Interview with a Web Developer (Q&A with Jon Kidger)

Our senior web developer talks responsive websites, tables and sports in our first Q&A video.

This week, we caught up with Jon Kidger (Senior Web Developer at Splitpixel) to find out what makes him tick, how he delivers first-class responsive websites every time and why he’s stuck around for nine years.

 

Who are you?

My name is Jonathan Kidger (aka. Jon or Kidge in the office) and I’m Senior Web Developer at Splitpixel.

How long have you worked at Splitpixel?

I’ve been at Splitpixel for pretty much exactly nine years now. I joined the company in September 2010, so I’ve just celebrated my nine-year anniversary.

Why did you want to work in web development?

I first became interested in computers at a young age – all the way back in high school. I remember when the internet was first installed at my house and when I got my first PC. I was driven by my curiosity. I played games on it, I developed things and my interest kept growing.

Once I finished college, I had to decide what to do at university. I explored my interests further through an interactive multimedia course. When I came to decide which branch of interactive multimedia I wanted to go into, it had to be web development.

Can you remember the first website you ever built?

No. I can’t remember the first ever website I built – that was before my time at Splitpixel. That being said, I do remember that it was very old-school. It was built using tables! It definitely wasn’t responsive; it didn’t work on mobile phones. Things were very different to how they are today.

How has web development changed since then?

Since building my first website, web design and web development has changed drastically. Like I said before, we were building in tables and they weren’t responsive.

Since then, we’ve seen the introduction of mobile phones, tablets, laptops – so many different devices – which initiated this massive boom in responsive web design. Websites have to work on all these different devices now.

How has your personal approach to web development changed?

I’m quite methodical in my approach to web development. I get involved in a project from a very early stage. I like to weigh in on a project from the get-go and see it through to launch. I take the design from Rob or Amy (our designers) and transform it into a working, functional and responsive website that fits the client’s every need.

What are your goals when building a site?

My main goal when developing a website is to provide a sleek, professional and easy to use site for the client’s customers. At the end of the day, the website is the client’s shop window. It needs to attract customers in and get them interacting.

In terms of what I hope to provide for the client, it’s an easy to use CMS (content management system) so that they can regularly update their website with ease.

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What does the future hold?

It’s hard to say where web development is headed – the future is always in flux. Who knows what ground-breaking technology is about to be unleashed? It’s an ever-evolving industry.

What I do know is that it’s essential as a company to keep up to date with the latest technology news and keep your finger on the pulse for new trends. Will these new trends and technologies be beneficial to your client? If yes – you introduce them into the development process and that is something we do here at Splitpixel.

Why do you enjoy working at Splitpixel?

I’ve been here for nine years! That’s because this small, close-knit team feels more like a family. Everyone here plays a vital part in the services we deliver for our clients.

How do you unwind?

As a web developer, I spend countless hours behind a desk – so naturally, I unwind with sports. I’m quite an active person – gym, football, golf, snowboarding, wakeboarding – anything to get me out in the fresh air and away from my screen.

If you had a superpower, what would it be and why?

Flight – because why not? It would be so cool to be able to go wherever you want, whenever you want.

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Ready to meet the whole team? From web development to design and marketing, we’ve got you covered. Learn a little more about the Splitpixel squad here.