Nirmal Merchant

Its amazing how having websites that reflects ones achievements, have become so important for people. After having developed almost 10 different websites, I have realized how the websites are not just cyber presences but an extension of the identities and persona of the ones for whom I have developed them.

Yet I observe that people find it very difficult to describe with precision what they want. Many a times they are heavily influenced by what they have seen around or what people have advised them to be the best or the safest step forward. Others are so misled by their own prejudiced image of their clients who are the ones they intend to attract through their websites.

Two thumb-rules I play by "It pays to be different" and secondly "Have tremendous respect for your clients". I respect the years of experience that my clients have in interacting with their customer base.. they know them quite well.. but they have never explored whether they could delight them with something different. Another important aspect to realize.. is that the website is also an opportunity for my clients to express themselves creatively. I have learnt that it pays to listen and allow them to demonstrate, illustrate, gesticulate what they want.

The first thumb-rule helps me delight my clients. At times it is obvious that your client's ideas are not that appealing or atleast you don't seem to get the right picture in your mind.. or the beauty that lies in their ideas. I suffer from that defficiency too.. So I go by my gutt feeling.. I prepare a design that I think I would like to make if I were in their shoes.. Yes, its the same principle that I use when I act in my theatre group. Getting into the skin of the character.. talking.. walking.. feeling like the character.. And believe you me, I have had my clients leap with joy, scream in delight.. when they see a certain design of mine..

Now I don't say that I know anything about graphic design.. Infact I know nothing and it is in this area that Miss. Orsella Reyes.. an upcoming graphical and interiors designer and architect has come to my rescue.. Orsella has been kind to offer me training in color theory and use of graphic design tools such as Photoshop and Illustrator to help me out. In return.. I explain her and walk her through the process of a website design and development. I never knew there was such a reliable thumb-rule as the color-wheel and devices such as complementary, monochromatic, analogous themes to help you with color combinations..

None the less, I am proud of my latest creation.. the website for mythologist Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik. I looked at a couple of books that Devdutt had written and found a common thread running through them. It was his humility inspite of vast knowledge in the subject that struck me.. and it was the pair of eyes and a couplet.. an original creation of the writer himself that reflected this attitude. I knew at once that it was to be the homepage of the writer.. Devdutt again is not someone who sings his own praise.. He is an illustrator too and a very good one at that. I decided to use this little known talent of his on the homepage.. the background images around the eyes.. A slight hint of color and an innovative use of blogs is all that took to create this website. I am glad to say.. he is extremely pleased with it.

As much as it has pleased him.. I have been most satisfied with my latest creation.. but I know that perfection is a never ending race.. and these are but WIPs on the way.