Interview: Vicky Gourgouri

Personal website: http://cssaddict.com/

For start of this interview - can you tell us more about yourself - career, life, news, other stuff?…

I’m a web designer based in Thessaloniki, Greece and have been working on the web since 1998. I started my career in the UK after I took my MA in Computing. Having a background in History of Art, my first degree, somehow helped me to get involved with design and combine the two disciplines. At first, I worked for a printer, the Invicta Press in Kent, for 4 years and then I came back to Greece to continue what I was doing. I got involved with web standards and CSS/XHTML development in 2004. and realized I had to attend a college to follow the latest trends, which I managed to do a year later. On July 2007. I started working as a freelancer and since then I am busier than ever. I never thought I was ever going to do so well and get so much work over the internet.

When did you start designing, and what was the main reason for that?

I started designing in 1997. during my Master’s degree. The degree was focused on creating a language teaching software (the course also covered some Internet based technologies). I found myself working mostly on the design of the project rather than the project itself :P. A few months later I found a job as a web designer, before even handing in my dissertation, and ever since I’m totally devoted to it.

What is the most interesting thing that you work on, in this moment?

I now work for quite a few projects, a couple of them are the front-end design of web 2.0 applications, for which I had to sign a Non Disclosure Agreement, so I cannot say much. The others are mostly Wordpress based websites for individual companies & advertising programs, which I suspect you will see them at my portfolio soon.

Which part of your career or project would you call “the best of me”?

This is definitely, by far, the best part of my career as I have the chance to work with very talented people around the World and learn even more on my field. Being a freelancer gives me the freedom to plan my time according to my schedule. I have more time to relax, study and play with my designs. Going solo has helped me advance my skills to the direction I want.

What do you think about women in web design in general?

It seems like we are a minority in the web design industry and we don’t see us as often as our male counterparts. I haven’t come across many female web designers throughout my career either. I do believe that there are more women in web design that we are currently aware of. This is a great place to find them!

Do you have your favorite female colleague or a designer whose work you admire?

Molly E. Holzschlag is my heroine!

When did you launched your website/blog and what is the most important thing that you accomplished with it?

I launched my website on September 2007. just to showcase my work. I felt the need to redesign it 3 months ago as I also wanted to turn it into a blog. I managed to get some really good projects through it.

What are your daily reads and favorite bookmarks?

I like Stylegala and A list apart for daily reads, but I can’t deny that I find myself poking my friends on facebook during my breaks…

What are the most interesting things that your readers and visitors don’t know about you?

I’m a party animal!!

What is your main inspiration?

Inspiration is everywhere, if you look closely!

Who is your favorite artist?

I like impressionism and especially Manet in his early years for his technique on using the black color too much.

Is there anything that you don’t like about your job?

Nope! I love my job. And the more I learn on how to handle any hick ups, the more I fall in love with it!

Can you tell us something about your hobbies and things that you do in you spare time?

I love cooking… I practice this hobby every day! I also like driving… Sometimes, while I’m on a job, I drop it all, get into my small Ford Ka and drive to my grandparents’ place or down the beach. I pick up from where I left and get it all done faster.

What kind of music do you prefer?

Depends on the mood! Bet you’ve heard this before but it is so true. I can listen to any mambo jumbo you can think of, if I’m in that mood.

What is your favorite travel destination?

I visit the UK once or twice a year and I travel around Greece a lot. The country is rich in landscapes I haven’t seen yet..

Do you have any message for people at the beginning of their career in designing?

Yes! Be prepared to keep learning and follow the latest technologies as you grow up. Try to turn bad criticism into constructive criticism for your own personal and professional development. Don’t let yourself get discouraged by anything or anyone! If you like it, then go for it!

What do you think about cssprincess.com?

What I really liked about this website, is that you bring on the surface the women that work in this industry and this is something we all need to see.