duration 28:27

In issue #24, we speak with Jason Santa Maria, designer to the stars.

Jason {from Twitter}

Be sure to take the CreativeXpert Survey. Thanks!

What I know of Jason is that I envy the work he does. He’s an incredible designer who not only is on everyone’s Twitter list, he’s presented at many of the cool design conferences that I wish I could attend.

One recent achievement was making the list of Extremely Heterosexualist Web Designers. Fawny.org says Jason Santa Maria is a densely packed, deceptively short powerhouse with giant paws and a macabre streak. Honest.

Jason is a Creative Director at Happy Cog Studios. To quote Happy Cog:

Jason has been recognized for designing stylistic and imaginative web interfaces that maintain a balance of usability and effective content presentation. His work has won dozens of awards, including seven Addys in 2004.

During the interview we face-off in the first-ever Word Association Smack-down | Houser -vs- Santa Maria.

Jason answers these questions:

• When did you first decide to become a designer?
• You consider yourself a Graphic Designer, but you must be involved with UI design and User Experience. What do you do most?
• What type of design do you like the most?
  
• What things inspire you most? And where do you find them?
• I know lots of designers say that they don’t seek inspiration online, that you can get inspiration from things not web-related, but since we work on the web, and our work shows-up on the web, don’t you find that it’s necessary to pick-up some things online?
• Do you use a sketchbook?
• What do you do to stay current or fresh?
• Are there techniques that you have yet to try? Any new tools or software?
• We have a comment from Brad Thomson on the WordPress design. Brad says: “Great job on your WordPress work! How did you get that gig, and how long did it take you? Can you describe the design steps?”
• Another question from Kelsie J: What’s your favorite donut, both in brand and in flavor?

This interview is the 6th in our re-design series over at Creative Component. Follow the blog as we go through a very public site design.