Chai Landau (she/her) recently joined our Engineering team. Born and raised in Rockland County, New York (and moving to New London, CT this month), she graduated with her BFA in Graphic Design from The State University of New York at New Paltz. Shortly after, she began her career as a web designer, where she stumbled on her passion for web development. She loves to learn and has strong opinions about TV and Film that make her a joy to talk with. Here’s a little more from our conversation.
So, what brought you to Clique?
“I went to school for design, but learned that I enjoyed it more as a hobby. I did a little dev work as part of my job and discovered that was the part I looked forward to the most. I started learning more on the side with online courses and decided that this is what I wanted to do.”
What did you want to be growing up, before all that?
“I always wanted to be a designer because that’s what I was good at. And I wanted to own a horse. So the dream was ‘do something, make money, own a horse.’”
So you ride horses, I take it?
“Yup. And don’t get me wrong. I like horses, but not necessarily ‘horse culture’.”
*Googles ‘Horse Culture’*
Got it. So what are you most excited about being here with a week under your belt?
“Just how painless it seems to work with people here. It’s very non-political, and it feels like everyone just wants to help you actually do your job. And Clique really cares a lot about education, learning, and teaching.”
What’s your favorite part of the development process?
“I just lose myself in development. You just get into that flow. Because I have a design background, I know what goes into a design—a lot of thought and effort. Breathing life into the actual website or app is great.”
I feel that.
“That feeling of being able to make something that you want to exist…I just get a thrill when everything works.”
So what does your ideal weekend look like?
“Horseback riding. Just by myself outside. I’m an introvert, and a horse isn’t a person. It’s like motorcycle riding. More danger and less danger at the same time. So yeah, a fun ride, then watching Netflix with my partner and my cats.”
Are there any shows or movies that you’ve watched or are watching?
“Mr. Robot. Hated the ending. It just ruined the whole thing. It was such a good show. My partner was okay with the ending and I said ‘You lack imagination. You just accept what capitalism tells you. It upset me that he’s okay with the ending’.”
Remember when I said she has strong opinions about TV?
Any cool trips you’re planning to take one of these days?
“Let me tell you about the grocery store. We’ve been camping, though. My partner’s mom has a camper. Over the summer, we’d go on these socially-distanced camping trips every weekend. That was great.”
Normally we ask people to complete the sentence…”By the end of 2020, I want _____.” But considering it’s early December, what are you looking forward to in 2021?
“Professionally, I’d like to go on a more full stack development path. I’m highly interested in learning the back-end. Personally, my goal is to have everything in my wardrobe made by me…but it’s a matter of finding time.”
Wait, you make your own clothes?
“Oh, yeah. I started making my own clothing, primarily to put pockets in them. My issue is I like hoarding fabric. But that’s a whole other thing.”
Chai, we’re excited to welcome you to the team and see all the things you create—from websites to wardrobe.
