Last updated on July 7th, 2009
University of Florida advertising/journalism student Maria Rubio contacted me recently to interview me about copywriting for a class assignment. She also needed to interview two others, so I referred her to speak with our web design team leader, Gaby Zapien, since copywriters often work very closely with graphic designers.
Here are Gaby’s answers, revealing some great professional insights. Enjoy!
Maria: What does your job entail?
Gaby: Keeping all our sites and clients’ websites up to date and working properly.
Posting any necessary edits, making sure the code is up to the current standards, and also that the visuals are appropriate and eye-catching.
For new projects, I research competitors and the requirements for the site, then build and test, starting with a creative concept that I work on usually with a copywriter at SEO Advantage.
Maria: Walk me through your day.
I start checking emails, because this is the way I receive all the tasks.
Then I prioritize and start tackling one at a time!
Maria: How do you feel your role as a graphic designer enhances SEO Advantage’s or any other company’s website?
Gaby: SEO is mostly based on content and the architecture of the site. But let’s face it, no one likes an “ugly” site. I feel that if the content is presented in the best possible way, the user is more likely to spend more time browsing on the site. Graphics and photographs make content more memorable and help prospects better understand the content. In this way, graphic design supports the goals of the web site by engaging the prospect once the SEO brings the traffic to the site.
Plus, nowadays, designers should also be responsible for site usability and standards compliance. This means I have to make sure that the design and functionality works across browsers and that navigation through the site is clear and the actions we want a site visitor to take are supported by the design and layout elements.
[Ed. note: I love this about Gaby! Many designers I’ve worked with in the past are focused on making your site “pretty” but give no thought to usability. Gaby has a very good sense of how to direct traffic through “paths” on the site and where emphasis needs to be to achieve the business goals of the site.]
Maria: What is your favorite book? Song?
Gaby: There are too many books I like. Fortunately, some of the tasks I perform allow me to listen to audiobboks!
Maria: Do you work from home? If so, do you find it difficult?
Gaby: I do work from home in a sort of “virtual workplace”. Our teams use online tools to communicate and coordinate. I really like it, but it requires a lot of discipline. And sometimes it gets lonely. It does have a lot of advantages, but I think it’s not for everyone.
Maria: What computer software do you swear by to help create your best work?
Gaby: Adobe Photoshop, Dreamweaver.
Maria: Where do you get your inspiration for creative content? If not creative, then where do you get your inspiration to create designs that produce traffic to the site being created?
Gaby: I find inspiration online just browsing other sites. I also notice things in magazines that can give me ideas, but really, inspiration is everywhere. As a graphic designer, I naturally notice how shapes and colors are used no matter what I’m looking at.
Maria: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Gaby: Still in this field. This is something I love. I would definitely be designing, but you may see me building a bigger design group for SEO Advantage employing other designers who can help with production, while I focus more on the creative aspect.
Maria: What is your personal motto, referring to your work style?
Gaby: “Everything can be done. Some things just take a bit more time.”
Maria: If you have one word to describe your personality and work style, what would it be?
Gaby: It would be hard in one word…
I think whoever likes graphic design is really lucky – it’s the kind of job that doesn’t feel like a job, and most times gives you the flexibility to work from home or any place you like!