Next up, we are excited to introduce iOS Development Consultant, Serban Chiricescu.
Serban has worked with QUALITANCE since November and his unique position makes him perfect for our “How I Work” Series. He works on multiple projects at once and has become an expert at time management and juggling tasks. In addition to managing multiple projects, he also participates in many different sports and travels around Romania. His trusty Fitbit keeps him active and his goal is to walk at least 10,000 steps every day. In order to keep up with all his work and hobbies, he has also developed a minor addiction to Venti Caramel Machiattos from Starbucks!
Let’s take a look at how he works and what has inspired him throughout his career:
What is your preferred work style?
I like to work in short, one hour sprints. During this time I get in the zone and completely detach with headphones and music. For these sprints I like to listen to some Damien Rice, Franz Ferdinand or Arctic Monkeys as loud as I can! Mornings are pretty productive for me, so I usually work at least one hour from home before heading into the office. I try to leave the ‘boring’ stuff for late at night. If I am working on a project and already know how to implement the parts, you might find me online at 2 am finishing it. I usually work alone, especially at 2 am! However, I do like working with teams and am able to do so on some of my projects.
What is your preferred work gear? (i.e. laptop, desktop, phone) What do you like about it?
My MacBook is a big part of my life. I carry it with me everywhere, not only in the office but also on holidays or while in coffee shops and pubs. It’s kind of another part of my body! As an iOS developer I also carry with me at least one iPhone for a quick test. My EarPods are crucial because they help me plug in and concentrate in crowded places like Starbucks. I would also say that a Venti Caramel Macchiatto is a critical element in my performance!
What apps, software or tools can’t you live without?
My favorite tool is Xcode, the iDE used to create iOS applications. Next to Xcode you will always find an open terminal on my machine that helps me keep everything up and running. As a versioning tool, I prefer Git. Design is one of the most important parts in developing mobile applications, so Photoshop and Sketch are always running somewhere in the background so I can quickly access them and scribble changes in the interface. Technologies evolve in an instant and it takes a lot of time and dedication to keep up! I’m always scanning through Twitter or Podcast tech stations whenever I have some free time.
What 5 things are always on your desk? Why do you need each one
- Coffee – I can’t seem to get things up and running without a good cup of coffee (preferably one that is covered in caramel sauce)
- My MacBook – I’m an iOS developer, right?
- At least one iPhone and maybe one iPad too that I use for testing.
- My Fitbit. I’m super active and like to keep track of my steps each day.
- A Notepad – sketching helps me put everything in order and grasp the big picture of a project.
What’s your approach/style to working with people for building great software?
The most important thing when developing an app is understanding why you need it. The #1 factor in creating a great program is understanding the final goal and working together to make it amazing. In order to do that, we have to communicate with each other so that we are all on the same page. You can always tell when a team hasn’t communicated well because the final project suffers.
What are you currently reading?
Eat That Frog! By Brian Tracy. It’s a great book that helps you stay organized. You’ll not only get work done faster, but you’ll also get it done right. Reading it will inspire you to switch from trivial and time-consuming activities to more important tasks.
What’s the best life advice you’ve ever been given?
Doing a little more than expected will never upset anyone and it will make you feel great. Over the past years I have learned that even the smallest and simplest gesture can improve your working relationships. So smile and help others do the same!
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone with the desire to work in your field?
Mobile applications are all about creating connections between humans and systems. It’s fun and challenging to design easy-to-use and intuitive user interfaces. One thing I also love about working in this field is the element of instant gratification! You can see your projects up and running in no time.
How has mobile software changed since you started?
What changed most in the last couple of years is the user experience and user interaction. It all started with complicated, ugly interfaces and now, apps are beautiful and intuitive. Simplicity of the UI is essential and most users will delete your app if it doesn’t intuitively flow from start to finish.
What are your professional goals for the future?
My long term goal is to create a mobile development team and create amazingly gorgeous apps! There are a lot of moving parts in the world of mobile development and, working with a bigger team would allow me to solve more complex problems and explore new frameworks.
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