If you consider that almost every piece of online and/or printed media in metropolitan society has touched Photoshop at one point - it's incredible.

Please give us a brief bio of yourself.

I was born in Syosset NY but have lived in California most of my life. I spent my childhood in Huntington Beach and went to school at UCLA and Art Center College of Design where I graduated with BFAs in fine art and illustration. I’ve lived in Los Angeles ever since – and currently live in Mar Vista with my wife and two kids.

What do you do for inspiration?

I keep myself engrossed in all forms of media. Great work is always inspiring. But mostly, it's socializing with people who are passionate about what they do – it can be contagious.

Please list 3 of your favourite sites.

espn.com, my fantasy basketball site, and thefwa.com (no kidding).

What do you regard as being your biggest achievement?

My kids. Professionally, it's having the opportunity to work in the film business. It’s a hard nut to crack, we’re privileged to be a part of it.

What software couldn't you live without?

Flash and Photoshop. If you consider that almost every piece of online and/or printed media in metropolitan society has touched Photoshop at one point – it’s incredible.

What projects do you have in the pipeline?

We’re just wrapping American Gangster for Universal. Upcoming is Iron Man, Wanted and a few other super exciting things that we can’t mention yet!

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

Tough question. I’m going to have to say that the collective responsible for marketing the following companies are my top 3: ESPN (their motion graphics blow my mind. The kings of information and UI design) NIKE (just about anything they put out is tops – especially their TV spots) Apple (Even though I hate to admit it.)

What effect on traffic do your new designs have?

Really hard to say – that information isn’t normally available to share.

Who is your target audience?

Because our projects are always changing, we address the full gamut. That’s the best part about the film space!

What area of web design lacks the most?

Innovation. Thinking differently.

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

It was a ‘clan’ site for a game called Starcraft. We were called the D.O.H. I’ve got it archived here in my back pocket, but it's no longer online. If you’re a nerd, you’ve probably heard of it.

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

I have not. Our art director David DeVere and I have been talking about making a coffee table book of all our work.

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

Zodiac without a doubt. Not necessarily technically, but the amount of factual information we were dealing with was crazy. Our Flash developer Patrick Figueroa and I spent about 9 months building the timeline feature alone. www.zodiacmovie.com/timeline

Do you think Flash is here to stay?

Yes. Without a doubt. Don’t you!?

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

Someone with natural talent can get into the field without educational experience, however schooling can be invaluable to help build professional skills and develop business tools that aren’t always inherent no matter how good you are.

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

Building relationships.

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

Over the years I’ve kept in touch with the people I respect. I’m always trying to learn – it's endless. As I’ve built my business I’ve had less time to keep my hands dirty, but I never stop trying.

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

4 plane tickets to Hawaii.

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

Shorts, t-shirts (usually stained) and no shoes most often constitute my get up.

Any parting shots or pearls of wisdom?

Nobody ever went broke tipping.

It's been a privilege, thanks very much.

Thank you.

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