Several years ago I created my First "Fullflash-dynamik-content-preloading-xml-Actionscript-cool animating-site" within a very short period of time. At the end I didn't sleep for about 60 hours. At this point I decided not to be a programmer.

Please give us a brief bio of yourself.

I was born in 1975 in Hamburg, Germany. After having studied Communication Design, at the age of 24, I started as employee for KABEL NEW MEDIA which later became INTERONE WORLDWIDE HAMBURG. In the meantime I was active as freelance Art Director. Since last year I've been working as Art Director for TRIBAL DDB Hamburg.

What do you do for inspiration?

I keep open my senses and try to get fresh, stimulating impressions and experiences. During a project I can be inspired by various things like films, books, architecture, stories, music etc.

Some things may, viewed from a different angle or by reducing them to the core, become an inspiration or turn into a concept.

Please list 3 of your favourite sites.

It changes every week or month. But finally:

http://halo3.com/believe/

I like the bullettime look. (like the Ikea site).

http://www.saab.com/microsites/60years/GLOBAL/en/index2.shtml

Sometimes playing around with the table / Mapp Metapher (like other designers:)). But after I saw that site I never wanted do that again. (Thank you).

http://www.adidas.com/y-3/

The first version of this site (its not online anymore). (Editor's note: maybe one of these version? Y-3 2004 or Y-3 2005)

What do you regard as being your biggest achievement?

It's not done yet.

What software could you not live without?

My Browser.

What projects do you have in the pipeline?

A Site for an new car, a photosite for my pictures of my travels and a lot of started but never finished animated movies.

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

It is quite difficult to name 3 companies. There are a few that have a real good own style. Perhaps the following:

hi-res

northkingdom

What effect on traffic do your new designs have?

The traffic of thefwa is super, thank you.

Who is your target audience?

Users who want to be entertained by the site or the content/ images / sound / animations on it. I wanna create a unique matching experience for every product or content on my sites. I hope my users like it and spend some time on it.

What area of web design lacks the most?

Nice design that merges with a good idea.

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

It was horrible. I created it for a little agency I worked for when I was a student. It was a site for children's books in 1997. During that time I learned a lot about programming and the problems you can get with that.

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?

Several years ago I created my First "Fullflash-dynamik-content-preloading-xml-Actionscript-cool animating-site" within a very short period of time. At the end I didn't sleep for about 60 hours. At this point I decided not to be a programmer.

Do you think Flash is here to stay?

For a while. But some time it will be replaced by another program. Flash is on the way to replace HTML. I think there should come a program that runs on the level of the system, without browser.

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

Sure. If you have enough talent and a strong intention to learn and to improve yourself, and if you are obsessed with the job you certainly can teach yourself the necessary basics.

The advantage of studying is that you get to know kindred souls and usually have plenty of time to spend on design.

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

I looked at many, many sites and bought some appropriate books.

Often I saw applications that were really cool and then I tried to programme the same myself or to find out how this or that was made. Besides open source also helped me a lot to understand Flash.

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

A Mountain Bike.

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

Sometimes. But the most important thing is that I like it.

Any parting shots or pearls of wisdom?

Keep easy.

It has been a privilege, thanks very much.

Thank you very much.

Tribal DDB Hamburg