The Geek Talk

Who’s Design Shack?

Design Shack is a web design gallery and tutorial site.

We showcase several gorgeous CSS website designs every day, and regularly post articles related to design. We’ve been running for several years, but have only recently started publishing regular articles.

How do you choose the idea and the colors in any new project?

Colour is a fun thing to consider in a new project – it depends whether I’m working for a client, or on one of my own websites. Obviously for a client, colour is based around their branding.

For my own websites, I find it useful to take a look at the COLOURlovers website, which is packed with useful colour scheme ideas and examples. It ensures you don’t end up settling for a standard, boring colour scheme – something that can be all too easy to do.

What does your typical day look like?

I tend to wake up fairly early – around 6-7am. I’ll try to empty my email inbox, then usually spend the rest of the morning editing and writing. I usually take a fairly long lunch break, and do some exercise – either go for a walk, or spend an hour in the gym.

In the afternoon, I’ll do a variety of things – varying quite a bit from day-to-day. It could be designing, general planning, or spending some time working on a new project. I do my best to have evenings off, but often find myself catching up on email that’s arrived throughout the day.

What are the tools you couldn’t live without?

First and foremost, I absolutely love my Mac and iPhone. They’re incredible gadgets, and it’s an amazing feeling to know you have your whole “business” on a phone in your pocket! Software wise, I use Tweetie, Mail.app, Things, Pixelmator, NetNewsWire and Transmit on a daily basis. WordPress is also a place I spend a great deal of time!

What do you do in your free time?

I have a real passion for cooking, and love spending an hour or so every day experimenting with a new recipe. It’s a great way to wind down! I’m also something of a movie fan (who isn’t?!), so generally visit the cinema every week or two. I try to get some exercise during the day, and also play squash from time-to-time.

Current favorite apps?

Despite running a few application blogs, I’m very minimal with the software I use and have installed long-term. I love those apps mentioned above, and on my iPhone I regularly use Ego, Analytics, and the Facebook app.

What OSs do you prefer?

Mac OS X all the way. It wipes the floor with anything else available. I used Windows for around 15 years of my life, and would never – ever – go back!

Small pic for your Workplace?

Favorite: Colors, Font, Languages (PHP, Ruby), JS Framework ?

• Colours: Brown, Green and Blue
• Font: Helvetica, Calibri, Palatino
• Languages: CSS, PHP, HTML
• JS Framework: I’m awful with JavaScript, so don’t really have a preference!

The things or source that inspired you?

I love the empowerment of working for myself, and that’s what gets me up every morning. I’m incredibly lucky to be in the position I am, and find that to be inspiration enough! I’m also regularly inspired by all the talented designers and software developers I come into contact with.

What’s do you prefer, the freelance work or the full time employee?

Undoubtedly freelance work. It comes with a bunch of added pressure, but I love all the extra work involved – finances, planning, marketing etc. I’d rather know that all my effort is benefitting myself directly rather than keeping another company afloat.

Your personnel projects and goals for 2010?

I’m hoping to grow and solidify the sites I manage already, while setting up one major new project (no details at this stage I’m afraid!). I’m always cautious about spreading myself too thin, and taking on too many projects at once.