That code wrangler is the software architect, who guides projects from concepts to working products.
Im Harrison Ambs, the Lead Software Architect atStickboy Creative.
After the principal discovery and architecture (what are we doing and how do we do it?)
is done, Im then leading the team to design and build the system that we architected.
Most of our clients are businesses that want to streamline a portion of how they do things.
We meet with them to understand their current situation and requirements.
So in that case we build the entire thing from scratch.
This is when Im most like a traditional app developer.
Well, can you really call something traditional thats only been around for a handful of years?
What drove you to choose your career path?
Initially I wanted to be an aerospace engineer.
I went to college in the hopes of getting a doctorate and landing a job at Lockheeds Skunk Works.
We had to do the all of the math, research propellants, launch sites, materials, etc.
At the end of that project I knew design is what I really wanted to do.
Like most small businesses, we wear many hats and are constantly evolving.
Stickboy started as a small design studio that did website design.
Steadily we got more clients that needed more complex web development needs.
How did you go about getting your job?
What kind of education and experience did you need?
I got it by default.
We decided to take the company in that direction and I found I really enjoyed this part of it.
Ive always been drawn to complex problem solving and producing solutions that meet those problems.
I also love the creative process and coming up with something no one has ever seen before.
The more education you’re free to get, the better because its never enough.
As far as experience goes its almost always learning on the job.
What kinds of things do you do beyond what most people see?
What do you actually spend the majority of your time doing?
If thats the case, Im a human filing and sorting system.
Most of my day is facilitating information being passed amongst clients and the team.
What misconceptions do people often have about your job?
Mostly that it exists.
Most people assume I make my own software and ask me if they buy something I helped make.
Business apps can be pretty, too.
What are your average work hours?
Right now its 7:40 and Ive just put my daughter to bed.
Ive put in long days and Im usually always working on my vacation a bit.
This is a small businesstheres always something that needs to get done.
Im helping to build a company that will hopefully outlast me, which is pretty cool.
What personal tips and shortcuts have made your job easier?
We moved to Slack last year and never plan on looking back.
Invest in your tools.
Third, never shy away from a bad situation with a client or boss.
When everything is on fire, not knowing is worse than anything you might think of.
What do you do differently from your coworkers or peers in the same profession?
I have a Google Drive folder filled with just Process Documents.
I call it my hit by a bus folder.
The fewer decisions and things I need to figure out during my day, the better.
Whats the worst part of the job and how do you deal with it?
Hi Harrison, X broke.
Each minute that goes by without X functioning is profit just slipping away for our clients.
Whats the most enjoyable part of the job?
Work isnt inherently fun for most people, unfortunately.
But if I can help make your job a little easier/faster/simpler and that makes your day a bit better?
That makes you more productive, a better asset to your company and therefore its more successful?
Ill gladly work late on a Friday for that.
Im curious what differentiates a software architect from someone who is just a developer.
I assume you manage a team, but is there more to it than that?
Theyre individually unique applications and each one is wildly different from the other with its own challenges and rewards.
Basically, its like I run a daycare for software applications.
Do you have any advice for people who need to enlist your services?
Yeah, if you have this idea for a new software kindly understand that ideas are cheap.
Dont think a concept gets you most of the way there, because it unfortunately doesnt.
What kind of money can one expect to make at your job?
Not really sure, to be honest.
People in my profession probably make as much as the average app developer or project manager, Id imagine.
How do you move up in your field?
Grow the company :) I actually dont know whats above this.
Theres three of us that fire off the company, so were at the top.
What do your customers or clients under/over value?
They criminally undervalue time.
They also dont put enough stock in good UX.
They also overvalue concepts and ideas; execution is just as (if not more) important.
An idea at the end of development is almost always different than what it looked like going in.
What advice would you give to those aspiring to join your profession?
Always be willing to learn something even if you know youll be terrible at.
If youd like to share your career, email us at[email protected].
Photo byCorepics VOF(Shutterstock).
