Down the FoxHole: Featured Author dxc381

He’s one of the top 15 best-selling authors on FlashDen. He’s approaching 5,000 file sales. He has over 53 items in his FlashDen portfolio. And his top-selling file has sold 499 times. Oh, and he just happens to be the FlashDen Site Manager. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s dxc381!

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from, what do you do for a living?

My author account is dxc381, but you might know me better as Lance Snider, the FlashDen site manager. I grew up a small city north of Seattle, Washington called Bellingham, but now I live in Salt Lake City, Utah. Managing the site takes up most of my time, and building files and doing freelance takes up the rest. I’m married, but there are no babies. Here’s a picture of my wife and me.

2. How long have you been using Flash and what made you start selling items on FlashDen?

I started using Flash around 7 years ago, but didn’t do it full-time until about 5 years ago when I got a job at SkyWest Airlines building online training modules. FlashDen was actually the second stock site I tried to sell my files on. I tried another stock site first, but after waiting a month just to get accepted as an author, I decided to look elsewhere. I found FD and within a month was in the top 20 list. Two months later I got an e-mail from the first stock site saying they had accepted me! Needless to say, I ignored the email. The first few files I uploaded were really just to test the waters and see if it was actually lucrative. My goal was for FD to cover the cost of my internet access. For the last year the money I’ve earned from being an author has covered my mortgage, my gas, and my groceries every month, in addition to my internet access.

3. Do you create files from scratch for FlashDen, or do you re-use work that you’ve created for a client?

Almost everything in my portfolio was built specifically for FlashDen. There are a few where I offered a freelance client a discount rate if I could use elements in a FlashDen file. Other files are studies for larger projects.

4. Where do you get your inspiration for your FlashDen work?

I spend a lot of time on thefwa.com and looking through my Taschen design books, but unfortunately, that’s not when I get my inspiration. My inspiration always comes right as I’m about to fall asleep. An idea pops into my head and I can’t do anything else until I’ve at least written it down. Scott, that should explain why I always email you at 2 a.m.

5. What is your work flow like when starting a new file? Could you walk us through the steps you take when getting ready to create a new file?

My first step is always with a pencil and paper. I usually do a list of features, a project map, and draw a whole series of simple sketches. Step two is to create a bunch of very simple placeholder graphics. Then I write all the functions with comments as to what they’re supposed to do, but I don’t fill them with actual code. That way I don’t paint myself into a corner – I know exactly how the file works before I actually start coding. When I write the ActionScript as I go, I end up with a mess of code that’s twice as long as it needs to be. At that point it’s easy; all I need to do is replace the comments and graphics with the real thing and I’m done.

6. What do you do to market and brand your files? Why did you decide to use the red chili logo/branding?

I love Mexican food so the jalapeño seemed fitting. It was also the only illustration I’d done that looked cool at 20px tall! From the beginning I’ve made a point to brand my files. Every time I see DigitalScience’s black and blue thumbnails I look, because I know it’s going to be good. Everyone knows the jalapeño and I think I get a lot of views I wouldn’t have otherwise received because of it. My wife Haley, who is the other half of dxc381, does things like put my portfolio on each file’s page and upload everything to Adobe Exchange. To encourage my buyers to buy again, I list my featured files in the file instructions.

7. What advice can you give to authors that might help them increase their overall sales?

Learn AS3. It’s so much better and there’s going to come a time when users stop buying AS2 files. To some extent that transition has already begun.

8. Besides yourself, who is your favorite FlashDen author and why do you like them?

Man, that’s a good question. As the site manager am I allowed to have a favorite? I have a few, but I think my number one right now is Parker&Kent. Everything they do is just so minimalistic and classy. I’ve also got a little crush on just about everything made with Papervision3D.

9. Which file do you think is your best file so far?

I think it’s either the fine art gallery or the hand-drawn deep-linking Web site. They were both fun to build and totally unique on FlashDen.

10. What one thing would you like to change about FlashDen if you could?

Haha. That’s a question I ask myself every day! There are a ton of cool new features in the works right now, but the one I’m most excited to see is the new design. It’s top secret so I can’t say much, but I can say that it’s a lot more than just a face-lift.

11. When you aren’t developing cool Flash files, what do you do for fun?

When I’m not doing Flash? When is that? I’m not great at it, but I love mixed martial arts. I train with some really talented jiu-jitsu and kick-boxing guys. If you ever feel the urge to hit me and you’re in the Salt Lake area, be sure to shoot me an e-mail. I’d be happy to oblige! I also love to travel. In fact, I’m going to Alaska next week. Some of my favorite things I’ve done on trips include exploring ancient ruins, white water kayaking, and shark cage diving.

12. Would you like to give a sneak peek of the latest file you are currently working on to our readers?

My current project is very similar to my fine art gallery, but 3D (see image, above.)

View dxc381’s portfolio.

Read more interviews with FlashDen authors.