My focus is on web applications, advanced websites, process automation, multi-platform application and data integration;
anything related to developing web based tools and platforms.
Learned PhotoShop at home
My first professional design placement was as a graphic design intern for a study abroad company called International Education Management. During my time at IEM I designed graphics, print layouts, landing pages and email notifications and newsletters. About half way through my internship, I was handed the keys to our WordPress site, a moment that will now, forever, live in infamy.
858 Graphics is a commercial small format digital printing shop here in the San Diego area. This was my first, and only, full time job in design, as a pre-press designer and print operator. As time went on my role expanded to include creative design, in which I completed well over a dozen commercial designs for specific production purposes. This is where I learned to meet deadlines and work well under pressure, I was also exposed to some very unique processes and some got to do some of the coolest (albeit hardest) projects of my career.
I began taking web development classes at San Diego Continuing Education. A free resource supported and staffed by faculty from the San Diego Community College District, SDCE offers courses including the Web Specialist Certificate Program, HTML5 - CSS3, Responsive Web Design, JavaScript, jQuery, & WordPress.
Introduced to jQuery in SDCE JavaScript/jQuery hybrid class
After making a firm decision to make the switch to a computer science major outright, I began at Palomar College. In addition to having the only CS major with emphasis in web development (CSWB), it also specializes in open source technology.
Begin PHP programming outside the WordPress framework
In late 2013 I began working for The Impression Chefs, a San Diego based web development and design firm, as a web development contractor. During my time with The Chefs, I solidified a niche with front-end programming and specialized in the more advanced JavaScript/jQuery applications, and maintained the only Angular based project we had. I also greatly expanded my understanding of the inner workings of the LAMP stack, server-side programming, and the complete development process.
In late 2016 I became aware of a new educational experiment called 42, a tuition free software engineering program focused entirely on learning by writing code and sponsored by a French billionaire. After passing the initial online tests, I was invited to take a "Piscine" (French for pool - so swim) a 30 day, 24/7, trial by fire admissions program. After completing my Piscine, I was admitted to the main program where I finished the initial "gatekeeper" projects before returning home to focus again on web development. This is where I learned to write top notch code, solve complex, abstract problems and succeed when the stress is on. At 42 the philosophy IS rigor, the projects are frustrating, the C standard library is strictly off limits and the criteria is made demanding to the point of intentional absurdity - it was amazing...
Began attending Mira Costa College's MAT program majoring in graphic design. Although I left to change gears educationally, my time at Mira Costa was invaluable to my early development in graphic and web design. During my time here I took PhotoShop, Illustrator, Flash, and was introduced to HTML.
My first exposure to WordPress working on IEM homesite
Shortly after leaving 858 Graphics, I began the the DesignLab Project. It started as a name to invoice under for freelance projects. As time went on, I took to the name and came up with a logo and distinct style. In the past few years I have done everything from logo's to graphics for skateboards.
First introduction to JavaScript at SDCE
In late 2014, the HTML5 spec was finally standardized and was gaining widespread acceptance among all the top browsers. Combined with polyfills for backwards compatibility, HTML5 and CSS3 were becoming the standard for modern semantic front end web development. SDCE offered a comprehensive 6 week course focused solely on the two and theory related to the need for a new (old actually) paradigm in thinking about markup and surrounding techniques.
Shortly after beginning at Palomar College, I was introduced to an online training resource called Codecademy. An at times frustratingly difficult online training environment, Codecademy focuses on learning in practical application and problem solving through code validation. Treehouse by contrast, is more of a step by step process with videos, quizzes and code challenges. I found the two complemented each other nicely, and kept me well ahead of the curve in my coursework.
Received my Web Specialist Certification from SDCE
Since finishing my cert at SDCE, my major specific coursework at Palomar and having done extensive development work with the Impression Chefs, I decided the time has come to begin my new freelance project. As per the labratory theme, it's called the DevLab Project and as the name implies it will be the freelance web development lab. The website is in the works now, check back soon to see the final output!
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