Yes, I definitely think it (Flash) is here to stay for now. Maybe in the future it will shape itself into something else... maybe a Superflash or something.

  Please give us a brief bio of yourself.

I am 35 years old and I live in Helsinki, Finland and I like it here.

I've been working for Satama for about 4 years as a graphic - / flash designer.

  What do you do for inspiration?

Well, in my free time I go snowboarding and skateboarding and that type of thing. I find that to be quite inspirational. I also like to go on hiking trips to the northern woods of Finland. I always feel fresh to come back to the computer after those trips.

But actually I don't think that I really do anything for inspiration ... it comes if it comes.

  Please list 3 of your favourite sites.

Amazon / because I like books, CDs and DVDs

Gigposters / a great place to go to get a creativity boost and kill some time

Jim Brandenburg's site / If there's a one thing I would rather be doing than what I do, it would be taking pictures like Jim Brandenburg

  What do you regard as being your biggest achievement?

Being able to live a happy life.

  What software couldn't you live without?

Photoshop and Flash.

  What projects do you have in the pipeline?

During office hours I am mainly working with global product marketing campaigns for a mobile phone brand. Currently I am also working on a flash site for a snowboard professional, Jussi Oksanen.

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

It's hard to choose but I really like stuff for example from these guys:

Wefail

Asterik Studio

North Kingdom

... but there's so many good ones.

  Who is your target audience?

In most cases my target audience is the target audience of the client. Sometimes I also do some stuff just to amuse me and maybe my friends.

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

It was a table based HTML site with lot of spacer gifs for a Finnish illustrator. That definitely wasn't XHTML valid. Luckily for everybody, it's not online anymore. The Internet is a bit healthier this way.

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

No I haven't and I guess I never will. I don't really know what I would write about. I am more into reading books myself.

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

I've had countless difficult moments with Flash. Many times I've felt "I am never going to get this done" but usually things have become clearer the next morning.

Some days things are just a bit easier than some others. I can't say what would be the single most difficult thing I've done. I think they are still yet to come.

  Do you think Flash is here to stay?

Yes, I definitely think it is here to stay for now. Maybe in the future it will shape itself into something else... maybe a Superflash or something.

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

Schools are good and for sure it helps you to get a job in the field but I think what really counts at the end of the day is your portfolio, attitude and personality.

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

I think I've been mostly learning the things I know by just really wanting to get better with my design and flash skills.

For each new flash project I like to try to involve techniques that I haven't tried before.

Also, where I work I am surrounded by many skilled people (Flash and other fields) and it's definitely been helping me to develop. The bottom line is that I really like what I do for living.

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

A new apartment. Actually that was the most expensive thing I have ever bought.

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

I am pretty much jeans / t-shirt type of guy. I guess most of my clothes have some snowboarding or skateboarding brand on them.

  It's been a privilege, thanks very much.

Big thanks to you too.