In Craig Robinson's universe, the faces of historic figures, rock stars and modern works of art are reduced to a few pixels. What's left are the pop icons' most identifiable features -- Elvis's gyrating hips, Mickey's ears and the Beatles' hair-dos -- in a 1/2-inch tall illustration, also known as a minipop.

The 30-year-old British designer has built a Web empire inhabited by whimsical pixellated illustrations. His website, Flip Flop Flyin', features more than just hundreds of minipops; there's also a mini museum of modern art to click through, a mini webcam that follows small bottles of condiments around Europe and a short animated series called "fun fun fun," which features scenes of a boy hugging a UPS man and waving at an airplane, activities guaranteed to make anyone smile. It's these simple pleasures that Robinson appreciates and says he wants to share with the world.

That's all fine and dandy, but lately the pop culture and music fiend says he can't escape the mini world he's created. He's always thinking of what can be shrunken next. Sometimes he even dreams in mini. Lucky for us, he took time out of his schedule to talk to sari sari about the mini madness.

sari sari: So, how and when did you think of the minipops, anyway? And what, if any, were your influences?
craig robinson: It was June '99. After a couple of weeks of being devoid of inspiration, I spent a Sunday evening watching some rubbish film on the telly. Then, out of nowhere came a desire to draw the Beach Boys [Craig's all-time favorite band] really, really small-- as small as possible, but keeping it so they were still recognizable as the Beach Boys. The Beach Boys lead to the Beatles, then Kraftwerk, then Elvis.

Then it got out of hand.

I suppose the biggest influences when I started doing all this were [illustrators] Naho and Mumbleboy, 'cause they just seemed to exist in their own little universes, which is kinda what I wanted to do.

ss: You've definitely succeeded in creating a happy, mini universe. I love the mini moma and I have to say, my favorite minipop is Bjork. Do you have a favorite minipop?
cr: I'm pretty fond of the Pet Shop Boys with the wigs and dogs. And Michael Jackson dancing in the Billie Jean video. And the animated Bjork, too.

ss: Do you ever play miniature golf?
cr: We call it crazy golf over here, and yeah, I play it when I visit the seaside. I'm rubbish, though.

ss: Would you ever do a mini Mini-Me (the Austin Powers character)?
cr: Since you mentioned it, I've done him now!

ss: Have you ever tried Frosted Mini-Wheats? Do you like them?
cr: Hmm, they're probably called something different over here. But, no, I haven't tried them, and I'm unlikely to. Sugar on cereal is wrong.

ss: Do you own a mini Maglite (flashlight)?
cr: No, but I'd like one. I have got a mini Etch-a-Sketch, though.

ss: If you had $50 to spend at a mini-mart, what would you buy?

cr: Tomato juice, orange juice, Weetabix, Wrigley's Extra peppermint gum, semi-skimmed milk, marmite, Sunpat crunchy peanut butter, bread, mature cheddar, tomatoes, courgettes, mushrooms, onions, a newspaper, Camel Lights cigarettes, Vanilla yogurt, Reeses peanut butter cups, coffee, AA batteries and a mini milk ice cream lolly.

ss: What do you think about mini-skirts?
cr: They're splendid things.

ss: If actress Minnie Driver came up to you and asked you out, what would you say?
cr: Yes, it'd be a pleasure.

ss: Okay, this is getting a bit too goofy...
cr: But being silly is what it's all about, isn't it?