Charlene Foote (@ckayfoote) has been working with us for a number of years – as both a designer and a client. This month, she joined our team fulltime and we’re very excited to introduce her to everyone.

1. Tell us about yourself!

I’m a subtropics kind of girl—made in Honolulu. I was born into the USNavy where we dotted along Asia and all over the states. My father settled in Pensacola after years of moving about. In high school, I learned how to use a Mac and Photoshop. In college, I learned how to use Pell Grants for rum and cokes and luckily managed to find a direction in Graphic Design. Still feeling a bit aimless, I moved to Tampa to make it a four-year degree. That’s what you’re supposed to do right? As I finally began work in my field after completing my bachelors, I feel in love with design and all things related. I unexpectedly became more intimate and focused on the web side of design. So here I am, still kickin’ it in my comfortable subtropic climate and creating a path with the web design movement!

2. How did you end up at Big Sea?

Fresh out of college I had applied with Baisden, an agency in Tampa where Andi was working at the time, and my little, beginner-level skills hadn’t fully blossomed. I didn’t get the job, but dammit I made my first connection in the industry! I kept in touch, I freelanced, I became her client and now I am on her Big Sea team. Aw, how cute is that story?!

3. What do you like best about working in web design/development?

The inherent challenges with a technology-based industry. It’ll never stop. Also, nerds are hot.

4. What types of projects you like working on best?

I secretly still love print… shhh. But I get my kicks from the development side of things right now. Design isn’t easy, it’s just that development can be a more engaging challenge for me sometimes.

5. What new technologies or skills are you eager to learn?

I’m diving into the WordPress world and it’s just feeding my brain. Besides that, the responsive web topic seems to be creating a lot of good talk, hype and propaganda… it’s got my attention.

6. What is your favorite place to be?

I’ve traveled a lot and have found myself in many places saying, “ya, I could live here.” But the one place on Earth that I feel deeply rooted is the island I was born on…Hawaii. I go back every now and again, and the second I get off the plane I have the same feeling as a baby ripping her diapers off and running naked—liberated and free.

7. If you had $1,000,000, what would you do with it?

Use 3/4 to procure my spot in retirement heaven…a home in Hawaii. I’d put an 1/8 of it away for a crappy day. I’d pay off debts and take my parents to dinner with the last bit.

Follow Charlene on Twitter (@ckayfoote) or connect with her on Linkedin. And will someone please send the dear girl a Dribbble invite?

Update! Follow Charlene on Dribbble!