Web Designer Interview

I interviewed Jennifer Shiman, the web designer and creator of  www.angryalien.com. I decided to interview her because the website is very creative, funny,  and easy to use.

1) How do you know when a piece of work is finished, and needs no additional work?

I don't think you can ever know whether a piece of work is finished--you have to take a leap of faith and make the decision that you are ready to leave the piece and send it into the world.  One could argue that any piece of work could use additional improvement.  In fact one reason that some creators never finish their pieces is because they keep saying "it's not finished yet, it needs more work."  The curse of the perfectionist!  At some point you have to say, "This is where I draw the line, it's finished enough."  Improvement can come through the process of always making new creations and learning from past experiences.

2) What is your favorite piece of work you created, and why?

I find it hard to pinpoint a favorite piece of work. I find it more accurate 

in my case to say that creating things is my favorite thing to do. 

3)Have you ever been faced with negative feedback, and how has it affected your work, if at all?

Oh sure, I've been faced with negative feedback since I began creating art.  I think it's important to delineate between "negative feedback" and "rejection"  (both of which I've dealt with/deal with).  To me, "negative feedback" entails comments and reactions such as "your stuff sucks" and varying degrees thereof, i.e. non constructive criticism. "Rejection" can be more neutral, in an instance where I didn't get into a festival, win a prize, get into a school, get a job, sell a show, etc.  This can be a case of  "my work didn't suit their needs" and is nothing personal.   I've dealt with this situation way more than receiving outright negative feedback, I am happy to say.  Over time, I've accepted both as a part of the creative process, although they haven't gotten any easier to deal with.  Even when I receive tons of positive feedback or great situations, I find it challenging not to let one tiny instance of negative feedback stick in my craw. As to whether rejection or negative feedback affects my work:  it certainly doesn't affect the nature of my work, and I don't let it impact my output.  My biggest triumph over rejection/negative feedback is to plow through and work on my stuff anyway, continue to submit work to contests, festivals, continue to produce and to try.  While the audience and peer responses are important to me, I remind myself that what makes me happiest is the act of creating, the journey, the internal process, not the external reactions of others.  This positive attitude doesn't come naturally, either;  I have to actively practice feeling this way.