Marco Pifferi of TweakerSoft is the developer of VectorDesigner, a vector application for the Mac and winner of the Macworld Best of Show Award in January 2008. In this interview we will find out how VectorDesigner was born, and where it’s going in the future.
How did you become a software developer? Was it always your choice of career or did it start as a hobby?
I have always been a software developer. I learned to program when I was very young and I always wanted to do that as my main job.
What prompted you to make a vector application? What were your goals while creating it?
Computer graphics has always been my main interest, so I worked for about 10 years in a company developing a CAD/CAM application where I acquired a lot of experience with graphics. I wanted to develop a fun, simple vector drawing application that everybody can use, with a user interface similar to other Apple applications such as Keynote and Pages.
How long did it take you to finish the first version of VectorDesigner? How many people worked on it, and how many are working on it now?
VectorDesigner was developed by me in about one year; I am still the only developer working on the product.
Did you submit VectorDesigner to the Apple Design Awards this year?
Yes.
What sets VectorDesigner apart from other vector applications available for the Mac?
VectorDesigner has some unique features such as the FlickrBrowser, and some rare features such as the Raster conversion. It has been designed to be fun with the the effect panel or iSight integration, and the user interface is very similar to Apple applications such as Keynote and Pages.
Can you tell us which features will be added in the next updates?
A lot of things will be added in the future but I do not want to anticipate anything. I will try to release new versions often so please stay tuned.
What are your future plans for VectorDesigner? Do you plan on making it a competitor of Adobe Illustrator?
I will improve the application (I have a lot of ideas and a lot of ideas are coming from customers), but I do not want VectorDesigner be an Adobe Illustrator competitor: I am more targeted towards a consumer or prosumer market and I will go in that direction.
Do you have any advice for aspiring software developers?
I am not sure I can give advice to anyone… hmmm… I can only say that you should enjoy what you do!
Thanks again to Marco for taking the time to answer these questions, and good luck for the Apple Design Awards! I’m looking forward to the next VectorDesigner update 
Tags: interviews, VectorDesigner