Interview Laie for the site Smileypad.com

What is your real name?

Laie: My name is Juan Montanyes.

Where are you in the world?

Laie: I live in Barcelona. Nice City near the Mediterranean sea.

What tools do you use to create your emoticons?

Laie: I use Adobe photoshop CS, Easy gif animator 3 and sometimes Ulead Gif animator 5, maybe last one is the best program but I need to learn how it goes.

What inspires you when making emoticons?

Laie: I don`t know exactly, life and simple things. Sometimes I see another animated gif or smiley that are pleasant to me and I try to do it better.

Have you any formal training in computer art?

Laie: No artistic training.

What got you started?

Laie: The same as others, curiosity and the need know If I can do natural movements to the images,... and share my work.

And the hardest part is?

Laie: Do something cool, that can immitate people. I have serious problems with expressions and some movements.

What do you do 'outside' of the Internet?

Laie: I am pharmacist.

What is your view on people that use your emoticons without permission?

Laie: My smileys want to live and need other computers... All can be used without conditions.

Who is your favorite emoticon artist other than yourself?

Laie: Fools and Aiwan. but Fools is the best... The number one. Special thanks to Aiwan and his great site.

What is your most favorite thing in the whole world?

Laie: Easy, my family. My wife and my two sons.

And finally, do you have any advice for emoticonists' out there?

Laie: Patience and know that one good smiley is better than fifty regular so if it is necessary keep at it until it is perfect.

Interviewed for Smileypad.com on 13 September 2006.