Interview with the creative mind behind "design fckr"
He has done it again! Recently the creative mind that brought us CSS Beauty launched another online community and resource. Dfckr.com is my latest daily addictive community based source of inspiration, news and resources – this one with a ridiculously creative focus on design. Dfkcr is a publication created with the intention of keeping track of design related news and resources. I had the opportunity this past weekend to interview Alex of ‘dfckr’ about his latest and greatest creation.
Martin: Alex, so what is with the name? Is it “design fckr” or “dfckr” and what are you trying to say or imply with “fckr”?
Alex: It’s “design fckr”. I wanted a name that would catch people’s attention and get them interested. I’m not necessarily trying to imply anything except for the fact that design itself in my opinion is a lot about expression. Initially I wanted to have the tagline read “because we all love doing it”. I figure people would take that the wrong way.
Martin: Where did you the get the great idea? You’ve managed to master the delivery of inspiration. What is your inspiration in providing inspiration? What is your purpose?
Alex: I wouldn’t say the site has “mastered” the delivery of inspiration, there are plenty of great portal and blogs that offer similar content however I wanted to do it my own way. I love reading and learning about all the different mixed media out there, I like to remind myself there’s much more to design than what I experience everyday.
Martin: What does dfckr do that you couldn’t do with CSS Beauty, why a separate site?
Alex: DFCKR allows me to step outside the “web design” box and forces me to learn about other types of media. You might argue I could have extended CSS Beauty to include this type of content; however I don’t think that would have made sense, CSS Beauty is “web design” focused and it will stay that way.
Martin: How do you think dfckr will be different in 12 months from dckr today? What do you want the site to grow into? Any future plans?
Alex: I don’t think DFCKR will change much in the next year; my plans are to keep it updated and maintain visitors interested. In the long term I would love to see DFCKR become a place that helps novice illustrators, painters, graphic designers, be discovered and be recognized.
Martin: How do you market or promote?
Alex: For the initial launch I used CSS Beauty as a way to promote it. Besides that I don’t plan on advertising or promoting the site anywhere.
Martin: Between all your side projects, work and living life – how do you make time for it all?
Alex: I sleep less than most people?
Martin: Alex, thank you for taking the time – for someone who can’t make time to sleep, I do really appreciate it. I think DFCKR is a great idea and I commend you for taking the time to put it together, maintaining and keeping it growing with everyday.
It is sites like DFCKR and CSS Beauty that really help shape this industry – we are stronger as a group than we are as an individual. Without the inspirations of others, we are stuck within our own limitations of creativity – inspiration is what drives us! If you are not keeping up with the industry, are you really apart of it?
- January 25th, 2007
- 9comments
- I am a proud member of the 9rules network
I randomly came across DFCKR from another site on my Blog roll, and have since then followed it devoutly! Coudal and Houtlust are two other feeds well worth keeping up to date with. Coudal being a more generalised design site and Houtlust focusing on Social Advertising campaigns. I follow DFCKR because it kicks up some stuff I would never otherwise find (that Etsy site was awesome) and the Illustrations provide good jump points for further browsing.
Aaron,
I completely agree! What I think I do love most is the seeing stuff that I wouldn’t otherwise find on my own; especially some of that really creative advertising. I guess a good question that I didn’t ask Alex was, Where do you find this stufg?!?. I suppose that might also be giving away his secrets — I do know he references a lot of the location in which he found stuff though, on occasion.
Martin it’s so fun for me, as an artistic sort, to have the tech side slide over enough to appreciate and enjoy it. It is almost like the days when I waited for the new CA to come, it’s very nice, thanks.
Pamela, I agree –> it is great when those worlds collide — I think that is what makes being a “web designer” so much fun. You really get the play with it all and try and take it all in.
Great interview, Martin (and Alex)!
Thanks Jason.
When do I get an interview from the creative mind behind the successful refresh dc group that everyone is talking about?
Haha, as soon as I find him, I’ll let you know… ;-)
Great job! RE: refresh dc guy..I think I know where to find him! :) Might be good considering its the one year anniversary of Refresh DC in Feb
Thanks Cindy. I hear I have to make an appointment with his secretary — he is very busy these days.