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Martin Ringlein Interview

Dec 10, 06:57 PM by Marko

Martin Ringlein Interview

Interivew with Martin Ringlein at marylandmedia.com

Marko: Helo m8 ! For our reader’s could you tell something about yourself? (year old and other stuff)

Martin: My name is Martin Ringlein; I am a Washington D.C. Creative Director, web designer and standards advocate. After graduating from the University of Maryland (Go Terps!) – I started my career off as one of six web designers working with one of the world’s largest television networks, Discovery Communications, Inc. I have spent the last several years within a Creative Director role; using, teaching, and promoting clean design with the use of CSS and web standards.

Marko: How are you doing these days?

Martin: Things have been great! Business is good and the opportunities are endless. This is an amazing time to be a creative director and web designer.

Marko: when did you first encounter a keyboard or computer?

Martin: When I was in elementary school; there was an Apple computer lab. Who remembers the Oregon Trail game (probably a US reference only)?

Marko: What is your favorite art work /website!?

Martin: My favorite artist is Van Gogh; I enjoy his “Wheatfield with crows”. My favorite (or at least my most visited) two professional websites would be www.cssbeauty.com and www.dontmeetyourheroes.com.

Marko: When you launched marylandmedia.com are you happy with the result of the site?

Martin: I don’t believe a designer is ever truly happy with his work, it always seems to be missing something or could use a little more. However it received thousands of visitors a month from the day it first launched. It was showcased on half a dozen sites and got an overwhelmingly positive response; so I am extremely pleased with it.

Marko: If you could change something on the site what would it be?

Martin: I am answering that question right now! I am adding a blog to the site with sort musing from myself and my colleagues. I also plan on making the portfolio section a little more pleasing, getting away from the “boxiness” of it all.

Marko: What do you do in your spare time (We realize that spare time, in this context)

Martin: When I am not within the confines of my office between 9 to 5;I am a novice photographer, freelance web designer and proud owner of a 7 month old puppy “puggle”.

Marko: Do you have a favorite drink? How much of it do you drink?

Martin: I was never really a Starbucks fan prior to owning a dog. However, now that I have joined the early morning crowd at the dog park, a hot chia latte definitely hits the spot.

Marko: Would you care to give us a brief overview of what a typical day is like for Martin Ringlein?

Martin: The morning starts off walking my puppy and then driving into the office. I spend the majority of my day planning and directing redesigns for Cygnus Business Media. When free time allows, I catch up on email and research/read the latest industry articles.

Marko: I am always wondering how people such as yourself go about getting work? How do you do it?

Martin: There are two amazing methods to getting work; one is referrals (nothing more powerful) and the other is Craig’s List. This is assuming your portfolio and communication skills are up to par.

Marko: Who are some of your biggest influences?

Martin: Zeldman of course! I also admire Bowman and Davidson. All of the contributors to CSS Beauty and most of the guys on my design team; they are always pushing the envelope on new technologies and design strategies.

Marko: Is your background in design? What was the progression into web development and design like?

Martin: I started College as a Computer Science major, but I got my degree in Advertising & Graphic Design. I first got into HTML when helping a girl I had a crush on with a class project. I quickly picked it up and easily incorporated my photoshop skills into high impact websites. I was transitioned into a web design position early on when first applying for print design work. The rest is history and now I can’t imagine doing any else.

Marko: If you where not a designer/programmer what would you be?

Martin: I would definitely have ended up in Advertising; Television or print advertising.

Marko: How do you like our site mcville.net?

Martin: It is a nice site, there is a little more white space than I typically like to see. I have no objection to a clean site, but things seem a little unorganized. Maybe I am expecting a little more color or helpful layout guides. It is clean and well presented: I just get the impression that some things were highly thought out and others were sort of rushed on the page.

Marko: What kind of music do you fancy?

Martin: I listen to everything, however Alternative is by far what I “fancy”. I love the older stuff, “Offspring”, “Nirvana”, “Beastie Boys”, “Sublime” and “Blink 182”.

Marko: What’s your favorite food?

Martin: I am originally from San Diego, California and there is nothing better than fresh Carnitas from “Porkyland” on Logan Ave.

Marko: Where do you get out on Saturday’s?

Martin: I am fortunate enough to live in the heart of Washington, DC. A great city with an amazing nightlife, Adams Morgan’s “The Reef” and its rooftop are were I am mostly likely to be found on a Saturday.

Marko: Chinese or Thai (food)?

Martin: I was recently introduced to Thai and I often easily describe it as a pleasant alternative to Chinese – it is one of my favorite foods. If you are ever in DC, I recommend “Regents” at 18th and S.

Marko: Coke or Pepsi?

Martin: What a great question. I prefer Coke to Pepsi, but I would much rather have a Diet Pepsi over a Diet Coke. I am often ridiculed by my colleagues, but I do enjoy a “half-and-half”, have coke and have diet coke.

Marko: html or css?

Martin: Well… I am assuming the real question would be x/html or css; and what is the question anyway? Do you have one without the other? They are two separate things needed to control separate entities to make a proper website. I’d say there is more creativity involved in my style sheets than in my mark-up. I try to keep most of my mark-up the same across all of my projects; sort of like living in a zen-garden world.

Marko: Do you watch television? If so, do you have a favorite show?

Martin: Of course, Television is a staple of my daily activities. Unfortunately I don’t catch as much of it as I used too. Currently my favorite show would have to be “the office”; it reminds me of where I work.

Marko: What would we find in your favorites bookmarks-bar?

Martin: The typical; all of the css showcase sites, Zeldman, Davidson, Clark, etc. I mainly frequent sites that offer visual inspiration and technical reading to keep me up-to-date. www.cssbeauty.com would have to be my favorite

Marko: What inspires you? This doesn’t have to be design related.

Martin: Advertising inspires me most. When I see something visual that actually evokes emotion and action. All of the css showcase sites really get my excited about design; I love watching people push the limits of design and code.

Marko: Thanks for the interview cheers!

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