Developing Story: Eric Anderson
From bytes to bites, here’s what makes our developers tick.
Name: Eric Anderson
Current residence: Independence, MO
How did you get into web developing?
For most of my adult life, I was in sales. Not really by design, I just kind of fell into it and people seemed to buy what I was selling, so it worked. In 1999, I was outbound direct sales at a computer supply with a large online presence. The call center was set up with stadium seating — 10 levels down to ‘The Pit,’ where all the managers stood and eyeballed you while you made calls. They would also roam the levels and could monitor any call at any time. You could hear them ‘click in’ while you were chatting with a client. It was the worst.
After a few years of succeeding at this terrible job (I was ‘top row’), I realized the most interesting thing I had learned was how powerful websites could be. All of these people in all of these buildings on 24-hour shifts, manually tapping into the same distribution software that ran the website… wow. That day I told my wife I wanted to move to California and be a web designer. One year later — to the day — we were in a U-Haul bound for the west coast.
Favorite WOTW site you’ve designed and why?
It’s always the one I just finished. For me, the act of solving a puzzle is what brings satisfaction. Each site has a special requirement that has to be worked out, designed and presented just right.
Where do you work best?
I work best in a cool and comfortable coffee shop with views of the city. But I live in the country and I hate being in public, so my home office is really great.
Workspace essentials?
Mac. Magic Mouse. A great lamp and comfortable chair. Beoplay A1 for beats and riffs. Cable management. Window with a view. Blue light blocking readers. This one is probably not essential, but it’s worth mentioning I prefer a linoleum top on my desk with lots of elbow room.
Best learning resources?
Without a doubt, CSS Tricks.
Favorite Squarespace feature?
The best features are the ones you don’t see. Since I’ve been developing websites since the early days, I really appreciate all the hard stuff that Squarespace does automatically and in the background. And the layout engine that makes it so easy to design and build a page.
Best source of creative inspiration?
Savee.it Find me there. I’m @esquareda.
Favorite shortcut or tip of the trade?
Clear your cache and refresh. Learn to use Inspector.
What are you binge-watching?
'Ozark.’ Over and over again.
Favorite meal?
Bacon and eggs.
What are you hoping for in 2021?
Less fear and hate, more love and light.
Find Eric’s web design and photography work at his personal website, https://bio.site/esquareda.
