It’s tempting to assume that web developers and IT pros prefer cold hard logic to more “creative” pursuits. But that’s an unfair assumption and one that views creativity through a narrow lens. As you’ll see, there is no one way to be creative.
What do you do that helps you feel creative?
Travis Jansen, Tech Lead/Senior Full Stack Developer: I take on side projects that help me refine and expand my skill set, and I follow many content providers and subscribe to many subreddits.
Carlos Ramirez, Senior Full Stack Developer: I write and have a side-project.
Pete Vanderhoef, Senior Full Stack Developer: I have several hobbies always competing for my attention. These give me an outlet for creativity that I don't normally get on the day-to-day. They include (but are not limited to) board game design/development, painting, 3D printing, testing web app frameworks, and learning game frameworks.
Jason Trauernicht, IT Specialist: Troubleshooting and a tenacity for information. It makes me feel creative coming up with ways to fix or repair things. Whether that be software, hardware, cars, motorcycles, boats, DIY projects around my properties, or life in general.
Scott Hill, COO: I always have some “just for fun” project going. My creative outlets are making music, learning game development, animating, or any number of DIY projects.
How does your creative time/activity help you be a better developer/IT pro?
Travis: Working on personal projects helps me put concepts into practice, to see them in action, and to unearth pitfalls. Following content providers/reddit helps me stay on top of emerging tech.
Carlos: It helps me see problems from many different angles.
Pete: On tech related outlets, this helps me hone my skills and develop best practices that I can easily bring into other projects without the “pressure” of a deadline. In non-tech activities, it gives me the opportunity to see the creative side to projects so that I can take that into account better when developing projects.
Jason: My job relies heavily on troubleshooting and information. Faster problem solving equals faster solutions.
Scott: It gives me an understanding of many different topics, how they intersect and often gives me perspective and knowledge for creative solutioning.
Why do you think it’s important for developers and tech folks to have creative outlets outside of work?
Travis: It provides an outlet for working on things at my leisure. I love my job and the work I do with clients, but these outlets help me work on things I might not have the opportunity to do professionally. Working on personal stuff also allows me to fail without consequence and bring those learnings to the team.
Carlos: While tech work is already creative work, passion projects develop you as a person. For example, writing for my blog really forces me to clarify what I believe.
Pete: It gives you the opportunity to work on projects that you may want to but normally can’t. This lets you find skills/interests that you may not have realized you were capable of. Also, it helps you grow and become a more well rounded technical professional by broadening your skillset.
Jason: Work is only a small portion of what makes us, us.
Scott: Having experiences outside of work keep us sharp and fresh in our work lives where the subject matter and experiences may be more narrow.
Creative outlets look a little different to everyone, which is, of course, a big part of what makes them so indispensable to people no matter what department an org chart might put them in.
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