Last week, we announced the public beta of Google Web Designer, a pro-grade HTML5 authoring tool that helps you create HTML5 ads with ease. We caught up with two creative professionals who participated in the private beta of Google Web Designer -- Francois Girardot, Creative Director and Co-founder of Biborg, and Marius Veltman, Rich Media Expert at Artis Universalis -- to get their thoughts on the new product.

How would you describe the importance of HTML5 to creative development?
Francois: By 2015 there will be more tablet sales than desktop computer sales. As a result of this shift, advertisers need ads that work across all screens. Flash can’t do that, but HTML5 can. We’re focused on responsive advertising and we believe HTML5 is the key to effective multi-screen ad campaigns.

Marius: Since Flash isn’t supported on mobile devices, HTML5 is filling the gap. HTML5 is great because it allows you to develop quickly and add complexity to your designs with each iteration.

How was your transition from Flash to HTML5? Which HTML5 tools did you use before Google Web Designer?
Francois: For us, the transition from Flash to HTML5 has been gradual over the past two years. Clients want more and more campaigns that run on all devices. 

Marius: We've been working with Flash for about 15 years. The transition from Flash to HTML5 has not been without frustration. 
I've always felt I was missing the essential tools to create fast and efficient workflows. 

What are your thoughts on Google Web Designer?
Marius: The learning curve is very manageable, and even if you only have a basic level of knowledge you can build cool HTML5 creatives in a relatively short time.


 

Francois: The code generated is clean, which makes it easier for designers and developers to work together. GWD will surely become the reference for HTML5 animation.

What impact will Google Web Designer have for creative developers and designers?
Marius: Google Web Designer offers an easy way to create HTML5 content. This enables more people to build multi-screen content in the future.

Francois: Designers typically use After Effect or Flash to provide developers with the animation they want. With Google Web Designer, they will have a tool they can use to experiment with animation and code. 

What feature/functionality of Google Web Designer are you most excited about?
Marius: I’m most excited about the 3D functionality - it offers new ways of animating content in HTML5. The speed with which the GWD development team launches iterations is impressive. Clearly Google is really serious about pushing HTML5 onto the market. And we feel that there is much more to come.

Francois: We’re most excited about the integration of Google Web Designer with other Google tools, like DoubleClick. We know that Google will do everything they can to enable creativity and increase advertising quality, especially for ads on mobile.

 **Bonus: Marius was the winner of our Google Web Designer Beta competition with his “Magic Island” HTML5 ad. Check out his ad on the Rich Media Gallery!