Craig Spitzer: Director of Digital Development: Man In Black, Beat Keeper, Picasso Of Coding
How did you wind up working with Prager Creative?
As the founder of Cobblestone Digital, it made perfect sense to partner with Prager Creative. Together, we’re able to merge imagination with development expertise to bring any digital idea or experience to life. It also gives us the unique ability to address client objectives from a holistic standpoint while bringing new ideas to the table. There’s no stopping dynamic thinking with back end development ingenuity. The sky really is the limit.
How long have you been in web development?
Over 23 years. When it comes to my overall time on earth, I’ve been coding longer than I haven’t been coding.
How did you get interested in coding?
I started coding during my time as a Market Maker on Wall Street as a way to help me manage accounts. Eventually, I ended up writing code to help my entire firm oversee trades. Seeing the success unfold made me think, ‘Hey. I’ve really got something here.’
What change in website development has surprised you the most?
To me, the biggest shock was the industry’s decision to kill Flash. It wasn’t a mistake by any means, but it definitely came as a surprise. Ultimately, the Flash phase-out led web-based animation to move into a cooler, more fluid direction. Now, video feels like it’s presented on a stage for the viewer, instead of looking like a gridded set of elements on a page.
What do you do when you aren’t at the desk?
I’ve been playing the drums since I was 7 or 8 years old. I started on an Animal-themed drum set (the Muppet, not the four-legged creatures roaming the Serengeti). Now I’m playing a much larger kit. And part of me is surprised I made it through my twenties without getting a Muppets tattoo.
Favorite movie?
Naked Lunch.
Best advice you’ve ever received?
“What other people think of you is none of your business.” The person who originally said that to me peppered in some more colorful words throughout the sentence, but you get the gist.