Great projects start with great people. Studio Stories is our way of taking you behind the scenes and introducing you to the people behind the work, their backgrounds and how they think.
This time, we’re talking to Jordan Whyte, our Junior Developer.
Tell us a bit about your background
I’ve always been interested in creative work, even before I knew much about web development. I actually used to want to be an actor, but realised that’s pretty hard to rely on financially.
One summer, I started learning HTML and CSS through online courses and realised I really enjoyed it. My stepdad worked as a web developer too, so that gave me a bit of insight into what it could look like as a job.
After finishing school, I went into a two-year apprenticeship at a local agency in the Highlands of Scotland, where I built up my base knowledge of agency working and WordPress. Once I’d finished, I wanted a new environment, so I moved to Newcastle and worked in a few different agencies.
Over time, I started looking for a new challenge and wanted to focus more on building fully bespoke WordPress websites.
How did you end up joining Vida, and what does your role look like now?
I found Vida’s website and was impressed with the level of detail on the site itself and the client work. I noticed they were hiring for a role that matched my experience, so I applied.
My role now is focused on custom WordPress builds, so it’s a bit like Lego. I’m building all the little blocks and details that make up a fully polished website.
I work with Henry on the development side, and closely with the design team too. Working with good designers and strong Figma files has definitely made my eye for detail better.
What do you enjoy most about the work?
I really enjoy animation, figuring out all the little details that make a website stand out, like moving text and hover effects. When I can get those details right, I’m pretty proud of it.
I like having things that push me a bit too. I could take the easy route all the time, but then I’m not going to be a better developer. I like throwing myself into the harder things and coming out the other side with something that looks quality.
I also like that there’s trust at Vida. When I’m given a project, I can make decisions about what I think will work best. And working in Ouseburn helps too, even walking around the river at lunch makes a big difference.
What helps you do your best work?
I’ve realised I work best in the morning. Some people need a couple hours to wake up, but for me I need to get outdoors, get a coffee and then jump right into things.
Part of it comes down to mindset too. When I was younger, I’d look at something hard and put it to the back of the list because I didn’t know how to tackle it. Now I try to be more positive and think, “I can do it.”
Is there a project you’ve particularly enjoyed working on?
NOVUM stands out because it was my first full site build at Vida. It was also something creative – a festival is pretty cool to work on, and it’s nice building sites for such a wide range of clients.
It was a good chance to use more animation and build something with lots of little details. I think it turned out great.
What’s something people don’t always see about your work that they should?
People see the finished website, but there are multiple rounds of testing behind that. You’re checking how everything responds, making sure it works properly and that it’s easy for the client to manage once it’s handed over.
Favourite TV show?
When I was younger, I was a huge Doctor Who fan, especially the 10th Doctor. Breaking Bad is pretty solid too, and Mr. Robot is a good one because of the nerdy coding and hacking side of it.
What do you get up to outside of work?
I like going for long walks to reconnect with nature and refocus my mind. I go to the gym too, purely for the mental boost it brings, and I like reading a good book. I also like going to gigs and recording stuff with my action camera.
