If you frequent Twitter and are a design enthusiast, you have likely heard the name Andy Sowards (or AndySowards.com) at least once. Andy, a web developer, programmer, self-proclaimed Web 2.0 hipster and father of three, is well-known for his expertise in web design. His useful tweets, inspirational blog content and all-around generous, nice-guy personality have quickly propelled him to Twitter icon status. Here, Andy takes some time out of his very busy schedule to answer my questions about design, business and the future.

Andy Sowards: Web designer, programmer and dad.

1. What do you do to build your blog community?
I tweet. A lot. Well, that’s not the only thing I do. I try to utilize social media as much as I can because those things really help you get your name out and are pretty much the best free forms of advertising that small businesses and freelancers can get. Of course, social media and advertising will yield you nothing if your blog is bland, boring, and barren of content. Content is king. But not any content. It has to be fresh, original, creative, and constantly updated. I try to fill my blog with insightful resources that people can get use out of, and feel the need to come back again and again for that same type of helpfulness. I also try to write tutorials, scripts, roundups and hold contests that are relevant and useful to the design/development/programming communities and contribute to the web design industry as a whole. I also try to show my passion and excitement for what I do because I love it, and I want others to love it as well. Without that passion backing you up, you’re just another blog.

AndySowards.com

2. Can you explain the inspiration behind your site’s theme? It seems very industrial and possibly radioactive? Would you say this is an accurate observation?
I would say that is fairly accurate; good job. Honestly, about a year ago when I first entertained the idea of setting up a portfolio/blog site to build my brand, I just wanted something different. I looked at a ton of sites out there before I even began to do anything. I kept seeing the same elements in them, and they all had pretty generic, or neutral themes, or no theme at all. I found a few sites that were extremely themed and amazing. One of those sites I admired very much (and still do) was www.komodomedia.com. Rogie King has done an excellent job of theming that site to the T. I wanted to have an extremely themed site that was like no one else, and I did not see any ‘post apocalyptic/industrial/radioactive epidemic’ themed sites, so I figured, “Why not,” started building the design, and I got really into it; I liked it. So I kept going with it, and just recently redesigned the site into version 2 (which is almost done). (See the Redesign: Part I.) The story behind the site, in my mind, is that it’s a depiction of a post-apocalyptic world that was destroyed by a virus; kind of like all the zombie movies we see all the time.

I figured it tied in well with the whole ‘viral’ aspect of our social media sites and blogging these days. So I try to keep the theme consistent throughout the site, kind of like how I have the whole, “You are Infected! Spread the Epidemic,” tagline at the end of each post with the social media buttons.

3. Do anything special to keep business booming?
Nothing out of the ordinary. When the site was launched the first few months were a little slow, but things picked up pretty quickly thanks to Twitter and I have had a steady stream of business coming in ever since; I am very happy and thankful for that. I do have a few good developer/designer friends that will often get me to collaborate on projects with them when they need an intricate programming aspect or need something done that fits my style or something of that nature. I also have a few very good friends that will send some referrals my way from time to time as well. So things are thankfully, pretty steady. I basically keep getting my name out there and provide a quality service and product that keeps my clients happy about their sites, talking about how much they love their sites and coming back for more, which is really the key to any business.

Where the epidemic begins.

4. How have social media sites like Twitter and blogs, affected your business?
They have drastically affected my business in a good way. Before I started my site, I really had no idea how I was going to get my name out there. But as soon as I started tweeting my first tweets and interacting with the people on Twitter, I quickly realized that this is how it was going to happen. People on Twitter are so friendly and willing to help; its really an amazing place. Pretty much 80% of my business is Twitter-related in some way shape or form. Also, being featured on other blogs is always a plus. Whether it be for your site design, your sites content or because of the things you share on a daily basis; it is always helpful to your business. As long as you portray yourself and your brand properly: Don’t act cocky, be honest, always be grateful and it will always be a plus for your brand. Also, always help others, whether it be sharing your knowledge or answering their questions. They will remember it and they will remember you. Be kind.

5. I think it is safe to say you are Twitter design community “celeb”. Are you enjoying your celebrity status? Will you use your influence for good or evil?
Wow, you are too kind! I am enjoying the exposure that Twitter has granted me for the moment, it’s always fun to see your name mentioned in random posts around the web (gotta’ love Google Alerts); always a surprise and an honor.
Haha, as much as I want to say I will use it for evil, I will probably not. I hope that the exposure just helps me to reach more designers, developers and programmers so that I can help them in some way improve upon something. Whether it be Photoshop, CSS or Programming an app in PHP, I want to help people have a better understanding of the tools they use everyday, so that we can all browse a happier and more efficient internet in the next 5-10 years.

6. Would you say you have a hunger for web design? If so, when was it born?
I would say that I have a thirst for web design, just because I am always more thirsty than I am hungry. But yes, I love web design. The internet is my passion! I’d have to say this all started back in my high school days, I was a nerd, of course, so I took all the computer classes my high school had to offer. But, I went to a really small private school and not a whole lot of classes like that were available; we only had Computer, and Advanced Computer. LOL. In our classes it really didn’t ever focus on design at all, but mainly coding and programming with things like Basic and regular old HTML for creating web pages. I got into that stuff and really liked it. Then when I reached college, I had this idea that you had to be really good at graphic design to be a web designer, so I took some graphic design classes in college, and really liked that too. Then I did some research and found out that I could learn both Design and Coding/Programming and then I could have a full understanding of websites! So the rest is history, I kept learning as much as I could about design and development through my college years and here I am today! Morale of the story is keep learning, practicing and never give up. The end.

7. Where do you hope you will be in 2019?
Whoa, that’s 10 years from now. Hmm, good question. I would have to say that I definitely see myself being involved with a revolutionary start-up (hopefully, as co-founder or founder) that is, hopefully, gaining popularity, or has already gained it. I will also still be blogging, freelancing and helping everyone I can along the way.
So, hopefully there are more than 24 hours in a day at that point too, because I will be way busy. LOL. I will probably have more than three kids by then, too; who knows!

8. Name three web sites you endorse.
Ready, Set, Go!
1. www.abduzeedo.com: Mad respect for Fabio and the trail that he blazed.
2. www.smashingmagazine.com: Again, super talented people with super high quality content.
3. www.xkcd.com: Super hilarious, and super nerdy web comic; this has gotten me through some rough days. LOL.

9. Was there ever a time you thought, “I can’t,” but did? How did you break through to the other side?
Almost every day. LOL. It’s all a part of learning. You are always going to come up against something that you don’t know a whole lot or anything about. Whenever I get that feeling I just think back to all the things I thought I couldn’t do, but did. I just close the blinds, crank some tunes, research the issue and dive into it with an, “I can figure this out,” attitude. Nine times out of 10, you really can do it. Believe in yourself!

10. What is the hardest design lesson you have learned?
Quantity does not always equal quality.

More information about Andy Sowards:
Five Questions with Andy Sowards – Web Designer Magazine
Freelancer Interview: Andy Sowards – GuerrillaFreelancing.com
Twitter Face-Off: Calvin Lee vs. Andy Sowards – GraceSmith.com
You can also follow Andy on Twitter @AndySowards.

More MonaEve Design Blog interviews:
The Maestro Behind a Creative Opera