Author: Tiara Rea

This issue of the Lunarpages Newsletter seems to primarily be focusing on web design, and though we didn’t intend for it to do so, it’s a great resource for all the webmasters out there who are not design inclined (myself included). And so with those thoughts in mind, I chose a really massive website for this month’s site interview. If you know anything about flash website design, you have either heard of or stood in awe of MindSmack, the top flash web design company in the world.

These guys have worked with the big boys like Citibank, Doritos, and for clients specializing in flash ads for sites like Myspace, etc.

So yeah, they’re huge. So let’s get down to business and chat with Samuel Garrett Feuer of MindSmack!

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer some questions for me, Sam! So what’s your official title at MindSmack? Are you CEO, owner, design guru extraordinaire?

President/CEO; my lead design guru extrordinaire is Marcelo Moyano.

Tell us a bit about MindSmack – what kinds of services do you provide and how long have you been in business?

Well, we have been Smacking Minds since 1999

We specialize in elite web design, interactive flash animation, high end 3d, advertising design, illustration, programming, ecommerce, php, asp.net, AJAX, character design, animation, banner ads, html email, landing pages, interactive games, video games, logo design, development, JAVA, FLEX, flash web design, html, javascript, xml, web development, corporate web design, Internet marketing, corporate identity, multimedia and web strategy

The name “MindSmack” is extremely catchy and very memorable, which is so important in your industry. How did you come up with it?

My cousin Jamey and I were brainstorming firecracker words that we loved and were powerful. He put those 2 words together and I was blown away. The rest is web history.

How long have you been hosting with Lunarpages and how have you found the experience?

We have been hosting and a partner of LunarPages for over 7 years. We always highly recommend clients to LP and have had the best experiences with their service and availibility.

Your company’s logo and mascot are very unique and about as memorable as your name – can you tell us a bit about them and the process of choosing the right image to represent your distinctive brand?

Thanks! We started with a 2d version that James Farr (Disney alumni) drew about 9 years ago. Then it evolved over the years into this awesome 3d dude we like to call MindSmack MAX.

How big is your company and how have you guys grown over the years?

We currently employ 54 people in house and have access to 100′s of freelancers throughout the world for specific niche projects as needed. I started out with just me designing banner advertisements while working for a media company in NYC. I branched out and began hiring freelancers to do the work for me as I personally enjoy the business side of things alot more. It grew steadily to where I hired my first few employees. Now we are about to open a penthouse office on 43rd st in Times Sqaure, New York City complete with roof deck on the 18th floor. It is amazing what you can do if you believe in your abilities, your team and truly never give up.

There are many webmasters who read the Lunarpages Newsletter who aren’t design-savvy but would love to have a great-looking website. Short of signing a contract to work with you what is the best advice you can give them for getting started?

Best thing you can do is find 3 sites you love the design of and 1 site you love the functionality of. Then formulate a phase 1 word document that outlines the scope of the project as you see and feel it. Lay it out so that you can do the phase 1 without breaking the bank and then add to it in pieces as you become ready.

And let’s say they’re ready to sign up with you instead: do you have any discounts you can offer for Lunarpages customers who may need the services you provide?

Mention LunarPages and get 5% off any size order. If the order is the worlds first $1,000,000,000 website, you will STILL get a 5% savings (a $50,000,000 discount!)

[Whoooa!!]

Recently, you worked with Doritos to create a unique website for one of their campaigns. Can you tell us about this project and what it entailed?

This project was smackin’ cool because it let my team showcase all types of different elite skills. We did post production, editing of the videos and worked with flash and after effects to create the video animations and site transitional effects. Was alot of fun! We always look forward to the most cutting edge stuff to work on.

What other cool projects have you worked on in the past?

