I've always been fascinated by fashion and architecture and have always followed the latest trends and developments trying to find analogies to web design.

  Please give us a brief bio of yourself.

I have studied Communication-Design in Germany, graduating in 1996. After my graduation I have worked as a freelance designer in different studios for a few years, ending up in Amsterdam working for QuA Associates for about 3 years.

Since 2003 I'm back in Wiesbaden, working as a Senior Art Director at Scholz & Volkmer.

  What do you do for inspiration?

Most things which inspire me are not resonantly related to my job...For example I've always been fascinated by fashion and architecture and have always followed the latest trends and developments trying to find analogies to web design.

  Please list 3 of your favourite sites.

thefwa.com (honestly)

maps.google.de

The scholz&volkmer intranet

  What do you regard as being your biggest achievement?

Almost never having worked on the weekend.

  What software couldn't you live without?

First of all a web browser and my mail client, but my favourite piece of software is definitely Photoshop, ...and I love After Effects...

  What projects do you have in the pipeline?

Different kind of jobs, all to do with Mercedes-Benz,...and finding a new apartment

  Who do you rate as being the top 3 design companies?

Impossible to decide, today I would vote for NORTH KINGDOM from Sweden, 3deluxe from Germany, FORSMAN & BODENFORS from Sweden as well ...

  What effect on traffic do your new designs have?

It's always different.

  Who is your target audience?

Depends on the client, right now I work basically for Mercedes-Benz, so the target group is 93% male, age depending on the type of car...

  What area of web design lacks the most?

Usability.

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

The first site I made was for USM Haller, I still have some funny screenshots within the Netscape 2.0 browser. It went online in 1996...of course it is not online anymore, it was very clean, very white...with tiny furniture gif animations.

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

No.

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

This is also quite some time ago...not online anymore. Last time I worked with flash myself was almost 3 years ago?!

  Do you think Flash is here to stay?

To stay a few more years for sure, but you never know.

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

Well, yes.

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

To try to exceed the client's expectations. To always be in time (well...sorry I'm German ;)

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

Love your job, watch and try to learn from everybody.

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

A pair of sneakers.

  What type of overcoat do you wear when Flashing, basically are you a labels woman?

No-labels-woman...but wait....I like a lot the stuff from skunkfunk.

  Any parting shots or pearls of wisdom?

I wish I had an answer to this......

  It's been a privilege, thanks very much.

Thank you.