Since The Chemical Brothers very first show, Adam Smith has been the man behind the stunning live visuals that the electronic duo have become renowned for.

His visuals, music videos, documentaries and drama have drew praise across the world earning him numerous awards including Best Music Video for The Chemical Brothers "Galvanize' at Resfest 2005 and Best Music Video for The Streets "Blinded by the Lights' at the Digital Music Awards 2005.

With excitement rising for The Chemical Brothers return to Creamfields this year, we caught up with Adam to find out what visual spectacles we should expect from their live show and how, after 23 years in the business he is still managing to keep his projects fresh and exciting.

How did your relationship come about with The Chemical Brothers?

I met Ed and Tom when they were the Dust Brothers and they needed some visuals for their first live show (a twenty minute set in those days). They had seen and liked our visuals (at the time it was myself and Noah Clark under the name of Vegetable Vision) at Andy Weatherall's club Sabre Sonic. In fact we did that short set at Cream a long, long time ago with two slide projectors and a 16mm film projector and a 12 X 6 foot screen.

How do you create the visuals?  Do you start off with a theme then progress from that?

It's a reaction to the music more than anything else and then visual themes emerge from that. There is some on-going iconography that carries on in Chemical shows though. A bit of clowning about amongst other things.

What other stuff have you worked on/with?

Nowadays I only do visuals for the Chemical Brothers as I have been working more in drama and developing film projects (see www.flatnosegeorge.com for more details)  Marcus Lyall (co-director of the visuals) works with a lot of other bands (see http://marcuslyall.co.uk/) as well as making amazing art installations.

We saw the visual feast offered when the Chems performed at Creamfields a few years ago, tell us what's in store for festival goers this year?

We've had a lot more time to programme the lights and the visuals this time around and we're working with a very exciting lighting designer called Paul Normandale (www.lite-alt-design.com) so the lights and visuals are working in a harmony never previously seen.

There are also a lot of new visual pieces, some old favourites and some of the pieces from Further. The shows design is new and based around everything emitting from where Ed & Tom are. I think music and visuals wise this is the best it has ever been, as it should be by now, seeing as we have been doing it for long enough!

Also, the new design incorporates a three dimensional cylindrical light sculpture made of low resolution LED screen which has not been seen in previous shows.

What's the next advancement in your opinion for live performers?

More interactive stuff happening in the audience like the sort of thing that Punch Drunk do in their theatre shows. A more immersive/interactive experience rather than just watching the stage show.

I think the projection mapping technique will feature in a lot of shows in the future and 3D.

What's the set up at a live show like Creamfields, how do you work alongside Tom & Ed during their performance?

It will be the biggest show in terms of screen size, lights and variety of visuals than previously seen. Marcus & I programme the show with Paul Normandale and the brilliant Ricardo Lorenzini who then operates the lighting desk live on the night reacting to the acoustic  twists and turns that Ed & Tom come up with that night.

Do you work on music videos also?

I have directed music videos for Chemical Brothers (Galvanize) and quite a few for The Streets amongst others. Marcus has also done a few.

What made you decide to go into creating visuals?

Long time ago now...Basically it was an exciting way to show work and got me and my mates into raves and parties for nothing!

What advice would you give to people wanting to go into this field?

Crack on.

Where do you look for inspiration for your visuals/videos?

Everywhere and Anywhere! Nature, Exhibitions, Films, Theatre, Dance, Science, Experiences...

Are there any live shows you've seen that you wish you had done?

We were supposed to do a completely immersive experience for the Further album that had 360 degree visuals and visuals on the floor and ceiling which would have been amazing. Shame that didn't happen but no one had enough cash!

Are you a clubber yourself? Do you think it's important to go to other artist's live shows to look for new ideas and know what fans will want?

Not so much anymore but you don't forget what it felt like do you? More important to trust your instinct and create rather than looking for ideas from other people or trying to people please. If your vision is original and truthful (and any good) then people will respond. If it is not they won't. But that is not to say that I don't love seeing other shows because I do. I only saw the YouTube of it but the Etienne de Crecy's shows using projection mapping looked brilliant. Truly amazing.

3D - is it a fad or is it the future?

Sometimes it makes my head ache a bit. Don't think it will go away but neither will 2d entirely either.

What is the greatest part of your job?

Seeing people react to the unison of lights, visuals and music at a show. Makes all the hard work worthwhile.

The Chemical Brothers perform on the North Stage of Creamfields on Saturday 27th August Bank Holiday Weekend 2011