Interview with KLEBER

Hello Kleber. Please tell us the history behind the company. How did u guys start?
Kleber was formed in 1996, coming out of Obsolete - one of the pioneering web design studios at the time, and from the start has always focussed on music related websites; forging early relationships with Warp Records and Ninja Tune Records. Over time we have become almost synonymous with the online music and entertainment industry, creating websites and interactive media for almost every major and independent record label in various sizes and complexity, resulting in award-winning projects and a worldwide recognition as leaders in the field.

Whats the team now? How many people? And who is who?
At the moment we're consisting of 3 people who are full time staff: Chris McGrail, Dan London, and Tom Muller. Chris, who also founded the company focusses on design as well as technology, while Dan is our main technical designer/programmer, Tom is mainly active in design and the front end of things. Besides our core team we have a small network of specialized freelance designers we occasionally use when projects demand it.

What are the most favorite projects you guys done?
There are probably a lot we could list that have at one point in time pushed the company forward that its hard to pick 'favorite' projects. That said - in recent times, our development of Bleep (http://www.bleep.com), Warp Records' MP3 download store has been an important mark in our continuous effort to push design and technology forward, and stay ahead. Our other recent and time-worthy projects are listed on our site http://www.kleber.net.

What are your goals for the future?
To keep a steady course. Do interesting and challenging work. Build on our experience, to stay on top.

Whats webdesign for you?
Usability/communication/ user engagement/interactivity/delivering a message, brand/

Jakob Nielsen said that flash is 99% bad. Whats your opinion please?
Flash is only bad when its used inappropriately. Most of the work we do is all HTML/Php/MySQL driven, and as such, flash is something we don't use as extensively. There are however instances that flash can be an invaluable asset in site creation, and we have applied it to certain projects that called for a more intuitive and interactive user experience. For examples you can check out http://www.randomsummer.com/ and http://www.manhattanloft.co.uk/mlc/

What do you think about corporate site designs like templatemonster sell?
We think clients are better of paying a bit more and getting an exact, UNIQUE bespoke solution, instead of having a design thats a dime in a dozen.

What can you advice to a newbie, who just start webdesign?
Practise, Practise, Practise

Other good design sites? [/b]
Probably yes.

What you guys do behind the work and kleber?
We usually do more work.

Oh, how did you come up with this name?
Kleber is German for Glue/ sticking thing together.Before Kleber was founded, it was going to be the name of an online music zine. The magazine never happened in the end. But when the company was founded the name stuck. and its a pretty good description of what we do.

What are your current projects?
We can't really talk about that, since most of our work falls under NDA agreements.A lot of it is music/entertainment industry related.For the most recent work, check our website.

Do you surf on design sites like digital abstracts and what do you think about it?
Yes we do when we have the time. Design portals are a very good source of information for designers. Its a nice way to spread around news fast and hopefully inspire some people.

Are you going to upcoming OFFF?
No. This year we will be presenting at the Flash In The Can festival in Toronto, Canada in April.

About the horror in asia last December. Do you think it was first step into end of days?
Well... don't mess with nature...

Last comments please.
Thanks for resending the questions Andre!