ideas that could prove to be useful randomly pop up?
Luckily, the job I'm at right now doesn't demand a WHOLE lot of inspiration, but just enough so that when something strikes me, I can run with it. That fits my style a lot better.
Do you prefer the coding side or designing side of website design? Why?
It depends on what the site is. If it's for me or a fun side project, I love designing more. However, I feel more confident in my coding skills when it comes to paid projects.
How did you think of the successful features you used on deviantART?
I felt empowered? I'm not sure how to answer that question. I loved the fact that people found my ideas to be helpful. That's what kept all of us working for such little money for so long.
When working on a project for whoever, do you go exactly by what the customer wants, or do you try to incorporate your own touch?
It's a fine line you have to walk when dealing with clients. If the client demands certain things, you obviously have to abide. But a lot of the clients I work with give me a lot of freedom, which is important. It's also why I keep taking their projects.
Do you have any favorite website designs? Which do you take the most pride in?
Oh, I have no idea. Probably some of the older wasted youth designs or the Winamp skins I made.
You have written a book entitled Foundation Dreamweaver MX. Tell us a little bit about it. Were there any specific reasons for you writing it, other than to help people gain knowledge of Dreamweaver? Do you feel that the book has been successful?
Honestly, I wrote it because I was broke and needed the money. However, I was always very passionate about teaching, which is why wasted youth had so many tutorials. (I think it had 120+ when it shut down.)
I think it was successful because it was written about a piece of software that was new and needed documentation. It paid for my third summer of college. Everyone I know who read it learned a lot. So, yes, I would consider it a success.
Do you have any plans for writing other books?
I have a lot of ideas for books, but never any time. I will eventually write again; it was a great experience.
How often do you speak/lecture/present? Do you enjoy this? Do you feel that it is important?
I don't do it much anymore. Back in the hayday, when I was running things with Scott, I would speak quite often. I even spoke at my university in a class that I wouldn't take for two years. That was a little strange.
I enjoy public speaking and would do it anytime I had the opportunity.Where do you see yourself in the future? What do you think you'll be doing?
I love my job now. I am a designer at one of the coolest companies. It's hard to explain exactly what the company does, but we're basically an independent film distribution company. My major was film, so it combines my two biggest passions. I basically get to make websites for highly successful independent films. I hope that the company does well and I can continue to grow with the company from the ground up.
Lastly, do you have any tips or advice for aspiring website designers?
Career-wise, make sure it's your passion. If you don't want to learn this stuff in your off-time, don't do it. If you don't find yourself at home, after work, reading about the new version of Photoshop, don't do it.
In terms of running a successful website, I have quite specific instructions that you obviously already know: interviews. However, don't interview people like me- interview people with highly successful websites and large egos. Make sure they post on their site about your interview with them. It's a free link and will get high amounts of traffic quickly. Also, get dugg. Often.
You can find Matthew's book, Foundation Dreamweaver MX, at Amazon.com, or by clicking here.