Mariel Cameron is Kelly White's right-hand girl - her savvy blend of design critiques and acerbic wit have been an asset to KWD since its inception. Friends since high school, Mariel first introduced Kelly to computer graphic design by way of her little sister's Crayola coloring book computer program. Needless to say, Kelly delighted all with her artistic renderings of happy gradient-filled fruits and the rest is history.

First off, what is your role in the company?

Keeping Kelly's web design at its very best. My job is to be honest and always tell Kelly what I think no matter how many hours she has spent in front of the computer. Sure, she'll try and sway my opinion with sob stories about how all her meals are catered by Little Caesar's and Hamburger Helper and that she can't get a flash element to work---but I just tell her to dry those tears because your site would suck without it. Being an artist myself, I have a keen eye for color and aesthetics, I've drawn and painted all my life, and have taken several painting and sketch classes from middle school through to college. I also have very high standards. And while Kelly HATES it if I tell her the font is too small, your links aren't the right color, or, better yet, I just don't like it---Let me assure you, she wouldn't have it any other way.

How did you get started in the web consulting business?

I was the only person Kelly knew with a cable modem. Kelly needed someone who could appreciate where she was coming from in terms of design and could look at a working website while on the phone, and thereby, heap praise upon said website. I've been friends with Kelly since our freshman year of high school and in the 12 years since, have come to learn the following: she is a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright, has - some might say - an unnatural encyclopedic knowledge of fonts, considers it one of life's great boons to see her name in print, and believes in the power of a well-designed website.

What constitutes good design?

I like it.

Bad design?

I don't like it---and people, let me take this time to address some pet peeves here and by doing so, clarify "I don't like it":

1. Neon Color---attention getting when it's a rave flier, an eye bleeder on your home pc. If someone designed you a site with neon color, you tell them "NO."

2) (While we're on the subject of raves) Anything animated to flash like a strobe light will only alienate your epileptic clients.

3) Clip Art and Animated Gifs are NOT for Amateurs---and by this I mean, all of the following will ear-mark your site as looking amateur-ish: I HATE that little construction dude diggin' on your "Coming Soon" page, I don't like trails of anything chasing my every move of the mouse(they have a hypnotic delay that covers information and lures sailors to their deaths), I do not like anything doing a jaunty march in a row like the Seven Dwarves off to the mines---trying to navigate a site with those little buddies is like trying to read "Brave New World" on the Teacups ride: you just made me hate both without ever giving it a chance.

So, in summary, if your current site has any of these negative qualities: you, my friend, may have a bad website. But don't worry, Kelly White Design can rescue you!

What do you look for in a website?

That I like it, i.e. it's interesting to look at, has a great color palette, there are things to click on, read, buy, learn, if it lacks any of these essentials I leave! Websites are marketing TOOLS, not mission statements with a ".com" on the end! They should be used not only by you, but your customers as well.

How is Kelly White Design different?

Kelly White Design has never been one to churn out a cookie-cutter, average website. Kelly White Design stands for quality. This is a design company that really takes the time to create a unique and effective presence on the web for each of its clients. Feel free to take a look at her portfolio - there's some good stuff in there!

Any advice for business owners looking to get a website started?

Don't settle for a cheap design layout at an unreasonable price! You're paying for something that has the potential to reach millions, and it should represent your company to the best of its ability. If your site ends up looking like countless others in the portfolio of the design company you chose, you should know that you're just another number in a long line of faceless clients to them. Personally, I have a hard time taking a company seriously if they have an unprofessional, unoriginal, or otherwise low budget-looking website (check out my bad design pet peeves above if you need that clarified). When you don't look like you care about how your website is designed that sends a message to any potential new business---because, when I see a bad website, it makes me very wary as to how reputable, well established, and otherwise successful that company actually is. If you wear a nice suit to work, why shouldn't your website do the same? It's your best company representative 24/7!