Today is my last day at Blue Flavor.
For the past couple of years (and then some) I’ve worked with some of the brightest minds in the web community on all sorts of exciting projects. I’ve learned a ton about myself, the way agencies work, dealing with clients, and developing web experiences in the real world — a world that has timelines and budgets and limited resources and other potential pitfalls. Blue Flavor has absolutely the most enjoyable job I’ve ever had, and I think joining them was exactly the right move for me two years ago. But now, it’s time to move on.
I’ve deliberated with myself for a few months about what’s next. There were a lot of factors influencing my decision. I have enjoyed the variety of work in the agency world a great deal, but I was also frustrated at times by not always getting to see a project through to completion. I enjoyed my role as a visual designer at Blue Flavor, but also wanted to get involved in the design process much earlier than I typically did. I loved my co-workers, and Blue Flavor’s office is terrific, but I really wanted to be free to work from home, from the road, or anywhere else I wanted (and sometimes at unusual hours, to boot). Also, I’d like to continue to spend more time writing, speaking, and doing other industry-related things outside of pure design and development work.
All of this initially led me to decide freelancing was for me. So I went on my way, planning that route. Then, I was approached by Carl Smith of nGen Works, a company for which I have long respected both the people and their work. Carl explained to me some changes going on at nGen, and I couldn’t help but get excited about the possibilities of working with his great team. Carl and I were able to work out an arrangement in which I can stay in Seattle, working from home (or wherever I may be), and am free to take on additional freelance jobs, as well. I believe I’ll be able to have a bit more involvement through the entire project, rather than just the visual design phase, with nGen’s team. This is kind of the best of both worlds, for me. It gives me some of the stability of a “regular” job, but a lot of the flexibility and freedom of freelancing. I’m really excited about it.
I don’t think it’s a secret there are changes happening at Blue Flavor. It’s important for me to note those changes have nothing to do with this move, other than timing. I’ve been thinking about going out on my own for quite a while — the transitions happening at Blue Flavor just helped make it clear that now was the right time. For the record, I believe with all sincerity that the changes Nick is making at Blue Flavor are for the best. Blue Flavor is going to go on, and — I’d be willing to bet — be stronger and more profitable than ever before.
So, if you have a project you’d like to work with me on, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, and if it’s a fit, I’ll figure out how to make it happen, be it through nGen Works, or just you and me.
Finally, I want to say a heartfelt goodbye to Keith, Brian, Nick, Cyndi, Tom, Kevin, Garrett, Tiff, Kenny, Martine, Will, Ben, Walter, and all the other great people I’ve worked with while at Blue Flavor. You guys are the best, and I love you all. Really.
Like this
Comments
There are currently 33 comments on this entry. If you have something to say, please consider adding your own.
You can also subscribe to an RSS feed of this entry’s comments.
Links in this entry
This entry’s tags
AuthenticJobs.com
- API Engineer
- Meetup
- New York, NY, US
- Web Developer
- Skidmore Studio
- Detroit, MI, US
- Developer, Foundry (Redmond, WA)
- msnbc.com
- Redmond, WA, US
- Web Designer/Developer
- Cappex.com - College Search Made Simple!
- Chicago, IL
- Creative Director
- Lime Company
- New York, NY, US
- Expert LAMP Developer
- Los Angeles, CA, US
- Junior Web Developer
- SankyNet
- New York, NY, US
- Senior Interactive Designer
- 21Tech, LLC
- Redwood City, CA
- UI Engineer
- Meetup
- New York, NY, US
- Sr. Developer, (Java/J2EE, ATG)
- RESTORATION HARDWARE
- Cañada Del Corte De Madera, CA, US
001 // Ethan // 07.09.2009 // 9:02 AM
Congratulations, Jeff. That’s wonderful news, and I can’t wait to see what you and nGen Works do next. Because I’m sure it’ll be great.
002 // Anton // 07.09.2009 // 9:09 AM
nGen works, eh? Wow - I love that crew.
Good luck in whatever fortunes fate decides to bring you, I’m sure that things will work out great. And if/when our paths ever cross in the future, I’d love to pat your back and hand you a nice cold brew for congratulations.
003 // Travis Schmeisser // 07.09.2009 // 9:09 AM
Congrats, Jeff! I’ll be keeping an eye out and can’t wait to see what the new team does. WARNING: when you visit the office do NOT leave the bathroom door unlocked and brace yourself at all times. You have been warned.
004 // Josh Dura // 07.09.2009 // 9:12 AM
Congrats on the new position Jeff. Can’t wait to see the work you produce with nGen Works.
005 // Luke Dorny // 07.09.2009 // 9:18 AM
Wow! Congratulations on your decision. Difficult I’m sure. So that’s what your tweet was about! Keep us updated and good luck up there!
006 // J Cornelius // 07.09.2009 // 9:21 AM
Congrats Jeff. Best of luck in the new role. I’m sure you’ll kick ass.
