Matthew Hill: Interactive Designer, Developer
In your own words, briefly describe your job
''My main skills lie in the development of Authorware applications. I work at both the interface design level using Photoshop, the program structure and coding, and the input of scripted material. I am also starting to transfer these skills to web design.''
How did you get into the industry?
''I learnt Desk Top Publishing as a City and Guilds qualification during a YTS course. After doing two DTP jobs for 2 years, I applied to Maxim Training as a CBT author (designing and programming DOS based management training courses).''
In your experience, what are the best ways of promoting and marketing your skills?
''In getting more work, I would put a lot of time into creating a website that accurately reflects my skill set; this is normally the quickest and easiest way to get information across.''
How do you make sure that you keep up with current developments in your field?
''Working in multimedia, I update my skills by keeping an eye on the internet, particularly some of the big sites: Macromedia, Adobe, Microsoft. Also keep in touch with development sites such as WebMonkey and ZDNet. Read current magazines such as Computer Arts, Internet Magazine, etc. And best of all, lurk on newsgroups for the software that you use most - lots of interesting stuff can appear here before it becomes general knowledge.''
What advice would you give to someone whose career needed a kick-start?
''Don't rely on what others tell you as being true, especially regarding technology. Make sure you understand it all yourself, and that you at least know how systems and processes interact, even if you don't neccesarily directly use them in your job. Learn to distinguish between those who are enthusiastic but wrong and those who are experienced but probably right.''
What advice would you give to someone wanting to broaden the range of work they are getting?
''Learn about a range of different software so that you feel comfortable enough to produce something with it. Sell yourself on those skills - if you need to do anything more advanced, you'll pick it up on the job.''
''My main skills lie in the development of Authorware applications. I work at both the interface design level using Photoshop, the program structure and coding, and the input of scripted material. I am also starting to transfer these skills to web design.''
How did you get into the industry?
''I learnt Desk Top Publishing as a City and Guilds qualification during a YTS course. After doing two DTP jobs for 2 years, I applied to Maxim Training as a CBT author (designing and programming DOS based management training courses).''
In your experience, what are the best ways of promoting and marketing your skills?
''In getting more work, I would put a lot of time into creating a website that accurately reflects my skill set; this is normally the quickest and easiest way to get information across.''
How do you make sure that you keep up with current developments in your field?
''Working in multimedia, I update my skills by keeping an eye on the internet, particularly some of the big sites: Macromedia, Adobe, Microsoft. Also keep in touch with development sites such as WebMonkey and ZDNet. Read current magazines such as Computer Arts, Internet Magazine, etc. And best of all, lurk on newsgroups for the software that you use most - lots of interesting stuff can appear here before it becomes general knowledge.''
What advice would you give to someone whose career needed a kick-start?
''Don't rely on what others tell you as being true, especially regarding technology. Make sure you understand it all yourself, and that you at least know how systems and processes interact, even if you don't neccesarily directly use them in your job. Learn to distinguish between those who are enthusiastic but wrong and those who are experienced but probably right.''
What advice would you give to someone wanting to broaden the range of work they are getting?
''Learn about a range of different software so that you feel comfortable enough to produce something with it. Sell yourself on those skills - if you need to do anything more advanced, you'll pick it up on the job.''
