MEET #4977 CHARLIE CLARK
Front-End Developer • New York, NY
WNW Member #4977 Charlie Clark graduated from Parsons in 2012, and has since been working as a developer, building a number of award-winning sites. He's currently a full-timer at B-Reel. Charlie offers some advice to his fellow creatives: "Whenever you have an idea, write it down. Then, whenever you have some spare tame, look at your list, pick an idea and start working on it, and then keep pushing it until you have something that you’re happy with. And don’t keep your work to yourself! Share it all over the place, you never know what people are going to like."
The Colors of Motion
1. How long have you been full-time? How do you weigh the benefits of freelancing and full-timing?
I’ve been full-time for almost 3 years, since I graduated from school. Aside from small projects I don’t have much experience freelancing. But as far as I can tell there are advantages and disadvantages to both. As a freelancer, you have more flexibility to move around, and - if you’re good enough - to cherry pick your projects. As a full-timer however, I think you’re more likely to work on the more fun and experimental projects, which is often where you learn new skills.
2. Is there a time or place that you feel most creative/have the best ideas?
I really like working in coffee shops. That’s usually where I like to be when I’m working on a personal project. Some people find the noise distracting, but for me it’s almost the opposite. There’s this place around the corner from my apartment that has great wifi and where a lot of people go to work and the energy is contagious.
3. What's your ideal Working:Not Working ratio?
I’d love to have more time to work on my personal projects. I think if I could one day strike a 50:50 ratio of Working:Not Working I’d be really happy.
4. Do your parents understand what you do?
Hah. They know that I do something with computers and the internet, but as soon as I mention writing code their eyes glaze over.
5. What scene from a movie makes you laugh just thinking about it?
In Hannah and Her Sisters, Wood Allen’s character is a huge hypochondriac. He convinces himself that he’s got a brain tumor or something. When he goes to the doctor and finds out that he’s totally fine, he’s relieved and happy for like five minutes, before his fear of death kicks in again. I’m a bit of a hypochondriac myself and I find that scene pretty hilarious.
6. If you were stranded on a desert island, with your computer, what 3 websites would you take with you?
Netflix, Wikipedia and Reddit.
7. What do you do when Not Working?
When I’m not working I like to check out new restaurants. I also like to cook. Basically I really like food. I’m also into yoga, movies, cocktails and running (preferably not in that order.)
8. Do you have a hidden talent?
I make a pretty mean guacamole.
9. Do you have any tips for freelancers and fellow full-timers?
The cool thing about being a developer is that if you have an idea, chances are you can execute it (or at least prototype it.) So my advice is this: whenever you have an idea, write it down. Then, whenever you have some spare tame, look at your list, pick an idea and start working on it, and then keep pushing it until you have something that you’re happy with. And don’t keep your work to yourself! Share it all over the place, you never know what people are going to like.
10. What's your favorite thing on the internet this week?
I thought this was pretty neat: http://www.fromanchovy.com. Type to create gradients that can be made into silk scarves.
11. Who are some other WNW members whose work you admire?
Mathias Paumgarten, Kyle Phillips, Simon Lindsay, Daniel Savage