My name Mani, I am a UI and UX designer and I have been in this industry for almost 10 years, working as a freelance for nearly 3 years now.

When your friends or parents ask to you what job do you do, how do you answer?

My parents and majority of the friends know that I work in Information Technology – only some know the specifics that I am a designer.

What is your background, how did you train?

I started off as a Flash, animation and HTML designer almost a decade ago and worked for small to medium size web agencies. The agency I worked for had amongst their clients Nestle, Intel, Dell, McDonald’s and Telenor. I used to convert designs into Flash and ActionScript pieces and wanted to create and not just convert others work, hence started designing myself.

What the web can do to make this world a better place? How did the web improve your life( if it did)?

I believe web has already helped us improve quite a bit; people from different demographics and skills can come together and create amazing products. It helps learn about others, their cultures and ways of dealing with each other. Personally, I have learned a lot by collaborating with other designers, developers and other professionals. In terms of economic benefits, web has enabled me access to an unprecedented amount of opportunity to work with amazing people on exciting projects and products.

Can you show us three examples of interface that in your opinion improved human life?

Wheel, Computer mouse.

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)

An eye (would’ve been even better if it was installed on the tip of a finger)

How is your work day type?

Work day is flexible, depends on clients’ time zone.

What is the most stimulating and challenging project you have accomplished?

QuickTech – a lot of collaboration with the Business Analyst, UX designer, Front end developers and Back end developers.

What is, among the existing digital services, the one you wanted to do?

I love what I do — would like to keep improving and learning

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?

I start with pen and paper, write scenarios, sketches and use wireframing tools such as Balsamiq before working in Photoshop.

The “design” is an important part of our analogic life. What is the role of the designer in our digital life?

As we are increasingly relying on digital products better designs that hide complexities for the user are becoming increasingly important too.

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?

It certainly helps but one cannot know everything about everything – research and collaboration can compensate for this.

In which way do you make a difference between User Interface and user experience?

Both go hand in hand, an interface without considering the possibilities of how users might use it does not last for long.

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?

Relationship with developers can be challenging. Communicating the vision to developers is not easy. Patience and having the skill to describe one thing in many ways can be helpful – both don’t come easy.

How do you think that your career and job will evolve in the next 5 years?

Design will increasingly become mobile centric.

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?

Certainly, go have a look at any government web application.

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 is excellent platforms to learn, collaborate and getting involved in exciting projects.

What book would you advice to a Junior Designer?

Research, practice and be innovative.

Always as far as advices: what tools for the design? What tools for the projects management ?

Pen, notebook, Balsamiq, Photoshop and Illustrator.