Thomas: I can’t believe it has been three years already! I’d say that the advantages have been enormous, and have certainly changed my life. I was working in Luxembourg at a small ISP, churning away at websites for local hotels and restaurants when I started surfstation. Now, I am doing work for some of the biggest brands out there, and I get interviewed by magazines and websites like yourself. It’s certainly gotten my name out there, and given me a chance to showcase my work to a much larger audience. It has also introduced me to some really great people in the web design scene, and I’ve made some great friends in the process.

I think the only disadvantage is the amount of time and effort that goes into making a successful zine. It really cuts a deep chunk out of your free time. But that’s a small price to pay for what you get in return.

Do you still keep track of how many daily visitors enter your site? If yes, do you take action when there is a downfall? What are some of the things site owners should keep in mind to maintaining their average amount of viewers.

I used to be obsessed with our traffic, and I used to check it every day. Now, I check it every couple of months. Our traffic steadily grew for the first couple of years. It’s only this last year that the traffic has kind of slowed down a bit. I think it is a very clear result of lack of updates in the sections of the site. My advice to anyone trying to maintain a high level of visitors is to make sure they keep it fresh and constantly updated. As long as you keep the content coming, people will keep coming.

You review a very large number of sites per month. Have you noticed any new design trends in 2003?

Not really. If anything I would say that there seems to be a trend towards more of a dirty analogue style (neasdencontrolcentre, ths, Beast, extra-oomph), but that may just be because I love this style and notice it more. Overall, I think we get a very nice variety of sites these days. It doesn’t seem like everyone out there is trying to copy designgraphik anymore, which was the case a year or so ago. Maybe, it’s a sign that web design is maturing slowly but surely, and designers are getting more experienced and confident — so they do their own thing.

What is the best and worst comment you have received from a viewer about surfstation.lu?

I think we’ve gotten some 20-30,000 comments over the years, so I can’t think of any two comments that stick out in my mind, but many are fairly similar. The good ones tell us how much surfstation means to them, and how they love visiting the site everyday. And the bad ones
tell us how elitist we are, in addition to telling us we are crap designers and that we should shut the site down.

Other than your super-sexy-zine surfstation.lu. What is your 2nd favorite online magazine (Yes, you must give us an answer, smile). And what is great about this site?

I’d have to go for two sites here, and don’t worry I will explain why (smile).

K10k - The new site is possibly the best web site I’ve ever seen. As a designer, I was completely blown away by the attention to detail and functionality of the new site. They really put so much thought and effort into creating it — it totally paid off!

Pixelsurgeon - Not exactly my favorite choice of color (ref. 2001 version), but they constantly come up with great content. They are like Surfstation was a
year and a half ago. Still enthusiastic, still eager, and still churning out lots of good content.

What is your choice of method when web designing: “Function over Form,” or “Form over Function?”

Function over form. I started designing at the same time as I learnt HTML, and I think it has in a way shaped my design. When I approach a site, I always think of the restrictions of HTML, and how my design will accomodate for certain things, and how I have to avoid others. It has certainly been a good thing for me over the past 6 years, but at the same time I envy people who don’t think like
this. I.e. Some people just charge ahead with the creative part, and worry about the function later. Often they come up with things that I would never have considered, because I’m a bit locked into the functional
aspects. But it’s a give and take. I’m sure they’ve designed many things which end up not working, and has to be put to the side. At least, I know my designs will almost always work.

Do you think the Internet and web design will grow to new heights in the future? What are your thoughts and predictions of it?

I think as we see applications becoming more and more assimilated, it’s hard to determine what web design will be in the future. I believe there will some type of massive hybrid of all the different mediums, and that we will be able to access information from anywhere at any
time. Whether, the form of presenting the information is called the “Internet,” “web design”or something else — I really do not know.

You have been constantly inquired about your combination-style of print and web in your artwork. Other than what is apparent, have you
noticed any changes in the last year in your art (i.e. style, themes, etc.)?

The main change is about a year ago, when I decided I wanted to do illustrations. It all started as a cheap alternative to buying my family christmas presents and then it just kind of took off from there. Now-a-days, I do a lot more illustration work than web work. It’s been great to get stuff published in magazines, especially considering that I started out on the web, and now I'm going to print — not the other way around.

You enjoy creating illustration design, and much is displayed at your portfolio site XTRAPOP. What are the usual steps to your work process (sketching, coloring, software use, etc.)?

It really depends on what I’m trying to do. Some of my designs are completely freehand and then brought into the machine, others are drawn straight on my WACOM tablet, and some are even traced or streamlined. It all depends on the style I am trying to achieve.

Why do you use semi-nude women in your artwork? Does erotic/sexual images intentionally capture a bigger audience? Or is it a personal attraction to female beauty (details please)?

