Five Questions
with Peter Gasston
Peter Gasston @stopsatgreen
Talk: OK Computer
Peter is a veteran web developer who now works as a technologist and front-end lead at rehabstudio on projects for clients including Google and Red Bull, and in partnership with some of the world’s biggest creative agencies.
He’s the author of The Book of CSS3 and The Modern Web, and has written for Net Magazine, Smashing Magazine and A List Apart. In his spare time he “relaxes” by reading voraciously, supporting Arsenal, and day trips to castles.
Why did you agree to speak at WXG?
I know a few of the good people of Kyan through Twitter, and am aware that they’re a positive, forward-thinking company, so was sure they would make a conference to match. Also, I’ve never been to Guildford.
What do you think attendees will get out of your talk?
A sense of something bigger than the specific technologies I’ll mention — the desire to explore something new, and take advantage of the opportunities offered to us by the hard work and inspiration of others.
How did you get into your field?
Many years ago I was put in charge of company intranet as I was ‘the one who knows about computers’. That led me to learn HTML, and I made a few amateur websites, then used them to blag my way to a professional contract just before the (first) dot-com implosion.
Who is your inspiration in the industry?
This is going to sound trite, but it’s all the people working away on the tools, frameworks and methods that we use every day — the ones that freely offer their time and knowledge for the betterment of us all.
I respect all my peers, but the ones that inspire me are the generous ones.
What advice would you give to someone new to the industry?
Bring a human touch to what you do. A computer will be able to write better code than you in the near future, but it can’t learn to be empathic and creative in the way you can be.
Forget the distractions about the technologies you use, concentrate instead on the end user.
Peter Gasston will be speaking at WXG on Friday 25th September.
