Meet Brian Lewis, a developer here at SLD.
Tell us a little about your background in development…How’d you get started in it?
I started out “designing” and “developing” websites in middle school, around 1998. Back then, it was Netscape vs Internet Explorer, and one had to develop in the mindset that they had to either make a site specifically for one of the browsers, or make a different version of the site for each browser. It was an awkward era to start in, but I think that helped me appreciate the new things that came out over time.
What do you enjoy most about web development?
When I slap a piece of code together, expecting to have to debug and fix a lot of things, and it works the first time. When it just works like that, it’s the adult equivalent of building the London Bridge out of Legos and destroying it with your Hot Wheels.
What are your development specialties?
My specialty would have to be User Experience. That’s what I’ve spent most of my career doing, specifically, so I think that’s what I would consider my specialty.
What’s your all-time favorite movie?
Depends on the day. How would I answer that question, today? I would have to say it’s Sunshine. My favorite movies tend to rotate between Sunshine, Moon, and Equilibrium. All Sci-Fi.
If you were a sesame street character which one would you be and why?
It would have to be Grover. I always felt he was the least appreciated in the group, and I felt he was quite funny, and light-hearted, which I strive to be. So I’d love to be Grover.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
My biggest pet peeve would have to be people that kick/bump the back of chairs in movie theaters. Or being noisy in a theater in general. I don’t mind stuff like sneezing or coughing. It’s the blatant yapping or banging on the back of my chair that makes me appreciate Netflix that much more.
Who are some of the developers you admire?
One guy I follow quite regularly is Todd Motto. I tend to get a lot of ideas from him. He also releases lots of his code for free, and is very hands on with fellow developers/newbies alike. Add him on Facebook, chat him up. Very friendly guy.
What do you like most about being a part of SLD?
Working with Sarah has been quite a breath of fresh air. I’ve been on the design side of things as well, but I wanted to concentrate more on developing, so we have a good connection there. She’s a lot less stuffy than most designers, and really thinks about her designs before she lays them out in Photoshop. I really appreciate that!
If you could give your clients one tip to successful development, what would it be?
Do research your competitor’s sites, and know your target audience. Are you a law firm? You probably don’t want a flashy site with explosions. You want something that looks professional and serious. There are too many people that go into this thinking about what looks “cool”, without thinking about what’s functional or appropriate.
