Mike Hollos
Sr. Graphic Designer
"Web store design is constantly evolving. Our sites have to be attractive to shoppers as well as search engines."
For Graphic Designer Mike Hollos, it's all about balance. "I like to be able to do my own thing," he says, "but it's usually better when the client also has some idea what he or she wants. Then we're not flying blind." Sometimes Mike will go back and forth several times with the client to get the right look and feel for the planned web site. Other times, he's on his own. "Sometimes the clients have a look in mind, other times they just trust us," Mike says. "It's good to have the flexibility and freedom to do what we're sure works."
Every design starts with a concept. "We show them a mock-up," says Mike. "We provide the big picture, including the basic look with the header, navigational tools, links, and product displays on the home page and interior pages. Then we get the client to make whatever changes he or she wants, then it's off to the programmer to bring it all to life. It's a cool process."
And Mike's been at it since high school, where he fell in love with computers and knew he wanted to make a career from his hobby. He got a degree in Computer Science and Math at College Misericordia, but he found himself buying books to study computer subjects that weren't offered in school. "I learned on my own," Mike recalls. "After I graduated I decided to work for a company that designed the web sites I liked best. One local radio station really jumped out at me; it was designed by Solid Cactus. I was amazed that they were right in my home town."
Mike has continued the learning process on the job. After all, a good designer is always looking for newer and better. "I became expert in Adobe Photo Shop, Adobe Image Reading for banner ads and Macro Media Flash for animation. It's a newer technology that lets us provide more graphical impact for web site visitors."
Mike likes the prospects at Solid Cactus. "I get along with everyone. We all help each other. I guess it's team unity, and it creates a great work environment." And every day at work is different. "The variety is great. I'll design a kid's store one day and a sports store the next day. Our range of clients is huge."
"I'm doing what I always wanted," says Graphic Designer Mike Hollos. Solid Cactus couldn't be happier.
For Graphic Designer Mike Hollos, it's all about balance. "I like to be able to do my own thing," he says, "but it's usually better when the client also has some idea what he or she wants. Then we're not flying blind." Sometimes Mike will go back and forth several times with the client to get the right look and feel for the planned web site. Other times, he's on his own. "Sometimes the clients have a look in mind, other times they just trust us," Mike says. "It's good to have the flexibility and freedom to do what we're sure works."
Every design starts with a concept. "We show them a mock-up," says Mike. "We provide the big picture, including the basic look with the header, navigational tools, links, and product displays on the home page and interior pages. Then we get the client to make whatever changes he or she wants, then it's off to the programmer to bring it all to life. It's a cool process."
And Mike's been at it since high school, where he fell in love with computers and knew he wanted to make a career from his hobby. He got a degree in Computer Science and Math at College Misericordia, but he found himself buying books to study computer subjects that weren't offered in school. "I learned on my own," Mike recalls. "After I graduated I decided to work for a company that designed the web sites I liked best. One local radio station really jumped out at me; it was designed by Solid Cactus. I was amazed that they were right in my home town."
Mike has continued the learning process on the job. After all, a good designer is always looking for newer and better. "I became expert in Adobe Photo Shop, Adobe Image Reading for banner ads and Macro Media Flash for animation. It's a newer technology that lets us provide more graphical impact for web site visitors."
Mike likes the prospects at Solid Cactus. "I get along with everyone. We all help each other. I guess it's team unity, and it creates a great work environment." And every day at work is different. "The variety is great. I'll design a kid's store one day and a sports store the next day. Our range of clients is huge."
"I'm doing what I always wanted," says Graphic Designer Mike Hollos. Solid Cactus couldn't be happier.
