This is our third "Interview With An Emoticonist" in the series. This time Mazeguy puts pen to paper and tells us his secrets to success :).

Mazeguy

What is your real name?
Mike Perrucci.
Where are you in the world?
Pennsylvania, USA.
What tools do you use to create your emoticons?
Paint Shop Pro and Animation Shop.
What inspires you when making emoticons?
When I first started, I just thought of how many different smileys I could represent with smilies. Years of watching cartoons and reading comic strips helped me draw the eyes and mouths just right. Then I moved on to symbols, objects, outfits, holidays, and so on. And just when I think I can't come up with anything else, I get a request for something I never would've thought of. Until I have a smiley for every word in the dictionary, I don't think I'll ever run out of inspiration. So to the xylophonists of the world I say, "Hang in there, I'll get to you eventually!" :D
Have you any formal training in computer art?
I have an Associates Degree in graphics design, but I've been creating computer graphics since I was 8 years old.
What got you started?
My smilies started with this thread. One of Flash Kit's members asked others to make some smilies. I was an active participant in their forums at the time, so I thought I'd give it a try. Folks seemed to like them; I even got a Smiley Award!. It just kind of snowballed from there.
And the hardest part is?
Trying to make an emotion, object, or person represented in a 15x15 image instantly recognizable... and not always getting it right. One time, my Mister Rogers smiley was posted on a message board and people were guessing it was George W. Bush, Maury Povich, or Dick Cavett! :D
What software did you start with compared to what you use now, and why is it better?
My first graphics program was Dazzle Draw for the Apple IIe. The only way I could get good results was to zoom in and draw one dot at a time with one of 16 fixed colors. Today I draw smilies with a magnified view and limit myself to 16 colors for the smallest file size possible (although I can choose my colors from a palette of millions). So basically I'm using the same techniques now that I used almost 20 years ago. :D
What do you do 'outside' of the Internet?
I'm always coming up with ideas for new projects. Animated cartoons, computer games, comic strips, and other stuff. Sometimes I try to do so many things at once that it's tough to finish just one of them.
What is your view on people that use your smileys without permission?
I've accepted the fact that anything I put on the internet can be copied, shared, and reposted so many times that by the time many people see my smilies they honestly have no idea where they originated. I'm okay with that. However, I've seen sites where the entire table structure and fonts I use on my site are copied exactly and no credit is given to me. That bugs me, but I'm grateful that many other people appreciate my work and link to me.
Who is your favorite emoticon artist other than yourself?
I really like the animation Fool uses in his smilies. Most of mine are static, so I can appreciate the extra effort he puts forth.
What is your most favourite thing in the whole world?
I've never met a pepperoni pizza I didn't like.
Can you create a special emoticon just for EmotiPad?
I like to make smilies that I think most people would use. Therefore, I usually pass over things like logos and other personalized icons. However, I have made exceptions. ;)
And finally, do you have any advice for emoticonists' out there?
Have fun!. :)