Pleasing ourselves, the agency, first, was our first toughest target and biggest inspiration (we're a tough audience).

  Please give us a brief bio of yourself.

SVP Creative Director, Arc Worldwide, A Leo Burnett Company.

Fine Arts and art direction background and founding member of Leo Burnett Canada’s integrated marketing services.

My 20-year career started in print, evolving from specializing in retail and promotion to direct marketing and interactive – I have a passion for great looking work that works.

  What do you do for inspiration?

Imagine something different in everyday things and places. Look at it upside down, backwards; listen in a different language, imagine people are animated.

  Please list 3 of your favourite sites.

I love my Mini, so of course mini.com is one of my favorite sites.

zimmertwins.com is simple and fun.

leoburnett.ca is a work of art but if our own site doesn’t count…

debbiescaribbeanresortreviews.com, more than you want to know about where you might go.

  What do you regard as being your biggest achievement?

Giving birth.

  What projects do you have in the pipeline?

We’re working on our mother ship site leoburnett.com. This will become the global site for our company. It’s the same…but very different.

  Who is your target audience?

Pleasing ourselves, the agency, first, was our first toughest target and biggest inspiration (we’re a tough audience).

But really we're talking to everyone with leoburnett.ca, our friends, peers, clients, your sister, our parents.

  What area of web design lacks the most?

Loading…loading…

  Do you think Flash is here to stay?

Yes, it’s amazing.

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

In an agency environment, if you can get into our business without school you are very fortunate.

Like any opportunity it can be who you know, who your mentors are and being in the right place at the right time.

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

Early in my career my Creative Director said, “Remember our clients are buying you and your enthusiasm for the idea. Just make sure you never show them anything you don't want to sell.” It works.

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

Hot sauce. I like to spice things up and will pay any price.

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