Minna Kim Mazza
Web Designer and Founder of Blue Agate
Primary design concentration:
All web, all the time
Most preferred tool for designing:
A notepad with pencil, and then Photoshop
1. How and why did you choose to become a designer?
I didn’t really choose to become a designer…. Way back when the Web was emerging, I tinkered with Photoshop 2.0, and was a student worker bee for my university’s Web site (managed by two people at the time). I’ve always had some artistic tendencies, through painting or drawing. It all just kind of fell together at some point.
2. Challenges you encounter as a designer and how do you deal with them?
Even though it’s good for learning, I resist looking at other peoples’ designs, because I don’t want to risk copying. So a big challenge is to come up with something original. I just power through brainstorm after brainstorm until it seems “right.”
3. Your definition of an “elegant solution,” that is, good design?
Since I work with the Web and frequently with displaying dynamic data, design isn’t just for design’s sake. It has to work well functionally with the content that the design is housing. So, design is non-intrusive yet enhances the experience at the same time.
4. From skills to values, what makes a designer successful?
Design is so subjective that it’s hard to define success. It’s not just having the design talent, it’s also selling yourself to as many people as possible, and being content with it.
5. How do you stay motivated and grow personally and professionally as a designer?
Sometimes looking at “bad” design makes me motivated to make sure I don’t make those mistakes in my own work. I’m also supporting soon to be 2 kids so that helps keep the drive going as well.
6. For those aspiring to become a designer, whatever the discipline, what is your advice?
Just keep in mind that there will always be someone, somewhere that will not like your design, and that you should be prepared to adapt if that someone is your client.
7. What is your quest in design?
At this point, I don’t have any particular goals in design, except to enjoy working with it.
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