In this week’s Freelancer Insides series, we chat to Elad, a freelance developer from Israel! As a freelancer for over 10 years, Elad shares his experiences in freelancing, how he manages a full roster of clients and more in this interview – read the full post now!
(1) Hi Elad, we are delighted to have you in our Insides series! Could you tell us a bit about yourself and what are you up to?
I’m a freelance web-developer from Ramat-Gan, Israel (a suburb of Tel-Aviv). I’m mostly a Front-End developer, working with React.js and Angular.js, but I also code with PHP, and occasionally build custom-made wordpress themes and websites. I often provide Front-End solutions for start-up companies.
(2) What exactly made you want to become a Web Developer? And how long have you been freelancing?
My fascination for digital design, animation and interactive started as a child, but I soon realized I was more drawn to the coding part of it. I’m not a designer myself, but I’d like to say I’m design-oriented. I used to be a Flash developer, however long ago I’ve switched to HTML5, and am very keen now on creating the same slick and lively experiences with HTML, CSS and JS. I’ve been a freelancer since for over 10 years now.
(3) You have your own company called Fatlady. Could you tell our readers a bit more about it?
Well, it’s not really a company, it’s just me. The name was a paraphrase on the American phrase “it ain’t over ’till the fat lady sings”, and it stuck. It was catchy enough, easy to pronounce and slightly controversial to stick. I used to work in an office with a couple of friends until a couple of years ago, but now I mostly work at my home-office.
(4) If you would search for your profile on Google, which are the three keywords you would type in the search bar?
1) front-end developer,
2) Interactive developer,
3) UX developer
(5) What are a few of your favorite development tools and why?
icomoon – easy to turn SVGs into usable fonts and svg-sprites
github – because git
Photoshop – I can easily take a designer’s source file, and use it however I need to
sublime text – speedy, comfortable
zeplin – easy for sharing designs between designers and developers
(6) I assume your life as a freelance Web Developer is very busy. How does your working routine look like and how do you manage the pressure of meeting deadlines?
“I don’t take projects when I’m swamped with work. I’d rather have a free week, than miss a client’s deadline.“
I try to work the “standard” 8 hours, however it’s not always so easy. Meetings and different tasks or interruptions often break my routine. I often find myself working into nights and weekends to make sure I keep the deadlines. I must say that Toggl saved my life – made it possible for me to track my work better, and improve my pricing. Also, very importantly – I don’t take extra projects when I’m swamped with work. I’d rather have a free week, than miss a client’s deadline.
(7) Do you have any hobbies?
I’m a movie-buff, so watching movies is a regular thing. Spending time with my kid is also great fun. I also do voluntary work on the community of my home kibbutz (type of a village).
(8) What advice would you give to those aspiring to become Web Developers?
Always move forward. It’s sometimes hard when you’re busy with getting the next project and then the next, trying to provide. Every now and then take a project with a technology you’re not familiar with, this way you get to learn new things all the time.
“Always move forward – learn new things all the time.“
(9) Is there one particular project that you are especially proud of or that it was fun to work on?
There are plenty of them – You can see my portfolio at www.fatlady.co.il , but it’s mostly my websites. Many of my projects cannot be shared, for example, I’ve created the front-end interface for controlling an industrial QA robot.
(10) Last chance! Is there anything more you would like to tell our readers?
I’d love to collaborate with other cool and creative people, and share inspiration!
Where to find Elad Ziv
Freelancermap Profile
Website
Email: elad@fatlady.co.il
