About Me
My father is an auto mechanic. Maybe I get the problem-solving gene from him. Because that’s what attracted me to online communications in the first place; it’s a chance to solve problems and experience the results in real time. Devising a strategy to reach the target and seeing the needle move is what really excites me. The design execution is only a part of it.
I have a long history of working in this medium, and, in few small ways, I feel as though I have contributed to its growth. I created one of the first ad banners on the Internet. I was booed mercilessly at a user group meeting for asking how GIFs could be animated for ad banner purposes.
I got my start in this medium at intouch group back in 1993. They were the makers of the iStation, a multimedia music listening kiosk. I reported to the head engineer and sat with the programmers. I created prototype interfaces in Macromedia Director, and the programmers put them together in C++. When the Internet made its public debut, we ported the product to the Web. I never looked back.
Since then, I have created over 1,000 banners, designed a few dozen Web sites, created countless HTML emails and landing pages, with the occasional demo, video, or blog thrown in for variety. I’ve even launched interactive practices at some (very) traditional agencies.
I think I manage to stay fresh by actively developing best practices based on real-world results and industry research. I also like to dabble with CSS and a little JavaScript or PHP now and again.
I’m a firm believer in a multidisciplinary approach. I believe in the cross-pollination of planning, account management, media, technology, and creative.
As a manager, my biggest source of satisfaction is finding and fostering new talent. I am proud to say that many of the juniors that I mentored are now creative directors themselves. Although I have a wide range and a lot of experience, I know that just because an idea is mine doesn’t necessarily mean it is the best one on the table. A good idea can come from anyone or anywhere.
If you want to take a look at what I’m into, check out my del.icio.us links. To see some of my photography, go to my Flickr page.