007 // Chris Harrison // 07.09.2009 // 9:24 AM
Tis the season for changes. Best of luck :)
008 // Tom Carmony // 07.09.2009 // 9:41 AM
Congrats Jeff and good luck with the new endeavors. It’ll be intriguing as well to see a “new” Blue Flavor emerging after all these recent changes.
009 // Olivia Zinn // 07.09.2009 // 9:45 AM
Congrats…it sounds like it’s going to be a very exciting change-up for you! And I’m glad to see you’re keeping Seattle as your home base. The karaoke scene wouldn’t be the same without you. :-P
010 // Kevin // 07.09.2009 // 9:48 AM
Good luck Jeff. Looking forward to seeing what you and nGen cook up.
011 // Beth // 07.09.2009 // 9:53 AM
You will most certainly rock this new gig :)
012 // Mel // 07.09.2009 // 10:28 AM
Congrats Jeff, I always enjoy your tweets when you’re in K.C. Let’s hook up next time you’re in town. Maybe you, Nate and I could have a coffee.
013 // Dan Mall // 07.09.2009 // 11:02 AM
Wow, big announcement. Congratulations Jeff!
014 // Jenn Lukas // 07.09.2009 // 11:15 AM
Congratulations!!
Now you can have the (sometimes) brighter opportunity of rooting for the Jaguars instead of the Seahawks!!
015 // Jesse Gardner // 07.09.2009 // 11:18 AM
Congratulations on taking the plunge, Jeff!
016 // Nate Klaiber // 07.09.2009 // 11:37 AM
I will say it again: congrats. Sounds like a perfect move for you, and good for all parties involved. Look forward to seeing some of your future projects.
017 // Victoria // 07.09.2009 // 12:30 PM
Congratulations and good luck with your endeavor!
018 // Dan Cederholm // 07.09.2009 // 1:04 PM
Congrats, Jeff! Big win for nGen Works, who clearly seem to have some great people working on cool things. Best of luck with what’s next, sir.
019 // Jeff Woelker // 07.09.2009 // 1:30 PM
Best of luck Jeff! Hope everything works out.
020 // Keith // 07.09.2009 // 2:58 PM
Of course I’ve known about this for a little while, but I just wanted to add my congrats to the list! Best of luck Jeff!!
021 // Jeff Croft // 07.09.2009 // 7:03 PM
Thank you so much, everyone!
Also, Jenn: No matter where I live or who I work for, I only root for the CHIEFS! :)
022 // Mikey McCorry // 07.09.2009 // 10:39 PM
Congratulations and the very best of luck with your new direction. I hope you get the chance to do all that Awesome Stuff™ you want to do and do so well.
023 // Eric Culus // 07.10.2009 // 12:52 AM
Congrats on the new position Jeff. Maybe you should tell me how you do it, working throughout the day and freelancing in the evening.
I’m doing the same thing, maybe I could learn from you.
024 // Paul Stamatiou // 07.12.2009 // 4:51 PM
Good luck with the new gig! Enjoy.
025 // Maleika E. Attawel // 07.17.2009 // 1:11 AM
I’ve always had great admiration for your work as a designer. In fact, that’s how I found out about Blueflavor, and only then noticed the other fantastic, renowned, and smart people that work at this company.
I’m also a huge fan of nGen Works. I’m particularly fond of their EE (ExpressionEngine) extensions. They’ve saved my life quite a few times.
And what a dream to be able to be employed and having the freedom to do things independently. Now, I’d love to have an employer with that kind of business ethic. Very commendable, but hard to come by.
Anyway, good luck to you. I’m looking forward to seeing more of your work.
026 // Jen // 07.17.2009 // 5:39 AM
Hope you do well and am glad your handling it like a pro!
027 // Mal // 07.18.2009 // 2:07 PM
When one door closes, a thousand doors open. Good luck on the next gig.
028 // Tom Watson // 07.22.2009 // 5:14 PM
Somehow I missed this in all settling and moving, but I wanted to make sure I commented. Some of my favorite times at Blue Flavor were yapping with you about Django or hitting the ball around the ping pong table.
I’m stoked for you and I know you’re going to do great. Good luck man.
029 // Shaal // 08.09.2009 // 4:33 PM
Best of luck for the Future!
030 // TWD - // 09.10.2009 // 1:37 PM
blue flavour is good don’nt say good bye
031 // Milan Andric // 10.23.2009 // 9:09 AM
Thanks for keeping us updated on your adventures, Jeff. Always interesting to see what you’re up to! It’s a rarity to see someone who can balance transparency and professionalism like yourself. The innernets wouldn’t be the same without you.
032 // JakCook // 01.15.2010 // 3:56 AM
Good luck in whatever fortunes fate decides to bring you, I’m sure that things will work out great. And if/when our paths ever cross in the future, I’d love to pat your back and hand you a nice cold brew for congratulations.
033 // buy salvia // 03.02.2010 // 6:40 PM
Blue Flavor has some great work. Props on the Adobe Installer screens and the 97 bottles site. Hope you’re on to newer and better things now.