Eric Pohl, artist and website designer.

My name is eric pohl.  I have been a visual artist for most of my life.  I work in many disciplines including website design.  As you can see from the following examples, my curiosity takes me further into the nuts and bolts of each discipline.

 

Website Designer

I am proficient in hand-coding both HTML and CSS which gives an element of precise control over stylistic interpretation of web pages.   I also use  WYSIWYG (What You See is What You Get) software (such as Expressionweb or Dreamweaver) mostly for speed.


I Like to Apply Appropriate Graphics.

I have used vector graphics for decades in the sign industry.  One image can be easily scaled for the side of a truck or stadium down to something suitable for display on a cell phone.  

On the other hand, sometimes to grab attention, nothing beats a photograph (a raster image made of pixels).


Colour Theory

Here I truly believe less is more. 

One of the largest flaws of website design is improper use of colour.  Colour should be used to help the viewer of the page navigate their way around.  To start, there should be a focus (the main piece or starting point on the page) and it should have the brightest colour.

Combinations of colours can improve legibility.  For instance, the most readable combination is black against white, but adding a touch of grey in the white reduces eye fatigue.


Typography

Typography is the art of designing and placing type in order to communicate.

Much like colour, the shapes and sizes and styles of type should help the viewer through a page  in a logical order.  Typography is my perennial hobby..


Graphic Design

Graphic design is about orchestrating the elements of design.  It is an aid to making communication interesting, to hold attention, to conveying a theme.

I constantly read design, graphics and typography sources to stay on top of the latest trends.   As I travel through the day, I constantly observe graphics on billboards, flyers, magazines, tv, etc.  Just a habit, I can't help it.


Photography

I have been a photographer all of my adult life.  Starting with a black and white darkroom (and the writings of Minor White and Ansel Adams) until the present day digital camera and Photoshop.  I am rarely without a camera and have had a lifetime of experience with composition and exposure.


Digital Art

I have spent my whole life drawing.  Digital art gives us the superpencil.  Combined with software like Painter ll, hardware such as a graphics tablet, and output on large format digital printers; extraordinary images are possible with relatively effortless modifications.  Fabulous tools in the hands of a website designer. The Cintiq tablet is on my wishlist.


Hand Drawing

And then there's pencil.  It is always available.  Mostly the best way to start working on ideas.. even for a website designer.  I have examples peppered all over this site.

To me pencil drawing is like breathing or walking - enough said.


Oil Painting

I started oil painting about four years ago and it has become something of a passion.  Last year, I placed 4th in International Artist magazine painting competition.  The painting, entitled "Flurry" can be seen in the "FINE ART" tab.