1961 San Diego [USA] † 2012

He stood out as a web designer and a pioneer in the use of Macromedia Flash Player, which for many years was an intrinsic part of the most advanced web pages.

Curtis began studying art to design posters and flyers for his band. When the band disbanded, Curtis, now in his thirties, began taking Photoshop classes at night.
This led to some part-time design work and eventually an entry-level position at Macromedia, where he gradually became design director.
There, in 1996, he designed the first website using a new technology, the Flash Player browser plug-in, which became a landmark in web design.

In 1997, Curtis founded HillmanCurtis, Inc., a New York-based design firm that focused on web design and, later, film production. In 2000, he published a practical guide, Flash Web Design, which sold over 100,000 copies and remains a reference text for online design.
In total, he has published four books on new media design, which have sold more than 150,000 copies and have been translated into 14 languages.
He has designed sites for Yahoo, Adobe Systems, and the Metropolitan Opera, among others.