Front-end developer Peter Vermaas: ‘A brand-led approach makes my work more refined’
As a child, Peter Vermaas already knew which way his career would go: computers, the internet and websites. In 2018 he started as an intern at Mandelo, back then still in Putten. Eight years later, he is a front-end developer in our Creative Lab in Amersfoort. Over coffee, we talk about code, brands, a globe full of fishermen and techno.
Eight years at Mandelo. What is the biggest difference between then and now?
Almost everything. I started as an intern. Back then we worked with WordPress and built websites mostly from templates. Now we work headless, with Strapi as the CMS and Next.js for the website. That makes us much more flexible in the code and lets us build completely custom, interactive elements.
Our clients have changed too. We work for larger organisations and no longer make standalone websites, but digital experiences that fit a well-defined brand. That makes everything clearer and more logical. And larger clients ask for more interaction. That challenges us to keep expanding our skills.
People sometimes call you a Creative Coder. What exactly do you do?
As a front-end developer, I translate design into interactive digital products, such as websites and platforms. A project starts with the structure: a sitemap, user flows and wireframes. Then our designers give the design colour, nuance and the final interactions. After that, it is up to me to make it tangible.
At Mandelo we work pixel perfect. I make sure every element is right and that the code is clean and lean, so other developers can easily build on it.
For Fish Tales you made an interactive globe. How did that idea come about?
Fish Tales works directly with fishermen all over the world. Transparency is what the brand is built on. So you also want to show where the fish comes from. On the globe you can see exactly where the fishermen are, and the map takes you to their story.
That means transparency is no longer a word on the packaging, but something you can actually see and explore. It has become a story. Those are my favourite kind of projects: technology you do not notice, because you are caught up in the story.
Curious about the result? Take a look at the Fish Tales case.
Why should developers work at an agency like Mandelo?
Because of the focus on quality. And the creative atmosphere and flexible way of working, of course. It is not about building as many websites as possible, but about making every project as good as it can be. Every brand has a digital story that needs to connect with its audience. You make sure every detail fits that story, and that approach makes your work very refined.
You are also often challenged to experiment with new techniques. Just like with that globe for Fish Tales.
How do you develop your skills?
It is a daily process. When I come across a piece of code I do not know yet, I want to understand how it works and what it does. Making code as short and clear as possible is always a goal. What has always drawn me is animation and motion. It brings a brand identity to life and shows a brand’s personality.
The digital world changes incredibly fast. How do you keep up?
The biggest changes often come from the development community itself. Developers share new scripts, solve bugs together and build tools for each other. You learn an enormous amount from that. The challenge stays the same: websites that are more interactive and faster at the same time.
A practical one: how do you stay focused on all those details?
Techno all day, haha. That is how I create my own zone. Instrumental music helps me avoid distractions and prevent mistakes in the code. With my earbuds in, I also do not hear my colleagues’ discussions in the background.
"Is that it?" asks Peter, as he refills his black mug with coffee and gets back to work.
Would you like to work with Peter and the team on your digital experience? Schedule an introduction.