Gatorworks | Baton Rouge Web Design & Development

Last week Michael Hecht, President/CEO of GNO, Inc., was gracious enough to take time out of his busy schedule to speak to the EO Accelerator group. GNO, Inc. spearheads economic development for the ten parish Greater New Orleans area. Hecht’s speech was very inspiring, and it reminded us all that New Orleans really is a great place. Unfortunately, since Katrina (and even before) many people of the region focus so heavily on the negative aspects of the city. GNO, Inc. put together the “Greater New Orleans Reality Check” which highlights a quick punch list of positive aspects of the city.

One of the recent initiatives that Hecht and his staff are working on is the Greater New Orleans Digital Media Alliance. Hecht’s goal for The Greater New Orleans Digital Media Alliance will be to market the metro area to technology companies, advocate policies that support those firms, and work with universities to develop curricula that support the technology industry. The Times-Picayunne recently covered the story here.

I look forward to following GNO, Inc.’s initiatives as they help re-build the New Orleans business community.

In late April 2008, I attended An Event Apart in New Orleans. Firstly, let me just say that the conference was one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional life; I highly recommend it to any web professional. After the first day of lectures, (mt) Media Temple hosted a party for all conference attendees and presenters at Crescent City Brewhouse. While there, I had the extraordinary opportunity to meet Jeffrey Zeldman (Godfather of Web Standards) and even talk with him for awhile.

Jeffrey Zeldman. Photo by Adrian Q.

I, of course, complimented him on his lecture and told him how much I was enjoying the conference (and the free beer). After the pleasantries, I wanted to ask him a few questions that couldn’t possibly be better answered by anyone else in the industry. I asked him how to overcome that feeling of “average-ness” that new designers often experience. To which he concisely replied, “Almost everyone goes through that. Just keep working hard.” I then asked him my #1 most important question, “How do you get your clients to listen to you?” His answer was perfectly on point:

“Always bring it back to the user.”

I won’t go into what he said after that, but that statement alone was profound enough for it to change my entire perspective on web design. When Zeldman told me to bring it back to the user, he wasn’t just giving me a method for convincing clients that my design motives were legitimate. He was also swiftly pointing out one of my own flaws as a designer: I had been designing for my clients, instead of for their users. After I realized that, I’d swear I saw a heavenly light shining down on him and could faintly hear the hymn of angels.

Since then, I’ve changed. My designs are almost exclusively centered around the user’s experience, instead of purely aesthetics. It’s better to let the appearance of the site come more as a function of the interface design, instead of just “making sure it looks pretty.” Besides, simple is beautiful.

I’ll never forget what Jeffrey Zeldman said to me that night. And I truly hope it’s something other designers (and clients) can take to heart as well.

P.S. - Happy Birthday to my brother, Spencer. :)

On November 1, 2008, Prospect.1 New Orleans [P.1], the largest biennial of international contemporary art ever organized in the United States, will open to the public in museums, historic buildings, and found sites throughout New Orleans. Prospect.1 New Orleans [P.1] has been conceived in the tradition of the great international biennials, and will showcase new artistic practices as well as an array of programs benefiting the local community. Over the course of its eleven-week run, Prospect.1 New Orleans [P.1] plans to draw international media attention, creative energy, and new economic activity to the city of New Orleans.

Check out blogger Blake Killian’s interview with Prospect.1 Curator Dan Cameron below:

Check out the list of the participating artists and the list of the participating venues. I know I plan to attend this wonderful event, and I encourage all of you to check it out as well!