Sean Zaffino

Print

E-mail

Text

Name: Sean Zaffino

Where do you live?
Midtown Toronto

Profession: Web developer and design

Please explain what you do in your job:
I'm responsible for maintaining and developing the online presence of Steam Whistle Brewing. This includes the overall design of the site as well as introducing new content and ways of delivering information to our audience that will keep them engaged and entertained while visiting our site.

From time to time, I also get involved in various print design jobs that range from employee handbooks to posters to packaging to bottle artwork.

List of accomplishments:
I started off my design career as an intern at Cossette Communications and The Backroom Agency. From there, I was hired on for a short period as a freelance art director at Cossette. I then moved on to a contract position in corporate design at a company called Teranet. It was a small creative department there, so I was able to work closely with the senior designer and improve my skills.

They also offered online training for their employees and that's where I began to learn web design. As my contract came to an end, I decided it was time for me to move on and took some time to myself. I heard through a friend that Steam Whistle was hiring and came in for an interview. I was hired for the position of web designer/developer and continue to improve and grow my skills working in a tight-knit family here at the brewery.

How do you measure success in your profession?
Personally, I measure my career success by being a part of a growing company and helping to develop the brand. Plus, I love my job and the people I work with; they make it very easy to feel successful.

How did you get your start in your chosen career?
I worked my ass off as an intern for two different advertising agencies. I have always been a firm believer that you'll get out of something what you put in. I knew that this was the path that I wanted to take in my life so I gave it everything I had.

When did you decide this is what you want to do for a living and when was the 'moment'?
I was always involved in art so to mention an exact moment is kind of hard. I guess I could say the second I picked up my first crayon.

What did you have to do in order to get involved with this profession?
I went to university where I received my bachelor of fine arts, then took a few years off and went back to college for advertising and design.

Pros and cons of this job:
Pros
When you do good work, you get recognition for it; that's always a great feeling. The people at Steam Whistle really believe we are a family and treat their staff just like it. I can honestly say I have never had so much fun working both in and out of the office.

Cons
There's always something else to do or a new web technology to learn. I don't think that's a con though.

Skills required for this job:
Know-how to operate a computer and have a good eye for design.

It's always a plus if you can draw. It also helps if you know the usual web technologies and languages and have a constant passion to continue learning new things and build your skills with the help of others.

What can youth expect if they want to pursue this job?
Usually, advertising and design programs are pretty competitive and difficult to get into. In order to be successful, you have to be passionate about what you are doing and be able to take criticism and feedback on projects that you've worked on.

Salary range:
Starting salaries for juniors are usually around $28,000 to $32,000. From there pay increases are based on skills and experience.

Advice to youth who are thinking about pursuing this field:
If you don't have thick skin or tend to get upset if somebody doesn't really like what you've done, any type of design is probably not for you.