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1WEB DESIGNER
TwitterView with
 
@HughBriss
 
 Hugh Briss is a Web developer, Internet entrepreneur, blogger and Twitter evangelist. One of his most recent Internet ventures isTwitterImage.com where he and a crew of talented designers createcustom Twitter backgrounds for their clients.
NerdBoyTV
First of all, I personally am a fan of your background work. How did you cometo decide to do Twitter backgrounds for other people?
HughBriss
I had done MySpace backgrounds before so it seemed like a no brainer whenI saw that Twitter allowed us to add backgrounds.
HughBriss
I realized that lots of people don't have the skills to do their own backgroundsso I decided to see if they'd be willing to pay.
NerdBoyTV
Why do you think backgrounds on Twitter are socritical? BTW, I noticed you updated urs too ;-)
HughBriss
I don't think they're critical for everyone but for any person or companyinterested in branding and marketing I think they are.
NerdBoyTV
You obviously bring graphic design skills into your work; what do you find asthe most common problem with some Twitter backgrounds?
HughBriss
Not understanding the limitation and how to best utilize a small space andmake the background effective at most resolutions.
HughBriss
Pretty tough to design effectively for 1024 wide monitors though. ;)
HughBriss
Backgrounds are the best way to make a great first impression as well asadding more marketing real estate.
“Backgrounds arethe best way to makea great firstimpression as well asadding moremarketing realestate.” 
 
2
NerdBoyTV
What have you seen in terms of the most creative or unusual use of a Twitterbackground? And why?
HughBriss
One use I haven't seen that would be awesome is to use that area to updateor make special offers.
HughBriss
For example, a movie production company could use it to hype their newestmovie release.
NerdBoyTV
Do you predict that Twitter would EVER allow clickable links onbackgrounds?
HughBriss
I hope Twitter will allow them although I doubt they will. Too easy to abuse Ithink.
HughBriss
I would definitely like to see them center the background though, like we canon YouTube channel backgrounds.
HughBriss
Solves the big issue of not being able to put anything important on the rightside of the tweet area.
NerdBoyTV
Though I must admit I kinda like how the unusual Twitter layout (slim left,wide right) forced folks to be a little more creative in layouts.
NerdBoyTV
And the right side IS so unpredictable because of the different screen sizesand resolutions we're dealing with in TwitterLand ;-)
HughBriss
True, but if the background was centered we'd still have to keep our marginsnarrow but we could use the right as well.
NerdBoyTV
So if someone wanted (make that needed) to work with you, how do youwork with them to create a focused relevant Twitter background?
HughBriss
I ask them to provide any input as far as what styles they like, colorpreferences, copy, etc. and then I look at their website.
HughBriss
In most cases, unless their website design is bad, from a brandingstandpoint, I think it's best to follow the website design.
“For example, amovie productioncompany could use itto hype their newestmovie release.” “I would definitelylike to see them centerthe backgroundthough, like we canon YouTube channelbackgrounds.”
 
 
3
NerdBoyTV
Do you have any opinion on using an actual photo OR something like anavatar/icon when branding your Twitter page?
HughBriss
Depends on what the background is for. If it's a company it's probably best touse a logo. Individuals should brand themselves.
NerdBoyTV
As a designer, what would you say was your absolute FAVORITEbackground that you created for someone and why? What did you like boutit?
HughBriss
One of my favorites is @bizarrefoods because I love that show and it's a funbackground.
HughBriss
@tkpleslie is another and I was happy with @erikjheels because of the subtlepromotion for his website in the stadium billboard.
HughBriss
Other favorites are @jasonmitchener @johnchow @delight.com
NerdBoyTV
Sounds like you STILL appreciate clever graphic elements EVEN if they're ona Twitter background?
HughBriss
Cleverness is always a plus, especially if it makes people look longer or talkabout it.
HughBriss
One thing I like to do when I have a high quality photo of the person to workwith is to silhouette it instead of in a box.
HughBriss
When I say silhouette I mean cut it out of the original background.
NerdBoyTV
And btw, I JUST looked at @erikjheels Twitter page...WOW, that really ISkewl. Just a simple use of a photo landscape, too. Easy, nice!
HughBriss
Thanks, yeah, I think it was a subtle way to do it and he gets a lot ofcompliments on it. I knew he loved baseball.
NerdBoyTV
And looking longer or talking about it is definitely the goal here onTwitter...good point.
“Cleverness isalways a plus,especially if itmakes people looklonger or talkabout it.”
“One thing I like todo when I have a highquality photo of theperson to work with isto silhouette it insteadof in a box.”
 
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