Meet Our Team: Jacob Tarr
Why and how did you get into web design and development?
I started blogging about movies back in college on sites like Squarespace and always kind of wished I had more flexibility with the designs they gave you. And from there, I began to tinker around with the template code they gave you. It was this design/development phase that always seemed to pique my interest, rather than the blogging itself. I moved on from Squarespace and eventually started to move to more intermediate stuff like WordPress theming. I also took additional schooling to learn more about the development and I was always learning about new things in my spare time as well (and still am).
Why and how did you get into web design and development?
I started blogging about movies back in college on sites like Squarespace and always kind of wished I had more flexibility with the designs they gave you. And from there, I began to tinker around with the template code they gave you. It was this design/development phase that always seemed to pique my interest, rather than the blogging itself. I moved on from Squarespace and eventually started to move to more intermediate stuff like WordPress theming. I also took additional schooling to learn more about the development and I was always learning about new things in my spare time as well (and still am).
What keeps you going? What’s your favorite thing about the work you do?
I think that level of satisfaction you feel when you complete a challenging site. It’s definitely nice to look back on the work you’ve done. And can also be useful for working on future projects.
What’s something you wish more people knew about our field or your job?
That the web development process takes longer than I think the average person realizes. Anybody can go on Wix and Squarespace and pick a random template and get a blog up, but I think it takes a careful amount of planning and fine tuning to get what most clients want in a finished product.
What’s something you wish more people at Southleft knew about you, or what’s something about you that not many at Southleft know?
I think a lot of my coworkers know I like to do photography on the side as a hobby, but many might not know I’m also into cycling (particularly on gravel roads and some light trails). Trying to ride my bike a little more this year than last year, but it’s something I’ve been doing for most of my life. It’s obviously good exercise, but I also do it to enjoy nature and the outdoors as well. A lot of times hiking and riding around in the car can get monotonous and boring, so I like to switch it up.
What’s something you wish more people at Southleft knew about you, or what’s something about you that not many at Southleft know?
I think a lot of my coworkers know I like to do photography on the side as a hobby, but many might not know I’m also into cycling (particularly on gravel roads and some light trails). Trying to ride my bike a little more this year than last year, but it’s something I’ve been doing for most of my life. It’s obviously good exercise, but I also do it to enjoy nature and the outdoors as well. A lot of times hiking and riding around in the car can get monotonous and boring, so I like to switch it up.
What Southleft project are you proudest of?
There’s been a few. BMoreArt Magazine, Aruliden and most recently New Books Network are all sites that were challenging but fun to work on.
AI: Exciting or terrifying?
Probably both. There are some exciting things happening down the pipeline for AI to assist in the tech industry, but at the same time scary in the fact it has the potential to kill off jobs.
If you unexpectedly had a day off to only relax or do things that make you happy, and you were not allowed to do chores or be productive (unless that’s what makes you happy—unless you’re secretly a dishwashing aficionado), how would you spend it?
I’ll usually escape the city if possible and find some quiet Arizona backcountry roads to go exploring, ride my bike, hike or camp (sometimes all of them!).
What are your fitness goals? Do you have a fitness or wellness routine?
I’m usually pretty random and don’t really have a routine, but I like to do some form of exercise every day. Whether that be working out, going for a bike ride, or go for a hike on a nearby trail.
If you unexpectedly had a day off to only relax or do things that make you happy, and you were not allowed to do chores or be productive (unless that’s what makes you happy—unless you’re secretly a dishwashing aficionado), how would you spend it?
I’ll usually escape the city if possible and find some quiet Arizona backcountry roads to go exploring, ride my bike, hike or camp (sometimes all of them!).
What are your fitness goals? Do you have a fitness or wellness routine?
I’m usually pretty random and don’t really have a routine, but I like to do some form of exercise every day. Whether that be working out, going for a bike ride, or go for a hike on a nearby trail.