When I hear the name, “Lynda Weinman,” I immediately think about Web-safe colors. However, Lynda is known for more than this contribution to Web design. Lynda taught digital media and motion graphics at Art Center College of Design in the early 90s, and she directed music videos for artists like Howard Jones and Lyle Lovitt. She also contributed special effects for many films, including Buckaroo Banzai and Return of the Jedi. And, she’s a prolific author, with her latest book being Adobe After Effects 7 Hands-On Training (Hands-on Training (H.O.T))
Lynda currently is the major domo guru behind Learning @ Your Own Pace®, a “Monster Training” online resource. In this interview, I asked Lynda about her education and about all her past experiences and how they relate to her current career. Additionally, you might be excited to learn about what she has planned for the future.
Q: Many of my readers are graphic design students. Can you tell these readers about your college education and what led you to your studies?
I went to college from 1973 – 1976. That pre-dates the personal computer! I studied Humanities: history, literature and philosophy – but the last year of school I had an internship directly with a dean. My job was to coordinate all the exhibits in the art gallery for the year – I wrote grants, came up with concepts, and worked with a designer to create all the promotional pieces to publicize the shows. That was my first exposure to graphic design, and I became smitten. I never formally studied design in school, however.
Q: You did a stint at the Art Center College of Design as a digital media and motion graphics instructor. What was that experience like?
One of the most amazing teaching experiences of my life, simply because the students were so overwhelmingly talented. It’s one thing to teach someone with average potential – but to teach the students there was an additional honor because the requirements to be accepted at ACCD are so rigid that only the top designer candidates are admitted.
Q: Did your teaching experience add substance to your current career, especially as a software and Web design trainer? If so, how?
It completely shaped it! Before I became a teacher, I was a working professional in the special effects animation industry, but I had average skills. Once I became a teacher and witnessed the response from my students, I could tell that I had found my strength and my gift. Nothing that I had ever done before compared to the feeling of finding what you were meant to do.
Q: You’ve also worked in the film industry as a director for music videos. Can you tell the readers about your experience in that industry? How did that experience affect your perspectives on Web development?
Working in special effects is like solving a new puzzle with every assignment; there are a certain set of objectives and numerous ways to get there. Although there were established techniques and best practices, there was always the challenge of solving that unique puzzle. In the early days of web development, there was a bit of that same thing, but with the additional puzzle of emerging technologies and working with disparate tools that weren’t necessarily meant to go together. So, I would say that my enjoyment of solving puzzles was fostered in the effects industry, but I really enjoyed navigating a whole new world that hadn’t yet been conquered in the web industry.
Q: You also contributed special effects for movies. Can you tell the readers about that experience, what programs you used to create the special effects, and how this experience relates to your knowledge about Web design?
Programs! Hehe. They were all done with good old-fashioned drawing and photography methods. Computer graphics did not take over the special effects industry until the 1990’s – long after I had left to teach computer graphics. My skills in Photoshop and Illustrator definitely contributed to learning web graphics, but it was a whole new learning curve of learning how different browsers and computer systems render files, how different formats work and which are best for what, and user experience – as special effects are not interactive!
Q: It seems that you began your online career with explicit instructions about how to resolve the Web-safe Color problem. And, as with many Web design problems generated in the past, that issue seems to be moot now. But, your goals changed as well on your Website. Can you tell the readers how you morphed along with the times and what you offer specifically through www.lynda.com?
Since starting to teach, I’ve always gravitated to where there was a need and how I could best fill it. It started with digital imaging, moved over to web design, and now is even more broad than that, as our site offers training in all kinds of other topics. I truly love sharing and empowering others. It’s all about being helpful and effective. By bringing in other instructors and other topics, lynda.com is now a destination that helps millions of people. There’s no greater feeling of accomplishment that I could imagine.
Q: What’s on your platter for the future with www.lynda.com?
We have some exciting projects in the upcoming year with new software releases and a new conference that we’re launching. Our Online Training Library™ is growing at a really fast clip – we’re having a great time keeping pace with our customer’s needs.
Q: Outside of www.lynda.com, you also write books, appear on lecture circuits, and you’re also the founder of Flashforward, the largest Flash user conference and film festival in the world. Although you work with your husband, Bruce Heavin, it seems that your life is wrapped around teaching others about what you know and your family. When do you find time for yourself, and what do you do during that time?
LOL. There isn’t a lot of time for myself. I’ve grown to enjoy spas in the past few years. Before that, I had never gone to one, and now if I have a choice of how to vacation, that’s probably it. I love taking the time off that I do set aside for myself to really go into deep relaxation, and find the spa experience does that for me. The truth is that I truly love my work and family, so I don’t crave that much time away from either. I am living the dream that if you love what you do, then work is pleasure.
Q: As a woman, how do you feel about women’s futures in Web design?
It’s a great career for anyone – man or woman. The field is exploding, and there is a huge demand. It’s creative, rewarding, fun, and can be lucrative. What’s not to like?
Q: You’re also an accessibility advocate. How do you see the future of Web design and its accompanying changes to meet evolving accessibility standards and guidelines?
It’s great to see web standards and accessibility standards being widely adopted by the big players – Apple, Microsoft, Adobe and others. In the beginning it was a fight – I think the fight has largely been won now that the toolmakers are on board. Accessibility and standards used to be an afterthought – I truly believe that tide has turned.
Q: Finally, do you have any other goals that you want others to know about? If so, when do you intend to accomplish them?
Someday, I might like to start a university. I’d like to wait at least five years, as there’s still much more to do in the areas we already tackle. I think there’s a need for a digital arts-focused trade school or academy, and I’d love to chart that course. Believe me, I am way too busy to tackle that one just yet. Give me a few years!
Thanks, Lynda - and good luck!
Thanks for the interview!
