Meet Merix: Jacek - Frontend Developer

One of our Frontend Developers is Jacek. He is one of those employees of Merixstudio, who create great articles at the speed of light. Jacek was even given a nickname because of that (Pulitzer), what we think doesn’t bother him at all due to his thirst for fame. ;) He started his life at Merixstudio quite boldly by winning our Bowling Tournament. But we suspect that he also doesn’t mind losing - Dorota almost daily crushes him while playing Mortal Kombat.

• Tell us something about yourself.
  Developer by choice. Fantasy fan, cook and blogger. A guy with a beard.

• What are your main responsibilities at Merxistudio?
  Every day I convert visions of designers into finished products. Speaking colloquially, I cut out individual pieces from designs and create a website. In other words, I take care of everything users see.

• How do you work? What is important to you while working?
  At work most important for me is to keep order and be organized. I like to know what tasks are waiting for me the next day. The first thing I have to do every day is checking my mailbox to make sure that my to-do has not changed. When I already know where I stand, then I start work.

• Tell us something about your beginnings in the company.
  I was really scared when I started working here. In the beginning, I went through a short training conducted by the team leader of my department. Then I got to work on a simple project that helped me solidify the knowledge I gained. After that, everything ran its course.

• What have you learned while working at Merixstudio?
  It would be quicker to say what I haven’t learned here. I always felt that I neglected JavaScript and I wanted to change that when I started working in Merixstudio. During my three-month trial, I noticeably broaden my knowledge (and still am working toward knowing it better and better).
  There are a lot of things that I want to learn - I’m afraid that I won't have enough time in my whole life to learn all of them. ;)

• What do you like most about working at Merixstudio?
  What I like most is the great atmosphere in the company. If you have a problem with something, then surely there is someone who will help you. It really is a brilliant thing.

• What was the biggest challenge you faced while working at the Merixstudio?
  The biggest challenge I faced was when I worked on the project for Pyrkon, the biggest fantasy fan convention in Poland. It was really comprehensive and consisted of several stages. We are still working on it, but thanks to good cooperation with my colleagues from the Backend team I'm sure that the final result will be great.

• Which project did you like the most from the ones you worked on in Merixstudio?
  The coolest project I worked on so far was the e-sport betting service. It had an interesting subject, beautiful and unconventional design, interesting technologies... for me; this is the recipe for a fun project.

• What was your first contact with web technologies? When did you make a decision that you want to work in IT?
  I had contact with computers since the first grade of elementary school. All thanks to the fact that my parents signed me up for mathematics and informatics classes. The first contact with web development I probably had in the fourth grade of primary school, when I learned about the fact that CD-Action has an HTML course.

• What do you think is most difficult (and most interesting) in your work as Frontend Developer?
  I probably won’t be original when I say that the most difficult is switching between projects. The coolest, on the other hand, is the fact that I’m constantly learning new technologies.

• First thing you do when you arrive at the office.
  I am usually the first person in our room, so I open windows and let some fresh air in.
• iOS or Android?
  iOS above all.

• What do you do in your free time after work?
  It differs. After the hard day, I like to work out at the gym. Sometimes I just go home and lie down. Other times I like to go out and visit some great restaurants.

• Your favorite childhood hero is...
  I really liked Polish cartoon “Pomysłowy Dobromir”.

• Favorite place in Poznań.
  My favorite place in Poznań has to be Sołacki park. Perfect for having long walks.

• Beer or vodka?
  It depends on the occasion and people.

• Favorite sport?
  I like to watch a good football match. From time to time I also like to play squash. I also like to work out at the gym.

• Dog or cat?
  Dog, in the best scenario a mutt from the shelter. I adopted one fifteen years ago, and he still is by my side.

• Which website do you visit the most?
  Facebook, where I waste far too much time.

• Favorite app.
  MyFitnessPal – I like counting calories.

• If you could only visit one website for the rest of your life, what site would that be?
  Probably Facebook.

• If you could have your dream job, what would it be?
  I would love to be an astronaut. I can’t think of a job more exciting than this one.

• What’s your Christmas wishlist?
  I would like George R. R. Martin to sit finally behind the desk and finish another part of his “Song of Ice and Fire” saga. I don’t think that it will happen, but it’s not illegal to ask. ;)

You will find other interviews in the people&events section on our blog.