An interview with star walker web master

Marilyn Banister

Can you tell us a little bit about your background and what lead you to get involved with graphic design, specifically internet website graphic designing?

My mother is an artist and so I inherited my artist talent from her. The computer part has been self taught.  How I fell into graphic design and websites was through a friend of mine Brian…. a wonderful jazz musician and owner of BCO Media who I worked for and now collaborate with.

What prompted you to start your own company?

After slaving 10 years in the corporate world I was laid off.  I told myself I would rather be a starving artist then to go back to that. Since then I have found much more meaningful satisfaction in doing the work I now do, with the web designing business.

What’s the name of your company called and where on the web can we find it?

My company is Work4Media, Inc., at www.work4media.com and we cover a variety of different website needs.

Can you tell us the biggest challenge you find in designing websites?

Making the clients vision a reality. That is where all the fun of it is. Because things change as their vision takes shape. And this brings up unforeseen technical challenges, and overcoming those challenges is partly what makes it all worthwhile.

How do you find most of your clients, and where can future clients find you?

I find the majority of my clients through word of mouth, or through my work. In other words, through the websites I have designed in collaboration or completed solo, people see my work and then want or inquire about Work4Media and the services we provide.

What would you like to accomplish with work4media?

I would like to have Work4Media keep me out of a regular 9-5. That would be wonderful.

What aspect of your web design work do you enjoy the most?

Absolutely all of it.  But I’d have to say that the designing is fun because it brings out that artistic part in me. And making it into a website is a constant learning process so it will never get boring.

Where would you like your company to be in say five years?

I would like the company to allow me to own a small farm where I can also rescue dogs and horses.

How do you go about deciding if you want to do a certain project or not?

I haven’t come across a project that I didn’t want to do, fortunately for me I seem to gravitate towards other artists who are also fun to work with.

Can you tell us the ‘how process’ of your work without giving away any trade Marilyn secrets?

The “how process” for me is staying relaxed, that is when I’m the most creative.  If I have a mind block I walk away from it for a while and don’t think about it. The answer always soon comes to me.

What lead you to get involved with the Star Walker project?

The vision, creativity and passion of G. K. Holland (Greg).

What aspect of the Star Walker project it has been your favorite part so far?

Watching the Star Walker project evolve into this massive multi-media thing.

By Paul Sloan – Star Walker Website Staff