We have launched the following sites recently:

http://www.PrivatePass.CITI.com – full site and content management system.

http://www.Marines.com – full flash site and blog

http://www.SecureWatch24.com – full flash site and content managemnet system. this site includes one of the coolest 3d animted movies and sound pieces we have made to date. the intro sequence you see when the site first loads is 100% 3d ONLY. Nothing is REAL but it CERTAINLY feels REAL.

http://www.JackDennis.net – full flash site and content management system. This site includes the coolest interactive media player the world has ever seen and it is content manageable.

You’ve worked with some of the biggest companies out there for some really incredible campaigns and website designs. Do you have a favorite website, logo, or graphic design you’ve worked on?

Each project is unique and exciting for us. For an AD project I LOVE:

http://www.mindsmack.com/clients/eyeblaster/censored_chicken_web.htm

However, overall there is not 1 specific that I can say is my favorite because we put so much into every project and each has its own level of complexity. We put our all into everything we do and it shows in the final product.

When a customer comes to you for website or logo design, what kind of information is most helpful to you in providing them the best assistance?

The best thing a client can do is give us detailed information about what they envision being optimal for their project. Every client has their own idea as to what their eye loves. We need to understand that so we can give them something they envision without designing it themselves. This is a key factor for everything we do here. We give clients a detailed questionaire to fill out to ensure we are on the same page before starting work.

What is your design process like? Where do you start?

It depends on how we are contacted. 95% of our business comes from word of mouth. If we get a contact through our site form then an email is sent out to the potential client within 10 minutes of getting their information. This is the followed up by a phone call by one of my staff and depending on the project, I will personally call any potential client that I think sounds like a perfect fit or something never before done on the web, etc. I am always excited to discuss ventures that are pushing the limits of technology, that is my passion and dedication to this business and all of our clients.

What are your favorite design tools to use on your projects?

Adobe CS3 package, Autodesk, Maya, 3d Studio MAX and thats pretty much all we need for the MindSmackin’.

What tools would you recommend for web designers just getting started and/or for those who want to take their designs to the next level?

Adobe CS3 package

Your company obviously has massive talent in a variety of art fields. Besides website and related internet design, what other kinds of artistic endeavors do you guys participate in?

We do a ton of TV and commercial animation for clients like NICK, Time Warner and PEPSI. Some of our people are true artists and create paintings, screensavers, architectural models for 3d environments, sound design, webisodes, anything video related including actual location shoots in NYC and LA and we can also bake a cake while standing on our heads if asked.

[hehe, send us pictures if that happens!]

And now for some fun, because it wouldn’t be a Lunarpages interview with this stuff!

Would you prefer:

Saturday Morning Cartoons or Adult Swim?

If it was the mid to late eighties I would 1000000000000000% say Saturday morning cartoon’age. There was nothing like grabbing a gigantic bowl of honeycombs with my older brothers and watching Spider Man and his Amazing Friends! The only thing I personally watch on Adult Swim is Family Guy which I think is the best cartoon in the history of television.

[Agreed!!]

French fries or potato chips?

If its NATHANS french fries I choose Nathans. If its CHARLES’ CHIPS sour cream and onion I choose those! If you had both on the table, i would most likely go for the CHARLES’.

Sight or sound?

SIGHT. I am a VISUAL person. Need to see you, if I didnt hear you I would get by.

Building a site from scratch or revamping an old favorite?

SCRATCH, We HATE TEMPLATES!!!

Coffee or tea?

Coffee from my wife’s in house cafe.

Crayons or paint?

Paint fo’ shizzle.

A buffet in Vegas or breakfast in bed?

Breakfast in bed please. Thanks.

A movie night or live theatre?

It TRULY depends on the movie. Gotta be more specific here people!

Mexican or Italian? (can you tell I’m starving as a write this?)

I grew up in Bensonhurst Brooklyn in NY. Its all about the italian f00d.

Holidays or sick days?

Holidays

Reading or writing?

Lets go with writing.

The beach or the mountains?

The turquoise waters of Maui.

Alright, much as I hate to, we have to end the interview, but thanks so much for your time. We’ve really enjoyed the interview, and I know our customers will really appreciate your services! ;D