Naysayers beware - Flash has legs - big ones - and regardless of whether you'd like to believe it or not, it can in many cases be wholly inspirational.

Please give us a brief bio of yourself.

I am the sole proprietor of iamalwayshungry / IAAH. I'm an advocate for the convergence of mediums. Detester of the word mundane. Sucker for French films. Influenced by Robert Rauschenberg, Tibor Kalman and John Heartfield. Endorsed by no one. 1/2 Limey and raised in a place known as the "Big Easy."

A firm believer in the intrinsic value of life. But more importantly, always hungry for it.

What do you do for inspiration?

I don't look for it first and foremost. It's funny when I'm asked that. Generally I'll try and take a break - do things that may be out of the norm, I'll often flip through books. There is no specific avenue other then breaking routine.

Please list 3 of your favourite sites.

www.nytimes.com, www.last.fm, google.com

What do you regard as being your biggest achievement?

It's really not one precise thing. The closest thing would be the act of individuals saying "thank you..."

Realizing that some of the work I create can have an impact on people in various manners.

Discovering that design has social implications and can affect the masses in non commercial ways - that people actually give a shit. That has been an eye opening experience and a big achievement for me.

What software couldn't you live without?

Pencil - if one could consider that software. The adobe suite as a whole is pretty damn important.

What projects do you have in the pipeline?

Working on some really exciting things that unfortunately I can't go into detail about. They involve the impact and evolution of the music industry and trying to predict where it's headed and how it can grow.

Doing a new mark for my friends at DC Comics, an identity for a new bakery in S.F., and other side projects like a poster devoted to the all-mighty ampersand.

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

Hmmmm. How about I switch it from top 3 design companies to top 3 designers. I think I lean on individual designers more than studios as being inspirational.

Three off the top of my head are Tibor Kalman, Bruno Manuri, and Alan Fletcher.

What effect on traffic do your new designs have?

Not quite sure to be honest. At times people seem to be receptive and I get feedback - other times it can be rather quite.

Who is your target audience?

You. them, her, him. I'd like to trick myself to believe that the site and work there within is for everyone - but it probably leans to a savvy, design centric audience.

What area of web design lacks the most?

Sound, typography, and utilization of the screen resolution. We are beginning to see a shift of the later.

With faster connections and flash's ability to handle large images - we are having experiences that are engaging and can in some respects come close to challenging the feel of some of today's "glossy magazines." Let's see some innovative uses of video people.

Typography on many sites is lacking - there needs to be some reference to print and how type can be explored and exploited. Scaling and ratios seem to fly out the window at times.

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

Yes - go here... www.iamalwayshungry.com/latest/revised/splash2.html

Do you think Flash is here to stay?

Absolutely - it has helped pave a path that is allowing the online medium to grow by leaps and bounds. Naysayers beware - Flash has legs - big ones - and regardless of whether you'd like to believe it or not, it can in many cases be wholly inspirational.

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

Some of the most talented designers I have met are not "traditionally educated " in Graphic design.

There are pros and cons of course. The Pros of attending the right school would be learning some of the history - a huge component of what we do and why we do it. The accessibility of certain "seasoned" professionals that can help one along the way.

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

The web is an amazing networking tool. I contacted firms I appreciated and admired and just tried to do the best work I could do. I still do the same thing to this day.

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

Yikes! A Whole Foods trip that consisted of bread, roses for Karen (my rockin wife), chips, and a few other things - grand total $43.22

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

Hmmmm - given I don't spend much time in flash these days - I'd have to refer to my good friends Destin Young of Ourvice or Evan DeHaven of Evoke for flash fashion sense.

I believe Destin wears snowman flannel pajamas and those pink bunny slippers when he's working, and Evan sports a beard large enough for three people. They're both a bit loony - but shhhhhh I didn't say that.

Any parting shots or pearls of wisdom?

The only person that holds you back - is you.

It's been a privilege, thanks very much.

Thank you.