Senior Front End Developer and CSS Artist, Kass Moreno, shares her journey from architecture to CSS art with freeCodeCamp founder. They discuss childhood in Mexico and Texas, career pivots, challenges in sales, inspirations for coding, and the intricate details of creating photorealistic CSS art pieces using single div elements and linear gradients.
Cass Moreno's journey showcases resilience and growth in mastering CSS artistry.
Transitioning to agency work provided dynamic challenges and diverse project exposure.
Consistency, community support, and self-care are essential for skill retention in coding.
Exploring 3D rendering and CSS artistry opens doors to innovative web development projects.
Starting with a single div project sets a foundation for intricate CSS artwork creation.
Embracing collaboration and mentorship fosters mutual learning and skill development in the developer community.
Deep dives
Transition to Coding and CSS Artistry
Starting to learn to code at the age of 28, Cass Moreno became a senior front-end developer known for her exquisite CSS art. She shared her journey of creating CSS art pieces, such as a scrolling animation Polaroid drawing, a Crayola box, and a realistic calculator and Game Boy, all crafted using HTML and CSS. The intricate details in her work showcase her dedication to mastering CSS artistry.
Career Development and Manager Support
Upon securing a web content administrator job at a mortgage company, Cass refined her skills and delved into web development projects. Her experience highlighted the importance of accessibility in web design, showcasing a newfound understanding and commitment to making digital content inclusive. With the support of her manager and a small team, Cass navigated diverse projects, including creative landing pages and accessibility enhancements.
Personal Growth and Community Engagement
Relocating to Houston marked a significant change for Cass, igniting a desire for growth and improvement in her coding skills. Engaging in the '100 Days of Code' challenge and sharing her progress on Twitter opened doors to a supportive online community, inspiring collaborations and continuous learning. Building a following of fellow developers and sharing her creative coding projects, Cass embraced authenticity and collaboration in her coding journey.
Influential Relationships and Professional Growth
Cass's journey in coding was intertwined with key relationships, notably her supportive husband, whose encouragement and unwavering belief in her abilities propelled her coding endeavors. Transitioning from web content administration to agency life brought new challenges and opportunities, fueling her passion for creativity and innovation in web development projects. Embracing authenticity and continuous learning, Cass thrived in the dynamic environment of agency work, showcasing her CSS artistry and coding expertise.
Summary of Cass Moreno's Journey
Cass Moreno's coding journey embodies resilience, creativity, and continuous growth as she transitioned from learning to code at 28 to becoming a proficient front-end developer renowned for her CSS artistry. Through her experiences at a mortgage company, professional challenges, and community engagement, Cass honed her skills, embraced authenticity, and fostered meaningful relationships that shaped her coding career. Her passion for creative coding projects and commitment to accessibility exemplify her dedication to excellence and innovation in web development.
Benefits of Working at an Agency
Enjoying the diversity and fast pace at an agency, the speaker values the chance to work on multiple projects, embracing new challenges regularly. Unlike the static nature of long-term corporate projects, agency work provides a dynamic environment where employees wear many hats and tackle diverse tasks like learning Google Analytics or setting up video platforms. The chaotic but stimulating agency atmosphere nurtures growth and diverse project exposure, making it an ideal setting to expand one's skills.
Navigating Challenges and Overcoming Burnout
Sharing valuable insights gained from personal experience, the speaker highlights the importance of seeking help when stuck to avoid unnecessary delays, emphasizing the supportive nature of the community. Consistency in learning and code sharing are promoted as crucial for skill retention and improvement. Additionally, the speaker underscores the significance of exploring curiosity, staying vigilant against complacency to foster continuous learning, while also advocating self-care to prevent burnout, a common occupational hazard in the field.
Inspiration in CSS Art and 3D Rendering
Expressing a profound interest in CSS art and 3D rendering, the speaker shares a passion for exploring new creative dimensions within web development. Enthusiastic about delving into 3JS and Blender for intricate projects, the speaker admires the immersive capabilities of 3D design for interactive web experiences. With aspirations to enhance skills continuously and venture into innovative projects, the speaker's journey exemplifies a dedication to pushing creative boundaries and mastering new technologies.
Encouraging Skill Development and Continuous Improvement
Encouraging aspiring CSS artists, the speaker recommends starting with a single div project to grasp background stacking essentials, providing a solid foundation for intricate artwork creation. Emphasizing hands-on, project-based learning, the speaker advocates for consistency and attention to detail in CSS art creation. By fostering an explorative mindset and embracing creativity, individuals can refine their craft and delve into complex CSS projects, paving the way for skill growth and artistic mastery.
Embracing Career Evolution and Lifelong Learning
Reflecting on personal and professional growth, the speaker values the transformative journey from architecture to successful front-end development roles, highlighting the significance of perseverance and adaptability. Embracing agency life and the dynamic challenges it offers, the speaker finds fulfillment in continuous learning and skill enhancement. With a passion for 3D rendering and CSS artistry, the speaker envisions a future focused on honing creative abilities and exploring innovative web development technologies.
Promoting Community Engagement and Mentorship
Recognizing the value of community support and mentorship, the speaker extends an invitation for aspiring developers to seek guidance and collaboration, fostering a spirit of mutual learning and growth. By advocating for collaboration and sharing knowledge within the developer community, the speaker encourages individuals to reach out for advice and connect with like-minded professionals. Embracing a culture of support and knowledge exchange, the speaker champions peer mentorship and continuous skill development for enhanced learning experiences.
On this week's episode of the podcast, freeCodeCamp founder Quincy Larson interviews Kass Moreno, a Senior Front End Developer and CSS Artist.
Kass started learning coding at age 28 and has since built a reputation as one of the most skilled artists who work with CSS.
We talk about:
Her childhood in Mexico and in Texas
Making the hard decision to drop out of architecture school
Her dreadful years working as a salesperson
Learning from freeCodeCamp and doing the 100DaysOfCode challenge
Getting freelance clients and expanding her skills
Her rapid career growth as a developer
Can you guess what bass line I'm playing on my bass during the intro? It's a 1982 pop classic.
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