Interview with John O’Nolan
May 5, 2010
John O’Nolan is a seasoned web designer, writer and entrepreneur based in Surrey in the United Kingdom. He specialises in graphic design, CSS, and WordPress development.
I was born in Aberdeen in Scotland, but I grew up in the Hague in Holland, then I spent most of my school years in Manila in The Philippines.
How long have you been working as a designer?
Well I started drawing like most kids at a very early age, then got myself into all the advanced art classes at school. Designing was really just the next step up from that as I already had a very comprehensive background with computers (it runs in the family). Professionally speaking I’ve been doing paid design work for about 5 years now.
What kind of art do you prefer?
Great question, I’m not actually sure! Art has always frustrated me because of its lack of a (fixed) meaning. Almost everything to do with art is open to interpretation, but I really prefer stuff to have a set message – which is why I love design. In terms of design style across a range of mediums, I’m a big fan of modernism and minimalism but neither of those translate across to the art world, where it all starts getting very abstract.
Freelancer or professional webdesigner? May you give us your opinions?
I don’t really consider myself to be a freelancer. While I do most of the client work that comes my way, and I work from a home office – I’m also incorporated as a limited company, and I regularly contract/subcontract/employ other people. Eventually I’d like to grow my business(es) to a size where I have an office and full time staff, so I’d say that I’d describe myself as more of an entrepreneur.
Have you ever use a stock photo? Where have you bought it?
I have occasionally bought a few icons from istockphoto.com – usually I buy stock as and when it’s required for a project. I also very much enjoy taking my own photos, so I try and do that whenever possible.
What are your plans to the future? What work are you going to?
I have a lot of client work on at the moment, so much in fact that I’m getting very little sleep. For the rest of 2010 the plan is launch a side-business that I’ve been working very hard to get off the ground. Eventually I hope that will become my main business and main source of income, but that’s about all I can say about it right now.
And last an easygoing question. What meaning do photos have for you?
I think that this depends a lot on the photo, but generally speaking I love them. In the world of web design it certainly makes a big difference when you come across a site with professional photography.
