The Style Archive: For Movable Type, TypePad and LiveJournal

This post is the second in a series of interviews with the winners of The Style Contest. Check back every week to meet a new Style Contest design winner. Today we're speaking with Parker Torrence, whose Top Secret theme won in the "News, Politics, and Current Events" category.

Q: What is your design background, and how did you get into design?

I remember when I was young, the other cavemen and I would go over to the cave and paint Woolly Mammoths as they grazed in the valley below. Okay I'm joking, I'm not 'that old' even if my children think I am.

I have always had an interest in art and design. I took a class in digital art in 1996, then I got out of the Navy. In 1997 I placed in a web design contest put on by ZDnet and HotDog, and got my first professional web design software. After that it became almost an obsession, and I've been doing web design ever since.

Q: Tell us about your approach to the design of your winning style.

My approach to my winning style was I took a nap. No that is the truth.

At the time I had already completed six of the ten designs that I submitted, we were coming up on the (first) deadline. My wife and I talked over some ideas for the remaining styles. I felt I had fallen into a box and I wanted to do something unique and outside of that box. So I laid down to take a nap and clear my head, as I was drifting off to sleep my wife said I should use a folder and papers. When I woke up I had a very clear image of what I wanted to do in my head. It was just a matter of making it work.

Q: What kind of response have you received from people who are using your style?

Very positive. A friend of my wife has been using it on LiveJournal since it was first posted to the contest.

Q: What has been your experience designing styles for TypePad, Movable Type, or LiveJournal?

I had done a few layouts on LiveJournal with the old s-1 system a few years back, other then that it was a new area for me to work in. I do like the LJ 'Blogish' style now and foresee doing a number of styles for it this winter.

Q: Tell us about your current design work and projects.

Much of what I do on the Internet is css/xhtml code work, so there is not much to tell there. I did recently complete a design for WSI for their client "The Nemer Apparel Group." In the upcoming month I will be working on a design for a local Youth Center. Then there is the fall CSS Reboot, I will need to begin thinking about what I will be doing for that soon.

Q: Where do you find design inspiration? Who are some of the designers that inspire you?

First I would have to say Wendy, my wife. I'm also a fan of the CSS Zen Garden, and CSS Reboot.

As for designers that inspire me, at the top of my list is Lori Leach of Zenful Creations. After that is the normal group of heavy weights: Eric Meyer, Nick Fink, Dave Shea, Chris Heilmann and Jeffrey Zeldman. There have been others over the years, but these seem to always be in my design bookmark folder.

Q: Do you have any advice for other style designers?

Always be true to yourself. The current Web 2.0 style will fade like "orange is the new black" did, so do not let yourself get stuck in a design box. Always try to think out side of the box.