Zane David
Hey, I’m Zane David, an interaction designer from Melbourne, Australia. I’ve just moved across the pond to London, where I’m living with my girlfriend and contracting as a designer. I’ve just started a collective with my friend Callum here in London, we’re hoping to build a dream team of designers and developers. Like all designers, I’ve got my own app in the oven, so keep an eye out!
When your friends or parents ask to you what job do you do, how do you answer?
I always start by telling them that I’m an interaction designer, but I always received a bewildered look, so I go on to explain that I design apps and websites. That usually goes down well, people seem to appreciate that I work in a creative industry.
What is your background, how did you train?
The first question people ask is usually, “how did you learn to do that?” It’s always quite difficult to answer this, because there was never a defining moment in my life when I felt like I was actually a designer. I started in the print industry, only to find out that I didn’t like it, so the day after I bought my first iPhone, I had an affair with interaction design and the relationship is still going strong. Like all relationships, there wasn’t a course for it, so I figured it out along the way ☺
What the web can do to make this world a better place? How did the web improve your life( if it did)?
The web really has changed my life, as cliche as that sounds. If it wasn’t for Dribbble, I’d probably be stuck in the print world, which would have driven me crazy. Back when I first started, I couldn’t be picky about the projects I accepted, because I need the experience. But today, I only choose to work on projects that I truly believe will benefit someone’s life in some way.
Can you show us three examples of interface that in your opinion improved human life?
For me, the biggest examples are ones that change the way in which we communicate. Skype’s a big one for me personally, it allows me to work remotely and for clients all over the world.
On quora.com, time ago there was a long discussion in answer to the question “what is the most intuitive interface ever created?”; according to Felipe Rocha it is the nipple, in your opinion instead? (http://www.quora.com/What-are-the-most-intuitive-interfaces-ever-created)
I don’t know if there is one definite winner, but the iPhone has to be one of the most used products in my life. I can socialise with friends, catch up on work or call my family on the other side of the world and hang out. It’d be a much harder world without it.
How is your work day type?
The early bird gets the worm! I like to be up and out of bed before 7am so I can make the most of my day. I start with brain food and a coffee, before kicking off the working day around 8am. I like to be done by 5pm, so I can enjoy time with girlfriend. I think it’s easy to be trapped inside a work bubble and burn yourself out (we’ve all done it), so I try to avoid that by setting myself a regular routine.
What is the most stimulating and challenging project you have accomplished?
For me, this always seems to be the last project I worked on. As I mentioned before, I only work on projects that I truly believe will benefit someone’s life. I’ve recently wrapped up a design contract for a safety company in Australia, who are pushing the boundaries in work place safety. Here’s an image of their auditing app I designed.
What is, among the existing digital services, the one you wanted to do?
What I do right now, create interfaces that help people in some way. I love my job and I wouldn’t change it for anything.
Many designers commit the mistake of starting a project directly from Photoshop, is there a perfect design method? What is your approach to the creative process?
It always starts with the client. I spend time talking with the client, so I can fully understand their product and goals before I even touch a pencil. You really need to put yourself in the user’s shoes, so you can understand what you’re trying to achieve.
It’s important for me to stick to a process, so at the end of every project I can evaluate how well it’s gone. I start with a few sketches, put my ideas on paper so I can visualise what’s going on inside my head. From there, I put together interactive wireframes, so both myself and the client can click around. This helps to iron out any problems early on, and clients love to have a working prototype to look at. Once we’ve fleshed out the best user experience, I jump into photoshop to build out the interface (the fun stuff.)
The “design” is an important part of our analogic life. What is the role of the designer in our digital life?
I think most people would answer this by saying that it’s meant to make life more simple or easier. But to me, that’s not necessarily what it’s about. I think it’s more about improving your life and giving you the right tools to do that. I like to think that the work I do helps people in some way.
Do you believe it is important for a designer to have a deep knowledge of matters as User Experience, Interaction Design, Product Design, and Front-end development?
I think it’s extremely important to have a deep knowledge of all of the above. I’m no coder, but I do understand the limitations of development. An interface means nothing without a great foundation of user experience. As a designer, it’s a never-ending learning curve and I think that’s why I love it so much.
In which way do you make a difference between User Interface and user experience?
The user experience is the foundation of any product. You need to put yourself inside the users shoes, so you can create a solution that’s best for their needs. Once you’ve set a good foundation, then you can worry about making it look great and appealing to those users visually.
What is your relationship with the developers? There are people that have a relationship of continuous confrontation and other of deep friendship, where do you collocate with respect to this question?
As a contractor, it’s a mixed bag. I’ve built some long term relationships with great developers who are now friends. I’ve also worked with in-house developers, but it’s really all about communication and collaborating with them. I’ve heard many stories of designers who want things their way, but it’s a team effort, so communication and respect go a long way!
How do you think that your career and job will evolve in the next 5 years?
It’s evolving every day. I started off small and now I find myself working on much larger projects. I think over the next 5 years I’ll continue to work with clients and focus on a few of my own products, because ultimately I’d love to build my own dream team.
A famous quotation of David Carson (noted American graphic designer) says: “Graphic design will save the world right after rock and roll does”. Will the User Interface Design save the world, before, at the same time, or after the graphic design?
Graphic design has it’s place in the world, but user interface design is definitely pushing the boundaries these days. We’re all so busy, life’s hectic now, so we’re looking to the digital world to simplify the things in life we don’t have time for any more.
What do you think about Dribbble? Is it a good way to get a job? What’s the best way to find a job as designer?
Dribbble’s amazing, it’s honestly the best platform for a designer who’s trying to get their name out there. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the creative folk on dribbble to give me feedback and help improve my game. Almost all of my work in the past has come from Dribbble.
What book would you advice to a Junior Designer?
I’ll be honest, I’m not one to read books. It’s probably a good idea, but I’m a hands on learner, so there’s nothing better than sitting down and practising your craft. I don’t think David Beckham sat down and read a book on taking free kicks.
Always as far as advices: what tools for the design? What tools for the projects management ?
Photoshop for design, harvest for invoicing, basecamp for project management and invision for prototyping.
Dribbble : https://dribbble.com/zane_david
Website : http://zanedavid.me/
