I haven't updated my own website since 2001, and most of that was deleting whatever was there and putting up a game where a giant sumo squashes tiny ninjas.

  Please give us a brief bio of yourself.

Dan Purdy, freelance Flash designer / animator / programmer since the release of Flash 3 (whenever that was).

Have so far developed four award-winning sites with Arc Worldwide (that I can remember).

I haven't updated my own website since 2001, and most of that was deleting whatever was there and putting up a game where a giant sumo squashes tiny ninjas. I still like that game.

  What do you do for inspiration?

Drink.

  What do you regard as being your biggest achievement?

Marrying a hot chick and having the world's cutest baby.

  What software couldn't you live without?

I could actually live without software entirely, but I'd be a lot poorer without Flash.

  What projects do you have in the pipeline?

leoburnett.com -- the big half-brother of dot ca

  What effect on traffic do your new designs have?

I don't care as long as I get paid.

  Who is your target audience?

Mild substance abusers.

  What did your very first site look like? Is it still online?

My very first site was an unauthorized web site for a diner on the corner. It used CSS (cascading style sheets), so it looked different on every computer.

It was my only site done with CSS. I hate CSS.

  Have you written any books, if not do you plan to?

Would you pay me to write a book?

  What was the toughest thing you ever did with Flash? How long did you spend on it? Is it still online?

This is it. It took six to eight weeks, felt like thirty. Hopefully it's still online.

  Do you think Flash is here to stay?

Yes. It caught fire right when the web did, so it's almost synonymous with the web.

If something better comes along, it'll have to be a whole lot better to depose Flash, and Flash keeps getting better so, if you're trying to put something out to beat Flash, I'd give up.

  What are your views on design/graphic school. Do you think someone can get into the field without educational experience in a school environment?

School helps you get exposed to all different kinds of software, hardware, OSs, etc.

It's also a great way to meet people who are looking to do the same thing as you and you feed off each other's enthusiasm.

You don't need to rely as much on the teacher anymore, since there's so much material out there, but the environment is still valuable to your creative growth.

  When your company was just getting started, what did you find was most effective for getting new clients?

Word of mouth--my old college friends came through for me so often I didn't even have to print up business cards. I still haven't.

  How have you learned so many Flash/design skills and techniques and can you offer any advice for newbies?

Look around and try to figure out how things are done, and why it's done that way.

Try to understand the logic behind something, don't just copy code. And don't be afraid of math.

  What is the most expensive thing you've bought in the last week?

Coffee. I haven't been out much.

  It's been a privilege, Dan, thanks very much.