It’s a bit of both. My sense of beauty is women, vintage cars, 70’s furniture and clothing, dirt, nature, punk, rock... The list goes on. I tend to incorporate the things I like into my designs. The whole “pin-up” obsession was probably a bit dragged out and I think it came from my love of Miika Saksi’s early work.

As a result, I think it’s strange that people are so interested in why I do illustrations and photograph naked women... as if this was a new phenomenon? Go pick up almost any photography book, and what you will see is nudes. Look at any art form through the ages and it is dominated by the study of the naked body... Why is it so strange that I would do the same?


Have you had any problems with including certain objects, or even nude women figures into your commercial or non-commercial work? I.e. Are there places, certain companies (due to geographical location or cultural mentality), or even sites that have objected to this type of art from you?

I still haven’t put naked women into any commercial work as far as I know; and I don’t think there are many clients who would find this appropriate. As for my non-commercial projects, they are my own, and anyone who has a problem with that can fuck off. I’m not a big fan of people trying to censor other people or those who try to push their values/morals on others. I don’t write emails to people telling them that I disagree with the way they do their work, and I expect the same courtesy from others. Having said all that, I’ve only had a handful of
emails complaining about nudity in my work.

What art style could you never imagine being involved in? Why?

Probably music. It is purely for the reason: I have absolutely no talent in the music department! It really is a shame, because I would love to be a musician. Who knows, maybe some day I will go out and buy a guitar and realize “I’m the next Bob Dylan.” Highly unlikely, but it could happen.

Do you have any new projects in development? Which?

The main project now is Stolenshirts, and the new Surfstation. Over the past six months, we’ve been coming up with some really good ideas, and the
new surfstation will be a complete rethink/redesign of the site. It’s a whole new concept, and hopefully over the summer we will have time to sit down, design, and program it.

Inspiration is commonly found in literature, music and film. List some of your recent favorites titles that have said something to you.

Books:
Stupid White Men by Michael Moore.

Movies:
“Requiem for a Dream,” “Hedwig and the Angry
Inch,” “Rush,” “Buffalo 66.” I’m a big fan of movies
which aren't over produced and acted.

Music:
White Stripes, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Kings of Leon, Bob Dylan, and Steppenwolf.

Besides web, tell us something you like to do on your free time which most people aren’t aware of yet.

I have to admit that I spend most of my time designing or sitting on the couch watching TV. If I’m not doing either of those, I’m out with friends, playing basketball, playing with my dog in the park, taking photos, whatever.

What haven’t you done in your life that you still dream of doing? Why?

I don’t think I have any specific goals in my life. No specific dream, which I want to come true. Although, I would like to have kids and have a family, but that is far down the line...

Now a days, the face behind the computer isn’t as hidden as in the past, because self-portaits are now more visible online; and this can end up becoming a marketing aspect like in any other media. Do you think computer geeks of today have changed a lot in terms of visual appearance? I.e. trying to look fashionable, and trendy within their own personality. And do you take care of your looks too?

I think a lot of computer geeks are about as trendy as anyone. Especially, here in London. I’m personally way too lazy to be trendy. I’m not a big fan of going shopping or getting my haircut either, so it kind of shoots “trendy” in the ass.

I read on one of your past interviews that you prefer to ask questions than answer them. Since we have never been interviewed by an interviewee. I’ll give you an opportunity to reverse the roles, and you ask me a question — something you want to know. [We need a change of pace, so I should be scared after you’ve asked a tough question — laugh].

Question by Thomas: What’s the meaning of life?

Adriana, Scene 360 response: I had to think about this for a while, because it’s a difficult question. You kind of think, “Yeah, what about life?” One needs to reflect before answering because it’s not so simple. The meaning to my life is searching for its meaning. Finding what I am good at, what my so-called “mission” is in life, and trying to live it to the fullest. To me talking about life means sometimes relating with its opposite point: death — which is something I sometimes worry about. But, I think I have a harder time accepting life’s issues and obstacles, than actual death. The unknown is scary at times (and that can relate to both life and death), and I guess it’s important to go at my own pace in life which means sometimes not going at other peoples paces, or even society’s.

The meaning of life is finding love in it, finding happiness, searching for individuality, creativity, overcoming the hard times, surviving pain, being there for my friends and family, remembering the small things in life, expressing emotions: being scared, not being scared, being myself, and above all share my passions with others to make my life special, and being able to make it special for others. I hope I’m able to do this (Smile).

Thanks for the thoughtful question Thomas.

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Credits:

Interview & Design by Adriana de Barros,
about the author

Interview design based on imagery by Thomas Brodahl, original artwork of the “heart-tree” and “self-portrait” © Brodahl.

© 2003 SCENE 360. All rights reserved.