I will be the first to admit here, that thinking of unique and creative questions every couple weeks can be a bit difficult. However, sometimes they just flow out of me. It’s even easier when I can play off characteristics of the interviewee. I do what I can to frame my questions in ways that show that I’ve done my research and show that I had each interviewee specifically in mind for that question. I am proud to say that I was able to do that a number of times with Emtaylor (Twitter). Shall we get started and get to know Emma a bit better?

Admin note: You’ll noticed a strange amount of little yellow circles. I can only imagine how much Emma smiles in person. Personally, I blame living in Cyprus. Color me jealous.

Who are you for those who don’t know and what is it you specialize in?

Emma Taylor: I’m Emma! I’m a freelance web designer living the dream in Cyprus (originally from the UK). Specialising in User Interface Web Design (mostly PSD mockups) and love clean simple designs, the interwebs, positive thinking, anything apple & my family and friends 🙂

How does it feel to share a name with the Em measurement in web design? Are you as fluid and scalable as it is?

Emma: Well spotted. Would you believe i’ve never really thought about it, now you’ve brought it up it feels pretty darn good! 🙂

If you were given the capital to start up a firm or grow your current brand, using only twitter people, who would be in your first round of hiring?

Emma: You’ve gotta love Twitter!! I’d have to go all out and mention a few of my favourite & super lovely web gals, they’re incredibly talented designers and great fun to talk to!

• gracesmith (Twitter) – Grace Smith (website)
• sazzy (Twitter) – Sarah Parmenter (website)
• amerz (Twitter) – Amy Mahon (website)
• yaili (Twitter) – Inayaili de León (website)
• designspace (Twitter) – Jackie Ellse (website)

…wow, this is harder than it looks, i could go on and on, there are so many wonderful people on the web!!

When birds stand on power lines and don’t get hurt, it’s most likely because of:

• good tim­ing, they only land between calls
• body mate­ri­als that are insu­lated from current
• not touch­ing any­thing else at the same time
• they do get hurt, they just express it poorly

Emma: good timing, they only land between calls 🙂

The fonts folder on your computer spontaniously combusts into a huge ball of fire with serifs flying everywhere, what three do you attempt to salvage first?

Emma: Firstly, i’d need to check to see if my sans serif fonts were ok (mainly Helvetica Neue)! Current fav Serif fonts: Hoefler Text – Italic, Baskerville & Archer

I remember, awhile back, agreeing with you that the best pens tend to be the most basic, is there any pen on your desk that you tend to instinctively reach for no matter how many may be available and perhaps closer to your hand?

Emma: Any that works…mostly the basic blue biro does the job.

What is the story for the origin of “Twiggle” in your personal branding?

Emma: When i originally started out as a full time freelancer nearly 3 years ago now i branded myself under another name. After a year i was unfortunately presented with a not so nice email from a legal team and so it goes i was no longer to able to use that domain name or brand. At the time I was pretty much in a state of panic and quickly needed to come up with a new brand and domain name. After plenty of research, plenty of name ideas and plenty of (most probably annoying) emails to web friends i finally settled with Twiggle Graphics! In a way although it caused a lot of anxiety and panic at the time its been a blessing, i’ve learnt so much since then, took my work and myself more seriously and have been busier than ever. 🙂

Are there any old design habits of yours that make you facepalm yourself? If so, why?

Emma: If anything it’d be coding. I’m pretty lucky to be able to specialise my services to design and creating PSD UI designs for other freelancers and agencies and absolutely love it, the only downside to this is that i find that i’m not completely up to scratch with my coding skills at times.

If you could personally choose any website to improve and evolve, what site would you pick and why?

Emma: *holding my head in shame* Mine! It’s way overdue and in desperate need for a redesign and update, but helping my lovely clients comes first!! 🙂

What is the nerdiest pickup line ever used on you, if any? If none, make one up!

Emma: lol, hmmm, errrr…

What type of projects or styles would you love to dip your toe into in the future? Surely a woman with your skills has only the sky as the limit.

Emma: I recently helped out with an iPhone app icon, it’s great fun and loved it…i definitely want to get into this more.

Have you ever taken, or been tempted to take, the font Papyrus for a swim in any of your designs?

Emma: Errrrrr, no. 🙂 Along with comic sans, curlz mt and any others that fit into that category!! lol 🙂

Any personal quotes you’d like to share with the people of the internet?

Emma: Whenever i get in a little rut about something or i need a little nudge i ask myself a very simple question … What’s the worst thing that can happen? Go for it!

Have you ever considered bottling up Cyprus sunshine and selling it for a little extra money in the pocket? Surely it is a higher quality sunshine than some other places in the world.

Emma: Now there’s an idea!! lol

Final thoughts?

Emma: Thanks for asking me to take part in a fun and creative interview!! Keep up the great work 🙂