Creative Web Designer Interview:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jonathan Bishop

 

Jonathan Bishop created the social networking technique, Circle of Friends.  He developed this before other networks, such as Friendster, came into existence.  He also developed the assistive technology he called the PARLE system which is used to assist people with Asperser Syndrome in social situations that they may usually find difficult.

 

Do you think that creativity is part of human nature or is it something that must be nurtured and learned? Please explain your answer.

I think creativity is strongly linked with visual and spatial abilities, which everyone has, even people who can't see. I believe people can become quite effective in this area if they focus on it, which is perhaps why autistic people are some of the more creative even if not always most artistic individuals.


What made you decide to follow a creative career choice (though possibly risky) rather than something more stable?
What is your inspiration? How has personal experience influenced your creativity?

My grandfather was a miner, my father and older brother both trained as carpenters. This has instilled a strong motivation for taking part in
vocational learning programmes. My first university course was in designing for print, my undergraduate education in designing for multimedia and post graduate in designing e-learning systems. Studying practical subjects like these while working in industry at the same time has allowed me to apply theory, and in so doing be innovative in transforming business processes. Contributing to practice rather than simply debate appeals to me about creative careers.


What is your favorite creation? Please explain why you selected this one. 

What do you wish to accomplish with your art?

My favourite creation is the Circle of Friends social networking technology that is now the most adopted system of its kind on the Web. Like all of my inventions I hoped this would transform people's lives for the better and contribute to society in a meaningful way.


How do you know when a piece or project is finished and needs no additional work?

A lot of the systems I've developed have been prototypes. I have done enough work on these and set them free so others can finish them. This has happened with PARLE, a system which has been highly influential in how students on the Autism Technology course at MIT approach their subject.


Have you ever been faced with negative feedback? How was this reflected in your work, if at all?

Negativity from others has been a driving force in helping me achieve my goals. Like Marty in Back to the Future gets motivated by being called 'chicken', when I want to do something and someone says I can't I become more determined to do it.


What impact do you think that commercialism and the media has had on your work? Is this good or bad?

It has been more important to me to have my ideas known and accepted than to make commercial gains. The media has been a good tool for promoting my work, through the publishing of my papers, the carrying of my opinions, and the inspiration my ideas have caused in others.


Are you a fan of cartoons? If so, what is your favorite one?

Not a big fan. I preferred the Ghostbusters films to the cartoons as a child and am not sure whether I will go to see Ghostbusters 3 if it is animated. However, I do read Dilbert on the back of Computer Weekly and see a lot of the people I know in the different characters.


What is playing in your CD player/Ipod right now?

Gary Numan - Cars


€  If you had to be any of these things, which would you like to be?
a) a member of the opposite sex, b) a clock, c) a pair of shoes, d) a duck
Please explain your choice.

A pair of shoes - I would be regularly used and widely travelled.


If you only had 24 hours to live, how would you spend your day?

With a member of the opposite sex.


Best Regards,

---------------
Jonathan Bishop
BSc(Hons), MSc, LLM, AIEEE, MBCS CITP

Chair
Centre for Research into Online Communities and E-Learning Systems
Glamorgan Blended Learning Ltd.
The GTi Suite, Valleys Innovation Centre
Navigation Park, Abercynon,
Wales, CF45 4SN, UK
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A pioneer in e-learning and online community technology, Jonathan Bishop is
committed to exploring and using the socio-legal, socio-economic and
socio-scientific solutions to issues affecting on- and offline communities.
His web site is located at: http://www.jonathanbishop.com