How do you feel about being the 2009 ADDY Web Designer & Programmer?
Its a great pleasure to work with many of the talented designers and advertisers in the GFAF. This is my second year working on the ADDY web site and it’s a blast. It’s a great project to “stretch your legs” so to speak and try a few new things. The committee is doing a fabulous job and I think the ceremony is going to be another success this year.
Can you tell us a little bit about where you work?
Recently, I set up my own studio aptly named, Tobin Lehman, and have started to concentrate on providing design and development services to agencies and small businesses along the east coast. Being a one-man show allows me to focus on high quality products from start to finish, without compromise. And I can preform this work below the cost of my competitors because of the lower overhead costs of my home-based studio.
What is your education and work experience?
I have a B.S in Graphic Design and Photography from Pennsylvania State University. I studied under Lanny Sommese, who if you know that name can appreciate the rigors and benefits of that experience. After graduation, I took a job in Rockville at Hirshorn Zuckerman Design Group. This was a great introduction into the world of advertising. I worked primarily as an Information Architect and UI designer for a team of three designers. Eventually the commute caught up with me, and my desire to work closer to home brought me to Enforme Interactive. I loved the experience at Enforme Interactive. A great group of people, and one of the most talented teams I have worked with. During my time at Enforme, I started my MBA from Hood College and anticipate completion in 2010. The MBA is a great extension for a design education, and obviously for running my own business.
Who are your clients?
My clients are mostly small business from the local area. My agency clients range from New York, to Asheville, NC. I like to develop relationships with all my clients. My clients see me as more than a designer or developer, yet as a partner in the decision making process. Being small business owners themselves, they need honest upfront communication and results. I make sure that what they need is presented to them in a way they can understand, and not smother them in technical terms and web jargon. It’s easy to forget that web is intimidating to many people.
How do you brainstorm for ideas?
Running. It might sound odd, but going on a long run allows me to have my mind travel around and come up with ideas, concepts, and connections. If I can’t make it out for a run, I like to get away from the computer, grab a tablet, and hit the library. I find immersion in the topic is really important to design. A lot of web sites can be really templatized due to the nature of the medium, so it’s important to break out of the box once in a while. Having a solid concept can really help with that.
What is your ideal project?
I’m spending a lot of time right now on mobile web. There is a great potential in this area, and I am setting up a few sites for clients at the moment in the arena. I’d like to work more with this medium on mobile. It really gets down to informatics of the web, or what the web can do for you, right now. With such a small interface and limited interaction, it provides a really awesome challenge to information architecture as well as design.
What software do you use?
My set up contains a Mac Book Pro 2.4, 24in Monitor, Wacom 6×8 Tablet, Adobe Creative Suite CS3, Office 2008, Font Explorer X, and Quicksilver. I have two servers on location for development as well.
Other organizations you’re involved with?
Besides the GFAF, I am a mentor in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.
Anything else you want to mention?
I’m always interested in meeting new members, so drop by my web site tobinlehman.com, or give me call.
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