To move from Brazil to US was definitely complicated. Leaving my family, friends out there was hard. But I had to move forward, luckily I have a fantastic girlfriend at my side and true friends here in US.

Please give us a brief bio of yourself.

I'm Brazilian, 27. Currently, I am Creative Developer at Hello Design - Los Angeles. After mad years put on JWT Brazil and Syrup New York as Lead Flash Developer I decided to move forward and start working with different languages creating concepts close to the design team.

I started developing really poor websites around 2000, by myself, using pure html.

I got engaged to flash at the version 4, and it never stop. When we hit 2009 I started studying Java/Android and Python, since then I never halted studying different things. 

In my free time I am skater, which clean it up my soul, take all the stress from my mind.

What do you do for inspiration?

I usually take a break from work and from every single person around me. I try to go to the park, the beach, any place far from the office. It's good to have a fresh air.

Please list 3 of your favourite sites.

- thefwa.com - because I check it everyday

- google.com - because it's my savior when I need research

- gmail.com - well, you know why!

What do you regard as being your biggest achievement?

To move from Brazil to US was definitely complicated. Leaving my family, friends out there was hard. But I had to move forward, luckily I have a fantastic girlfriend at my side and true friends here in US. I think it was the biggest achievement in my life until now.

How many hours do you work each week?

I have no idea, it depends of the week. As average, I would say... around 60.

How do you relax or unwind?

Skateboarding! It makes me feel alive. I used to drive motorbikes back in 2007 but I stopped after a crash.

If you weren't working on the internet what would you be doing?

Lots of people should think I'd say Skater, but I do it just because I love it. I think I could work on finance market.

What's the longest you've ever stayed up working on a project?

It was a project back in 2007. I was migrating to AS3 and I worked for 15 days straight with sleeping only 4 hours per day, including weekends! That was where I found my limit, then, I just got over it. 

What software could you not live without?

Eclipse and it's plugins (aptana, flash builder, android tools), iTerm, Photoshop. Actually, there's a bunch.

In terms of software, is there anything new you have been playing with lately or that has impressed you?

It's not a specific software, but I like the kinect! I made a little experiment in 2010 (http://vimeo.com/17907511). I am always looking for something involving this technology here at Hello. I hope we can go beyond! Another stuff that I have played a lot, is Java/Android.

Are there any websites that have shone through as being pioneering in the last 5 years or so?

Although facebook has been a source of nothing, if you unsubscribe the right people you can have a good experience, focusing your content in what you're interested. So, I think facebook is shining, definitely.

Has winning FWA awards helped you in any way?

Oh yes, it has opened the doors in several occasions!

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

I have a plan to write a book, yes! Not only about a focused technology, not about life, but about how to pursue the success! I have a lot of goals to achieve in my life, but I already did a good portion. When I hit 40's I can start thinking deep on it.

Are there things you do OUTSIDE of work to ensure that you are in the right mindset to be creative and/or successful in whatever you are doing?

Well, yes! I study basically everyday. I don't remember the last day I've broken this habit. Maybe at Christmas. The fact of studying everyday makes me try to apply these new skills during the day at work. This year, I also have planned to start 3D classes, then I can understand more the designer's mind. It's good to be synced with 'em.

The web is getting out of the web. Do you find that thinking in digital solutions alone hinders you? Do you feel the urge to solve the problem using all mediums necessary?

Well, first of all, I study what are the client's needs. I see where their target are. Then, starting from this point, I can say "Guys, I think that is the best way to go!". Digital solutions are amazing! But sometimes we have different targets.

Of all the websites you/your company have produced, which one are you most proud of?

I'm very proud of the Puma - Museum of Power, where I was developer. We had a very short schedule. It was literally a week of development, and the website won Cannes, Oneshow and much more awards out there. I'm very proud of the all team involved at that time.

Do you think Flash is here to stay?

Hum, it's hard to say this, I'm not a prophet, haha. Flash lost a lot of space. HTML5+Javascript+CSS3 will take it's place in few years, that's my thought. Although, Flash has been redirected to the game development, which opens another niche in the market. (mobile, desktop, kinect and hopefully game consoles (Now I'm just dreaming)).

I really don't know what Adobe will do in the future after all they did to the flash community. I just want to see them pushing the Flash to the next level.

At the end, everyone wins with that, developers, users, clients. I still don't understand why couple developers are whining about it. Move on! There's a lot of languages out there to learn. Programming is much bigger then know one or two languages.

How do you keep up with the latest capabilities of Flash or do you rely on other members of you team to do this?

I sign the RSS feed of the Adobe guys, always trying to be up to date to any news that came up. Not only with flash to be honest, I keep myself posted about other stuffs, html, android...

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

I have learned by myself, since forever. I like to study alone, I don't know the reason for that, but looks like I can keep more focus.

I tried to be speaker, but I am a disaster speaking about it formally. Although, I am totally open to have an informal conversation about any subject of development. The best leader is that one who makes it's followers better them itself!

There must be a project that you have always dreamed of doing, what is it?

Well, every single time I look to the Get the Glass making of, I speak to myself: "Man, I really wanted to be part of that" North Kingdom did an awesome job. Nowadays the time passed, I don't know what would be a dreamy project to me, this kind of project would be cool, but not a dream. I think I'll figure this out when I have it happening right in front of my eyes.

What are you excited about learning next and is there a long term challenge you are considering tackling?

Well, I'll get more deep on back-end development this second semester, probably using .net and php. For the first semester I will take those 3D classes and keep learning javascript. 

I have challenges everyday, I just try to keep moving, and never let these put me down.-

Any parting shots or pearls of wisdom?

Pain is temporary, victory is forever! Never ever give up of any of your dreams, then you can make 'em real!

It has been a privilege, thanks very much

The privilege is totally mine! Stay strong!

Hello Design
Marcelo Duende
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