GraphicsIQ’s Champions of Graphic Design series features in-depth interviews with the movers and shakers in today’s Web graphics design industry, the design evangelists who work tirelessly to ensure that good graphic design stays at the forefront of the Web community. 

This installment features Mordy Golding, how-to author and Adobe’s resident Illustrator guru. Mordy recently took some time to discuss what’s good – and bad – in today’s graphics design and the importance of creatively mixing art with technology. The ultimate goal, he says, is to leverage the latest technologies to create designs that illustrate the very best the Web has to offer.

1. What got you started/interested in graphic design? What is your background?

Well, I was always the "creative" type (or so my mother says). And one day, my dad brought home our first computer -- an IBM PC Jr. I realized then that one day computers would be able to be used to create art. I've always been fascinated by technology -- the mix of art and technology was something incredible to me (it still is today). Out of college, I went into the graphic arts industry doing production work for corporate design. I've also authored how-to books and provided training, before joining Adobe as product manager for Illustrator.

-- Mordy Golding, Adobe

2. Does graphic design for print differ markedly from graphic design for the Web? Design for print and the Web are similar in many ways, yet they are also very different. Let me explain. Good design is good design, no matter where or how it's presented. So the same rules that apply to good design in print apply to the Web as well. Just because you can add soft drop shadows on anything doesn't mean that it's good design to do so. At the same time, a designer can take advantage of the two different mediums to best communicate a design. The Web's interactivity allows for animation, calls to action from the reader and more -- for a designer not to be thinking about those things during the design process is bad. At the same time, parts of the print process, like the ability to choose a paper, formats, folds, die stamps, special inks and so on offer print a specific experience that the Web can't touch.

3. What do you see as some of the best characteristics of graphic design on the Web? Do any sites stand out?

If I have to sum it up in one word, it's ‘simplicity.’ Let's face it, you can't have elegance on a Web site -- it's still a computer screen. But simplicity is of utmost importance. Sites that are complex and rich in content that are simple and clean to read, navigate and explore are the best kinds of sites out there. Sites like Apple.com, Gap.com, Buick.com are examples of deep sites that are clean, clear and don't appear overwhelming.

4. What are some pet peeves you have about today's Web graphic designers and designs? What's awful?

There's plenty of bad design out there, but what really gets to me is when designer's don't take advantage of the technology that's available to them. Designers too often use large graphics that are hard to download and hard to update. If a designer doesn't truly understand how the Web works, it shows in their designs. It seems that designer's get comfortable with the way a certain workflow or idea works, and they stick with it over and over again. I can't tell you how many people I run into who are still using Photoshop 4 and Illustrator 6 to get their design work done. If you want to create great Web sites for today, you need to push the envelope and embrace new technology.

5. How important is the tool you use when building graphics for the Web? (Sometimes it seems as though Photoshop and Illustrator are virtually interchangeable - but why would you use one over the other?)

You choose an interesting question to ask an Illustrator product manager. Like it or not, a Web designer has to understand the technology of the Web and the tools they use. Just like a great print designer has to know how printing works. Just like a great baseball pitcher has to understand the mechanics and physics of throwing a baseball. If a designer truly understands what Illustrator does and what Photoshop does, and they understand the medium they are designing for, it's never a question of WHY I would use one or the other, but WHEN I would use one -- or maybe I would use both (my choice personally).

6. What are some do's and don'ts when it comes to using type on the Web? Are there some common mistakes you see that are easy to avoid?

When using small type, make sure antialiasing is turned off -- otherwise text appears fuzzy and hard to read. Also, remember that words are on a Website to communicate something (usually), so readability is of utmost importance. It's hard enough to drive people to visit a site to begin with -- if they can't read it easily or get the point right away, they're on to another site.

7. What technology, innovation or development could take Web-based graphic design to the next level?

I believe that data-base driven Websites and designs are poised to redefine how a user experiences the Web. Technologies like Flash -- and particularly the XML-based SVG format -- allow Web designers and back-end developers to work together to allow for the next generation of art mixed with technology.

8. Who is your hero of Web/graphic art design? Is there someone out there today who just 'gets it'?

His name is Drew Rayman, of i33 Communications in New York. He's a visionary who started in corporate design for print, but quickly realized the potential of the Web. More than just pure design, Drew understands how business works -- and how great design can communicate great business, especially on the Web. He makes the Web relevant.

9. Look into your crystal ball. What do you see as the future of Web graphic design?

I don't think it takes much to see what's happening. Handheld Internet devices, Web-capable cell phones and wireless hotpoints everywhere mean that graphics will find their ways into those places as well. Designers will be tasked with creating graphics that can be effective on a computer screen, a digital billboard, a cell phone, etc.

10. What is your motto when it comes to good graphics design? Any final words of wisdom?