Hey, long time no see! So the past months have been kinda crazy, but in a good way: I got a new job! Or, not entirely new… it’s actually my old job with a twist.
My old company shut down and I became unemployed, but not completely. We had a pretty cool photo development service that we were building and maintaining, and that particular service was actually sold off to a company in Stockholm. So main company shuts down, but this particular service will live on under new ownership.
As it turned out though, these Stockholmers were not only interested in the code, but also in the people who wrote the code. I.e. me and my back-end developer colleague. I.e. they offered us a job! I started on March 15. ✌ :D
I will continue to do front-end work on this photo service and also take on the sites and services of my new employer. I’m doing a lot more design work now too, which is super fun. It is all pretty exciting actually!
Since we live in almost the opposite end of the country this will have to be remote work. So far it is going well. We’re chatting on Slack every day and have video calls every week so it’s not like we’re isolated.
I will also get to travel to Stockholm every now and then (yay!). My first trip was only a few weeks ago when I stayed down there for a week and got to meet everyone. It was great and I’m already looking forward to the next time.
The first few weeks since we started were mostly about finding a suitable work space and getting it in order with new computers and all that. We were lucky to get a rather cool office too.
Despite being an otherwise sleepy small town, Skellefteå has a thriving technology/design/media business scene. We have lots of cool, successful companies working with huge international clients. Last autumn a brand new office complex opened dedicated entirely to those fields and pretty much “everyone” moved there. It’s THE place to be right now if you’re working in tech and media. When I contacted the house manager they gave us the last to available desks!
The house also has a fun Twin Peaks theme going on, with all the conference rooms and such named after Dale Cooper, Laura Palmer etc. (Note to self: watch Twin Peaks so I learn who these people are.) It’s also very beautiful with lots of windows and different types of wood everywhere.
My desk, cluttered from day 1… I can’t work by a tidy desk, it stresses me out. Maybe there’s something wrong with me, but I can’t focus without having pens and paper and random shit spread out around me. I especially need “doodle paper” to scribble on while I think. Clean empty spaces just bug me.
Here’s also my new laptop that I, of course, immediately covered in stickers. The wood pattern is a desktop decal (from DecalGirl.com) and then I put some regular stickers on top. Can you tell I have a thing for Pusheen? ;)
Beneath it all, the actual laptop is a Dell XPS 13 9360. Picked it out myself, this is the first time in my career I’ve been allowed to choose my own computer.
So that’s what I’ve been doing: travelling and getting settled into my new job.
Wish me luck on this new endeavour. ?
Congratulations on the new role, and I hope you enjoy it! I’m also digging the wood aesthetic of the office.
Congrats on the new job. I am happy you could find it. Also, it’s a great thing that you will b able to travel. I wish you the best in the future <3
Congratulations on the new job!! It looks so nice there. :)
Congratulations on the new job! :-D
Oh this is so lovely to hear, Karin! It’s a shame your old company folded but great that there was an opportunity in what you worked on. Sounds like a fresh new beginning, still, and glad you still have a teammate with you too.
I have to admit that remote work can be really rewarding (I’m doing it now). Sometimes I feel like I get a lot done, there is less distraction than in the office where anyone can just tap you on the shoulder for meetings or to ask a question (because it is convenient). I am sure you will get used to the remote work in no time. But the office, when you do get a chance to visit it, looks like it would be very welcoming ?
I kinda like having random shit on my desk within easy reach. I like having a clean desk, but I still like to have a notebook handy, a pen, coasters (for drinking tea!), etc. It stresses me when my desk is too messy, but I feel really isolated if there is nothing else on my desk. ?