Where are you originally from?
I was born in Tarrytown, NY and grew up on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I moved from MA back to NY to finish my Bachelor’s and have remained since.
How did you get started in design?
I began studying design at a technical high school where I spent a minimum of two weeks out of every month focusing on a trade of my choice.
Where do you draw your design aesthetic from?
I try to take inspiration wherever I can! One should always keep their eyes open; even the littlest of things can spark one’s own eureka moment.
Are you inspired by various mediums of art? If so, who are some of your favorite artists?
I spent a lot of time studying several facets of design including animation, 3D, mixed media 2D, painting, and figure drawing. Keeping an open mind allows me to be as versatile as I possibly can be. I'm a huge fan of surrealism - including Salvador Dali and M.C. Escher.
What are some of your favorite websites you've built?
All the sites I’ve built are special to me because I try to put my best effort into each one. Plus, I’ve built great relationships with my clients.
What are some of your favorite websites other people built and why?
I’m proud of all my WIX designer colleagues because they have cultivated a collaborative environment in which ideas flow freely for the benefit of the client. Each website is expressive of that effort in my opinion.
You have a background in graphic design. How does this help your web design skills?
To me, graphic design and web design go hand in hand. If one has weak design skills, it will show in the user interface of the website. Having such an extensive background in design allows me to build websites that are equally functional and attractive.
For someone interested in learning the basics of graphic design, how would you tell them to get started?
Go to YouTube and begin with the principles of design. Though the Adobe products like Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator are standards of the industry, they are NOT required to get a start. A good designer can do great things with a pencil and paper. Start small and work your way from there. Let it be fun and practice, practice, practice!
What do you think the 3 main components of successful design are?
Composition, hierarchy, and typography. There are more than three, but if I were speaking to someone who wanted to start learning, I would have them begin there.
Besides design, what are some of your hobbies?
Going to concerts, writing, reading, solving murder mysteries (poorly and incorrectly), karaoke, escape rooms… to start!
Do you have a favorite show these days?
I’m re-watching The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, so I’ll go with that for now.
Do you have a favorite book?
I’m currently in the middle of William Langland’s Piers Plowman, which I am enjoying.