Please Let Me Introduce Myself
Hello my friend, welcome to my humble abode on the web. My name is Xiao Zhuo Jia - you can just call me Xiao, pronounced as "Shaw" for my non-Chinese friends. It took a long time coming, but it is finally here: my portfolio, my blog, my own little presense on the web.
A Brief History
I was born in Beijing, China in late November of the year 1985 and immigrated to Canada with my parents back when I was thirteen. I had a keen interest in both art and technology ever since I was little and that is why I had been studying Interactive Multimedia and Design at Carleton University in the capital city of Ottawa.
Just earlier this year I graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Information Technology (with Distinction).
A never-ending process of learning…
Those five years in Carleton University had seen myself exploring a variety of disciplines within the field with the much used and abused label of Information Technology. I have took a crack at graphic design, web design, video production, audio editing, 2D animation (flash), 3D modeling and animation, programming (C++, JavaScript and dynamic web scripting languages).
Nowadays my focus is more on the graphic design side than the coding side - CSS/HTML aside, but can still push some ones and zeros if my life depends on it, no doubt I might be required to do so in smaller teams where the each member's role is more diversified.
Taking inspirations from all the nice CSS gallery websites, my goal is to be listed one day and prove to myself that I have got what it takes to be a recognized designer.
The Miragecraft Website
Miragecraft was the name chosen for the student work group that stayed pretty much constant for three years that includes myself, Ben Wong, Luke Mackay and Edwin Nortey. The meaning of the name should be obvious, mirage = the digital creations that we can see but not touch; and craft = the act of creation thereto. After the group disbanded following our graduation, I've kept the name alive by making it the name of my website - Pssst! Don't get mad guys.
The website has been through many revisions, most of them I've abandoned after mostly finishing coding them. This went on and off for about more than a year - my friends dubbed my site the "never finished website of Xiao". This time I finally had a design that I do not hate after two weeks. I think I am going to keep it for a good while ^_^.
My Hobbies
Right now I'm quite busy, but I like photography, swimming and exercising (the last of which I've been missing for about a month now, I need to catch up!). Once everything settles down I hope that I can find time to do these things more seriously and consistently. Particularly dedicated trips for photography only, and not just get snap happy while traveling. Seriously you can not get good photos if you want to sightseeing and do not dedicate yourself to allocate time for finding the perfect location and lighting condition.
Lastly…
Thank you for browsing my website, I hope you enjoy your stay and find me a potential employee.