Archive for the ‘Geek Work’ Category

Developer vs Designer

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

This is kind of a repost from July 2010, with a couple of changes. See if you can spot them ;)

Recently in my professional career, I have shifted from being a Web Designer Developer to a Web Developer Designer. I love all aspects of building a website- planning, designing and developing, but I have essentially just "planted my flag" in the development camp. For those who are not versed in what Designers and Developers do:

Designers:

Designers make the site look aesthetically nice as well as develop a naturalistic "flow" for navigation and how you move about the site. This involves some coding skills in HTML, CSS, Flash and some Javascript. Web Designers generally come from a training background in design and live in the application pool of Photoshop, Illustrator, Fireworks and Dreamweaver.

Developers:

Developers write the code that makes everything work as it was intended. At times, developers will dip into design with the layout of a form as well as coding the CSS and Javascript. Mostly though, they deal with programing the server-side application in one of many various languages including PHP, asp.NET, Coldfusion, Java, etc...

Eyes glazed over yet? Don't worry, that's as tech-speek as I'll get ;)

It's interesting that both camps look down on each other at some level. Both talented, creative and technical whizzes, each think the other as buffoons.

How Designers see Developers:

Elitist snobby nerds with no style. Coding in their mom's basement til the wee hours in the dark, they alternate between online gaming and writing code that only they can fathom. They dare to actually "design" a page, because they know what a header, body and footer is. They also think there are only 2 fonts in the world- "default" and "Arial."

How Developers see Designers:

Elitist snobby, Starbucks-drinking hipsters. They have rock-star delusions that they're recreating the web with every-freak'n site they build, when it's just another WordPress-looking hack. They dare to pretend they know code because they can hack some html and CSS and tack "developer" on the end of their title because they know how to echo "Hello World" with PHP. BALLS!

The fact is- both camps are right and neither are as good as they think they are ;) After living in the two camps, I've found complete respect for both. They're filled with incredibly talented people that know a great deal about their process. Sure, each could build a decent site without the other, but not a truly exceptional site!

Both need each other!

Posted in Geek Culture, Geek Technology, Geek Work | No Comments »

So I’ve got this new life… (part 1)

Friday, August 19th, 2011

Yeah... I've totally sucked at the blogging thing. Totally fallen down on the job. I've had a reason though. I've totally wanted to tell you all about this new opportunity that's landed in my lap.

I've got a new job.

Now what could draw me away from one of the most noble pursuits as helping to fight cancer? Working at home! That's right, I'm living the dream! NO commute! NO office intrigue! NO pants! TMI? Tough! My commute consists of shuffling to the bathroom, then a few steps to the office.

*Bliss*

Well... That's what it would be like if I wasn't a father. I still have to drive my boy to school and daycare. I know, I know, but don't feel to sorry for me, I still get to stop off at Moxie to get a coffee and pastry (made that morning). It's tough, but my car gets a little love because of it. She misses me anyway (my car).

Enough of the sob story. This job has actually been in the pipeline since mid-March, but we've had to wait until funding was secured. You see, it's a startup- mojoLive.com. It's going to be one of the most fun career sites you've ever used. Yes. A career site- fun! We're in "stealth mode" now so I can't say much more about it, but it's going to totally rock!

Eli White tweeted me if I'd be interested in a fun opportunity, so we met at Panera. I was skeptical when I arrived and totally sold when I left. The team is so top-notch that I couldn't believe I was even considered. Eli White (mojoLive CTO) worked as lead developer at Digg (in it's prime day), as well as NASA and heading up the community outreach for Zend. Sandy Smith (mojoLive CPO) has many years as a talented coder and project team leader as well as organizing the DCPHP User group. Dave Jefferson (mojoLive CEO) has served as Vice President and principal at Worldwide Information Network Systems as well as CTO for BigChange Networks. Mickey Skelton (mojoLive CCO) has too many awesome experience point to write in one sentence, suffice it to say she's the world's best personnel and company culture expert!

Me? I've moved out of pure code writing and back into the design position of Creative Director. Right now, I'm doing the initial design work, but the company will be taking on new coders and designers in the near future. Then, I will be taking on more of the "director" role in "Creative Director."  That being said, I will be coding from time-to-time (I really wouldn't have it any other way).

I just wanted to let everyone know, I'm ok. I'm getting through this.

Posted in Geek Technology, Geek Work | 4 Comments »