Where'd you come from?

I graduated in 2008 from the University of Pennsylvania, having majored in Digital Media Design (a nice combination of technology, design and communication) and minored in Psychology and Fine Arts with an extra concentration in Architecture. I started working at Apple after my junior year and moved to Silicon Valley to continue doing so after graduation. Now, however, I work at Google.

No like, where originally?

Oh, a little rural town called Newtown in Connecticut. I was lucky #7 in my high school graduating class.

Your site has a lot of different stuff.

Yeah I do a little bit of everything. There are too many nifty things to do to narrow it down, so I try my hand at anything I can. I'm not even sure the technology world is where I want to end up. But it's fun and diverse for now.

Omg! you're sooo multi-talented! do you have a girlfriend?

...is that relevant?

Maybe? hey. do you ... wanna go to dinner?

This is not a very professional interview...

Sorry, i'll get back on topic. so how do you spend your time?

Well, I love making things work, solving problems creatively and designing things. So, the more I know, the better I understand. Oh - and when I say "design" I don't just mean icons or graphic design - I mean design as a whole, on a large scale: the fusion of technology with humanity/psychology and the arts, putting the human experience first from when you create the product to how it gets used. I'm an idea person and I naturally find myself in the leadership positions where I end up putting the best of all worlds together to make something. I feel I have a strong sense of how things should look and feel.

Wait...are you an engineer or a designer?

I'm both, but also a management type. I have the qualities of an "introverted engineer" and an "extroverted artist" but I'm neither. I'm the middle-man, the communicator. I usually work best being the glue between many forces. I have very strong writing and communication skills too. For most of my pre-college life, I liked designing layouts and cartoons in MS Paint. I also had a strong passion for architecture, floor plans and interior design. Originally I decided to pursue architecture in college, but instead turned to the layouts and spaces in the digital media world, pursuing HCI and interaction design. I love doing anything related to design, technology and communicating that design through the technology.

What's your favorite color?

Currently? #286ea0, but I really like a lot of colors and good color schemes.

Really? I like red.

Red's okay.

You're okay.

Okay.

Describe your work style.

I work extremely fast. I didn't know how to program very well two years ago. I really don't like when I don't understand something. I have a hard time using frameworks when I code because I don't like treating a folder of scripts as a "black box" that just works. I need to know how it works and be able to make my own versions. I do this by staying up all night if I have to, running tests and experiments in order to figure something out. Now I can usually turn out a website overnight.

A site overnight? can you make me one??

I used to do client work in college and then professionally in the early half of 2009, but since I've got a fulltime job, I don't do client work anymore.

Fine. Well then what's your motivation?

Other than my constant need to figure things out on my own, I love when I am able to do something that positively affects others. When I was young, it was to create a cartoon series that everyone would enjoy. When I turned to architecture, it was about creating spaces that people liked being in. In regard to websites, I really care about creating a product that will be useful to many people and I'm always thinking of new ideas.

Have any other interests?

Of course. User Experience Design isn't my life. Or maybe it's just 90% of it. I've also been playing piano since I was 4, love music and have done acting (concentration in improv) for several years as well. I also practice magic, stand-up comedy, engage in random film-making and am interested in kayaking, rafting, cooking, 3D modeling, psychology, journalism, writing, squash, animals (especially squirrels) and movies.

Where can i learn more?

If you really like me that much, you can check out my random blog - Fish of the Bay. I suppose you could also stalk me on Facebook, Linkedin and my Digital Media Design profile. But don't you want to go play in the sun?

I have more questions. Dinner?

I can't, I have to wash my hair. But you can contact me if you really want to.