From bytes to bites, here’s what makes our developers tick.

Name: Vanessa McKenzie

Current residence: Los Angeles, CA

How did you get into web developing?

I took some dev classes in college, but I really only started paying attention when it came to launching my own portfolio. I do not have a coder’s brain, so web development always seemed so out of reach for me. However, I’ve gained so many tips and tricks over the past handful of years and I mostly have strangers on the internet to thank for that.

Favorite WOTW site you’ve designed and why?

I had so much fun working on smallworld.marketing. I spent far too much of my own free time tweaking little things here and there, but I’m super proud of the end result. It is a strong addition to their brand kit and presents all the information in a playful, easy-to-follow way.

Where do you work best?

Wherever I can control the music.

Workspace essentials?

Natural light, snacks, fresh air: the Holy Trinity.

Best learning resources?

My peers, whether that’s fellow WOTW designers or the aforementioned strangers on the internet.

Favorite Squarespace feature?

The code block is essential for customizing an otherwise very templatized website. It goes hand-in-hand with the Custom CSS feature. Some of the integrated animations are also really nice for designers who don’t want to get too deep into code but need to add a bit of movement to a page.

Best source of creative inspiration?

I go on a LOT of walks and have found the relationship between nature and the built environment to be extremely inspiring. The other day I saw three varieties of bougainvillea winding their way through the fence at the edge of an abandoned lot… I used that as color palette inspiration.