Who am I?
My name is Derrick Grigg. I am a professional web developer with over twenty years of experience. I specialize in working closely with leading marketing agencies, companies and start-ups to help with the development of websites and web applications. Located in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada (just north of Toronto), the majority of my work is done from my home office with clients around North America.
What can I do?
A little bit of everything. Frontend, backend, in between, it doesn't matter. If the project is web based I'm ready, willing and able (I draw the line at WordPress sites though).
- Website and web application development
- Mobile optimized and responsive websites
- Frontend and backend coding
- Social media integration
- Application planning, architecture, and development
- Integration with API’s and existing back end systems
- Make a good cup of coffee!
How do I do it?
I like to focus on the problems that clients (and potential clients) have and then figure out the solutions to those problems. Technologies change so rapidly it’s not always about what you know it’s about how fast you can learn something new and then implement that knowledge.
Working closely with clients, I make sure their project requirements are met, on time and on budget. I'm comfortable working solo or integrating into a larger team, it all depends on the project.
What have I done?
I lost count of the exact number of projects but it is well over 100. Visit the Projects page to see some of the work I have done (ask me about the Sayso sometime).
How long have I been at it?
Over fifteen years freelancing and over twenty as a developer. I have seen a lot, learned a lot and done a lot. Every day brings a new challenge and a new opportunity. Here's a few career highlights.
2006 Sink or Swim
After a few years of working in the corporate world I decided to take the dive and go full time into freelancing. I had no idea what was ahead but I knew I needed a change from the corporate grind. What a ride it has been.
2009 Beam me up Scotty!
As a life long Star Trek fan (William Shatner was the best Kirk) I didn't think twice when Project C and Paramount Studios asked for help on a photo mosaic photo booth to help promote the Star Trek movie. I never expected a little side project like my photo mosaic generator would get noticed by Hollywood.
2012 Do I get a medal?
It's not every day you get to work on an Olympic sized project. NBC needed help managing and distributing the digital material for the 2012 London Summer Olympics to their partners and internal teams. Gotham and All Kinds gave me the call and I got the chance to shine on the Olympic stage. Talk about deadline pressure ... not being ready on July 27, 2012 was not an option.
2017 Google who?
Sometimes lightning hits the same spot twice. I was fortunate to work with the awesome team @ This Is Grow on a project for Google. Not long after that project wrapped up Youtube came knocking with a project they needed help with. Working with developers from Google was a little scary at first. Was I good enough, did I know enough? Turns out I did.
2019 Ready to rumble?
I think this was more exciting for my kids. The crew @ FirstBorn needed some heavy duty Craft help with the family of Supercell sites for web and in app content management. Getting to work Clash of Clans, Boom Beach, Clash Royale and Hay Day was great but working with the team @ FirstBorn was even better. Insanely creative people with technical chops and a passion to make great stuff. One of my favourite projects to work on.
2023 10 year anniversary 🎉
Back in 2013 I decided to build and launch a side project called PageProofer. I was frustrated with getting flooded with feedback spreadsheets and bug report emails while building websites. The idea was pretty simple, add sticky notes to websites and streamline the back and forth feedback. It took all my knowledge in frontend, backend and dev ops to pull it off. Turns out a lot of people found it useful and ten years later it is still going strong.
🤔 What's next?
Honestly, I have no idea. Hopefully more problems to solve and more great people to work with. Freelancing is a crazy ride with lots of ups and down. Every day is a chance to learn and experience something new.
Looking back on everything, it's been a blessing to experience and learn so much in 15 plus years. I have worked with some amazingly talented people and pushed myself farther than I thought possible. What is the biggest takeaway? GRATITUDE!
How do we get in touch?
You can contact me via email can call me @ 905.251.0319 or click the button below.