His client list also includes Julian Lennon, Radio Clyde and The Lighthouse Centre for Design and Architecture, where his work was featured as part of the New Scottish Design exhibition in 2002/2003.

Media fun

So what is it about interactive media that works? "Playful, engaging, interactive stuff is fun to explore for anyone if it's done well," he says. "For example, you can go to a big exhibition and come away feeling annoyed and frustrated. Beautiful and interesting artefacts and historical notes can swamp and overwhelm you without creating the desire to come back and look closer. If there's too much in one you go.. aaaargh! It makes it so frustrating. Well designed interactive experiences should make the user feel good, satisfied and be enjoyable."

Fun and games

At the other end of the scale, Kevin also creates distracting little e–cards and games, like the Music Mixer, where you can click on buttons to create your own dance track. It looks like a lot of fun – but how long does it take to put that kind of thing together?

"It depends on the budget and timescale," says the designer. "And it also depends on how clear the initial idea is, as with anything, simple things are quicker to do, but anything with a bit more complexity takes longer."

And there does need to be a constant stream of ideas, he admits, to keep his menagerie going. "I always jot down ideas when I'm out and about.

Sometimes you're talking with someone and an idea crops up. You go on talking and the idea expands from there. I think of it as a game, joining ideas together, refining, changing, making a coherent thing that holds together and that other people will find interesting."

Home truths

A part of Kevin's work now includes heading up workshops for members of the public who want to try computer–based animation, taking part in events like AbilityFest '04, a festival of opportunities for disabled people. He's a busy man – but how easy is it for someone who's into computer animation to set up their own business? "It is not an easy route to take, going freelance," he concedes. "Running your own business is hard and demanding. Resilience, determination and flexibility are essential, and you need a fighting mentality. Don't forget to develop your skills along the way and invest to grow your business. Apart from that you're laughing!"

The key to success

There's a big future for interactive websites and creative computer–based design, Kevin adds. "Most creative work has been sucked into the digital medium because it's so efficient and productive. It's a tool that's transformed creative work." With his roots in life–drawing Kevin has now managed to mix advanced interactive technology with the expressiveness of simple line sketches. It's this, he says, that smaller businesses can succeed at. "With companies like Lasso, the future lies in uniqueness."
Clare Harris for Channel 4 TV, Ideas Factory