February 1998: Theodore Hovey

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February 2, 1998

The following article was originally published for the Site Builder Network Workshop (now MSDN Online Web Workshop.)

In this medium, we live in dog years.

Theodore Hovey is production manager for Hurricane Technology Partners, a New York firm that builds private client-server office network environments. The intranet they custom built for Nautica was recently honored as Extranet of the Year at Internet World in New York. Theodore's first experience working within a visual medium was as a style editor, and later art director, for fashion photography. In that work, he says, his input was "somewhat hands off. I concerned myself mainly with conjuring up the appropriate atmosphere, mood, and feeling." Theodore told SBN he began designing Web sites out of necessity. His experience as a site producer meant he had to be able to convey exactly what he wanted to designers and production people. But when he hit an impasse on a project about a year ago, he decided to design the project himself. You can see Theodore's work on Hurricane's Web site . Also, look for his photographic work on the covers of John Rechy's novels, which are being re-released by Grove Press.

SBN: How did you make the transition from site production to design?

Theodore Hovey: It's one of the most exciting things that's happened to me. You sort of throw caution to the wind, pick up the tools and learn how to use them. I had quite a lot of encouragement. I'd been looking over the shoulders of some very talented people, and always seemed to agree with what they were producing. It gave me the confidence to think that Maybe I could attempt similar work.

SBN: When you get a new design assignment, how do you proceed?

Theodore Hovey: I have to assess the current state of the client's public image. What does it have in the way of logos, artwork, or corporate ID? I try to get a feel for what the company likes, what the company looks like, and how it presents itself to the world. Then I ask, "How can we enhance that?" I want to see how we can work to create something new, but something that's also recognizable and branded.

SBN: Where do you find your inspiration?

Theodore Hovey: Consciously, I look to the work of my peers. You need to keep your eyes open. It keeps you on your toes. You must make time to sit back and surf for a few hours during the week. There are many wonderfully talented people out there, and I've had the privilege of working with some of the best - such as Sumin Chou, Ana Thomas, and Pat Tan while I was at Time Warner Electronic Publishing.

But I think that it would be hard to underestimate the subconscious effects that architecture and interior design have on our sensibilities. We're surrounded by environments that can't help but influence the way we feel. Granted, not all of it is pretty -- but even in those cases, there are lines crossing, and swatches of color, texture, and light flashing at every turn.

SBN: Where do you draw the line between site performance and design?

Theodore Hovey: Coming from a firm that specializes in corporate intranets and extranets, I will -- when forced to choose -- always come down on the side of functionality. But that doesn't mean a corporate site can't be attractive. There just can't be any pitfalls, or any excessive load time for frivolous graphics. In general, you have to decide what you think are the audience's motives and expectations. If it's an entertainment site, or a promotional piece, folks might be willing to hang around to get the full bang for their buck. But someone in an accounts payable department at a sports visor manufacturing plant who is looking for royalty figures is likely to be considerably less indulgent.

SBN: So, it depends on the circumstances?

Theodore Hovey: First and foremost, it has to be appropriate to the situation, in both feel and complexity. Unless you're building an entertainment site -- and given present bandwidth limitations, these types of sites achieve only limited success -- you need to opt for a rather clean canvas. But you have to take that in perspective, as it comes from someone who works at a firm that concentrates on business-to-business sites, where clarity, speed, and functionality are paramount. No matter what type of site you are building, the interface must be intuitive. You can't always whittle things down to the lowest common denominator, but you do have to allow for the fact that, if given the chance, people can and will back themselves into corners. You need to be sure that the opportunities for user failure are as slim as possible.

SBN: Look ahead 20 years. What will be the biggest change in the way we use the Web?

Theodore Hovey: In this medium, we live in dog years. Every few weeks see as much change as might occur in the general community in a year. I can't imagine 20 years down the pike. It does seem clear that we will be getting all our services -- cable, Web access, phone -- from one source. But then, that's already happening in some places.

The future of the Web is boundless, now that people know they can make money with it. Sure, I remember mumbling a few sighs of flower-child altruism a few years ago, as we witnessed the slow demise of the free, info-driven 'Net of the university era. But today's Web gives formerly unskilled liberal arts majors like me a job, so I've ceased to feel remorse.

At present, there isn't any way to have fun on the 'Net that can't be done better with other means, and that includes cybersex. Personally, I would never download a video clip over my modem at home. What's the point? Turn on the TV. That still works just fine. However, once bandwidth is no longer an issue, the Web's potential as a vehicle for entertainment will blossom. The business of entertainment, that is. Designers and artists with animation skills will be in great demand.

SBN: What adjustments would a traditional graphic designer need to make to enter this field?

Theodore Hovey: Any able computer designers can move to Web design with little trouble. Of course, they do need to learn HTML, and some things about file types and sizes, resolution, and so forth. And they need to spend some time surfing.

SBN: What about the social ramifications of Web design?

Theodore Hovey: It's a new profession. It's a new niche for people who have artistic inclinations, and that's very exciting. They have another outlet, where they can actually earn a living -- a good living. There's a little more recognition in the general populace of how important visuals are, and hopefully how important the people who create them are. Those images don't come out of nowhere. These people work very hard.

SBN: Any advice for beginners?

Theodore Hovey: Start using the tools as soon as possible. A lot of high schools have classes in using PhotoShop and Illustrator -- and the earlier you do it, the more tricks you can acquire. There is so much depth to these programs that you really need to get the skills down early. Don't be afraid of it, because it's almost new to everyone. Even if you haven't had luck at using other media, you might have success at this. Not everyone who can sculpt can also paint. I think it's much like that: You shouldn't censor yourself because you May have hit some sort of snag in another medium.

Photo Credit: Doris Kloster; Michael Moore/Microsoft Corporate Photographer