Interview with Merten Snijders

Hello, Merten. Please let us know your short biography. How did you turn into design field? What inspired you? Any goals for the future?
I was about 10 when we got our first computer at home, before that the only interactive equipment I`d ever touched was probably a calculator. So obviously it was quite an experience to be able to type your name on a screen. Looking back now, this experience had quite an impact on my life. Technology evolved rapidly, when consumer internet connections slowly became available, we got a subscription to CompuServe to explore more of the crazy cyber world through a dazzling 14K modem. Phonebills skyrocketed, but I found myself a new playground. Many hours and a couple of computers later, my buddies and me got into the online gaming scene where cool websites where pure fashion. Of course we needed to be ahead of the game and developed our own ‘brand’ around the team. It was great to see how all these young guns challenged each other in all ways possible to make the most funky websites and team branding.
I knew this was something I wanted to be doing.

After highschool I did computer science college. During that period I started working for clients, and launched my petit one man business. After a while I had build up a nice client list and got demand for many different things which forced me to do a lot of self study. During the day I was studying and working, and in the weekends at night I was a party photographer. After computer sience college, I went to College of Multimedia in Amsterdam where I broadend my knowledge of the multimedia disciplines: conceptual, interactive, 3D graphics, web and audio. I graduated with an 8.6 average, ready to start working full time. So at the age of 21, I was independently doing website-, Flash application-, photography- and many print projects for local and national clients. 1,5 years of this quickly passed by, I found myself getting stuck doing the same work over and over again. I needed a new challenge to raise the bar. I got an opportunity to do a large freelance job at MediaCatalyst Amsterdam, after a successful finalization, I decided to apply for the available position of Flash Designer. Before I knew it, I had the job, moved to Amsterdam and was working on large scale projects for international corporations. I specialized in Flash solutions, multi-language campaign, micro sites and did design and some photography work next to that.

My goals for the future..
Well, I am on the verge of making the next step in my carreer.
As of August 1st I will be available to work elsewhere. I am looking for work outside of The Netherlands, so I can get to know different cultures and push myself to explore the world. Professionally I want to expand my Photography, Design and Actionscript/Programming skills. I can`t wait for the next version of Flash to come out!

What do you like to do best – web, print or photography? Why?
Photography comes up first actually. What I like about it is the active part, being on the move. Executing the mission, trying to find the moment, planning it, capturing it.
But the ultimate project would be one that involves all media to get the message out there.

What is travel for you? I heared you travel a lot. Any plans for the future, where to go?
To travel for me is to get away from the stressful work environment and get in touch with the phenomena that I like to see as the ‘real world’. Being in different cultures and seeing world heritage feeds your mind with so many more questions that you want to have answered. I think this addiction is also referred to as the ‘travel bug’.
In July I am going around Europe by train, and depending on my work situation then, I might just go to India and Nepal or China and Tibet too.

What is your current position? Where do you work and what do you do?
As I mentioned earlier, I am currently working at MediaCatalyst, Amsterdam, as a Flash Designer.

What do you think about design education, is that necessary to be a designer?
In my opinion, education is the foundation of every profession. Either through school or people around you.

How do you rest? Do you? I guess we all need some rest after so much hours of work.
I try to get a solid 8 hours sleep every week night , that keeps me sharp. I cannot recommend working on tight deadline projects with lots of Flash programming involved when your mind is floating all over the place.

What are your thoughts about design magazines like Digital Abstracts. Do you still visit that?
They are the community, a place where opportunity is given to everyone.

What can you suggest to a newbie who is trying to be a designer or
photographer?
Be demanding to yourself, don’t work alone, know what you are creating and why.

Which cameras you got?
I recently sold my Mamiya 645 Pro TL, unfortunately the medium format processing is getting more expensive. Therefore I am now in the process of purchasing a Digital SLR set with some fine optics. Next to that I have my fine old Sony F717 lieng around for the ruff stuff.

What kind of photography you prefer to do? Nature? People? Or?
It is great to go to a museum, or look at a website and read what the artists thoughts on a specific piece or a collection are. After having seen the work, you can then interpret the artists thoughts with your thoughts and the piece of work in front of you.
When that all makes sense, I am looking at photography that I prefer.

What are your current projects you are working on?
Currently doing a cool campaign site for a large mobile phone company, in which I am taking my flash localization tools and Actionscript 2.0 skills to the next step.

Is there any place you would love to go?
Here is my list.. I`m just getting started
http://whc.unesco.org/

Any famous persons you ever meet?
I`ve been living in the centre of Amsterdam past 1,5 years.. TV Hosts and celebrities just go about their business around you there, just like anybody else... no big deal.

What is the last dream you remember?
That I travelled to a far away destination and did not have the right visa papers to get in the country.

Do you care about global warming?
I do, everybody should. Be responsible, recycle.

So, thank you so much. Last commets are welcome, Merten!
Thanks for having me on the show, good luck with D.A.
I hope it may enjoy many visitors and they D.A.