Video Interviews — Capture Your Flag

Chris Hinkle

Chris Hinkle is a digital product designer and software engineer. He is currently consumer software lead at Matternet in Silicon Valley. Previously, Hinkle worked at Evernote as a senior software engineer. Before that Hinkle worked at New York City digital agencies HUGE and R/GA in creative director and software engineering roles designing products and developing Internet mobile applications and websites.

All Video Interviews

Chris Hinkle on What Gets Easier and What Gets Harder

In Chapter 1 of 10 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, software engineer Chris Hinkle answers "What is Getting Easier and What is Getting Harder in Your Life?" After years coming up with ideas for new technology products, Hinkle learns to better handle rejection by not marrying himself to any one idea. As a 31-year old, Hinkle notes the challenge of working with recent college graduates who may be more current on the latest technologies and finding ways to stay current with trends while also embracing his own experience. Chris Hinkle is a senior software engineer working at Evernote in Silicon Valley. Previously, Hinkle worked at New York City digital agencies HUGE and R/GA in creative director and software engineering roles designing products and developing Internet mobile applications and websites.

Chris Hinkle on How Digital Agency and Software Company Creative Roles Compare

In Chapter 2 of 10 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, software engineer Chris Hinkle answers "How Does Working at a Software Company Compare and Contrast With Working at a Digital Agency?" Hinkle finds digital advertising creative work to be more experimental and short-term project focused. Switching into software at Evernote, Hinkle connects with the accountability that comes with building software that helps the company meet financial targets. Chris Hinkle is a senior software engineer working at Evernote in Silicon Valley. Previously, Hinkle worked at New York City digital agencies HUGE and R/GA in creative director and software engineering roles designing products and developing Internet mobile applications and websites.

Chris Hinkle on How Working in Silicon Valley is Different Than Working in New York

In Chapter 3 of 10 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, software engineer Chris Hinkle answers "How Has Working in Silicon Valley Reshaped What You Think is Possible in Your Career?" Relocating from New York City to Silicon Valley, Hinkle cuts past the "get rich quick" entrepreneur scene and finds a passionate generation of innovators working to make the world a better place. This contrasts with the more media industry-driven tech scene he experienced in New York City. Chris Hinkle is a senior software engineer working at Evernote in Silicon Valley. Previously, Hinkle worked at New York City digital agencies HUGE and R/GA in creative director and software engineering roles designing products and developing Internet mobile applications and websites.

Chris Hinkle on Finding Meaning By Improving the Lives of Others

In Chapter 4 of 10 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, software engineer Chris Hinkle answers "What Makes Your Work Meaningful?" Working in digital agencies early in his career, Hinkle recalls finding meaning by building things that impress other people. As he gains product design experience, Hinkle finds meaning not by impressing others but rather by creating things that improve the lives of others. Chris Hinkle is a senior software engineer working at Evernote in Silicon Valley. Previously, Hinkle worked at New York City digital agencies HUGE and R/GA in creative director and software engineering roles designing products and developing Internet mobile applications and websites.

Chris Hinkle on Why There is No Harm in Living Your Job

In Chapter 5 of 10 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, software engineer Chris Hinkle answers "How Are Your Personal Experiences Shaping Your Professional Aspirations?" Hinkle loves his work and because of this he finds he is happier integrating life and work together. He is able to make a living doing what he loves and, as a result, can focus less on financial goals and more on making the digital apps and products that give him purpose. Chris Hinkle is a senior software engineer working at Evernote in Silicon Valley. Previously, Hinkle worked at New York City digital agencies HUGE and R/GA in creative director and software engineering roles designing products and developing Internet mobile applications and websites.

Chris Hinkle on Why to Be a Software Engineer

In Chapter 6 of 10 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, software engineer Chris Hinkle answers "What Do You Enjoy Most About Being a Software Engineer?" Hinkle most enjoys creating products for the world to enjoy and use. He also values the job responsibility for high quality craftsmanship that comes with his work. Hinkle shares why concentration is a useful software engineering job skill that helps him solve complex problems in his work. Chris Hinkle is a senior software engineer working at Evernote in Silicon Valley. Previously, Hinkle worked at New York City digital agencies HUGE and R/GA in creative director and software engineering roles designing products and developing Internet mobile applications and websites.

Chris Hinkle on Using Design and Programming to Express Your Ideas

In Chapter 7 of 10 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, software engineer Chris Hinkle answers "How Do You Bring Together Design and Programming in Your Work?" Hinkle shares how he has learned design and programming separately to express his ideas by building digital products. He learns to turn ideas into products by first learning computer programming and second, through practice, experimentation and feedback, design. Chris Hinkle is a senior software engineer working at Evernote in Silicon Valley. Previously, Hinkle worked at New York City digital agencies HUGE and R/GA in creative director and software engineering roles designing products and developing Internet mobile applications and websites.

Chris Hinkle on Ways to Reduce Stress and Perform Under Pressure

In Chapter 8 of 10 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, software engineer Chris Hinkle answers "What Does It Mean to Perform Under Pressure in the Work That You Do?" Hinkle shares steps engineers and project managers can take to reduce stress when working under deadline pressure. Specifically, he notes how it can be helpful to be less focused on the project deadline and more focused on doing your best work. He finds imposing time pressures can compound small problems and make developers and engineers feel helpless. He also warns against doing all-nighter work as it may cause more harm than good with regard to work quality. Chris Hinkle is a senior software engineer working at Evernote in Silicon Valley. Previously, Hinkle worked at New York City digital agencies HUGE and R/GA in creative director and software engineering roles designing products and developing Internet mobile applications and websites.

Chris Hinkle on Learning Project Finance for Product Development

In Chapter 9 of 10 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, software engineer Chris Hinkle answers "What Job Skills Are You Working on Right Now to Become Better at Your Job?" After years honing his product design and computer programming skills, Hinkle focuses on learning more about how project financing impacts both startup and corporate product development. Understanding how capital is allocated and budgeted gives Hinkle a better sense of what is required to make a business venture or project initiative worthwhile. Chris Hinkle is a senior software engineer working at Evernote in Silicon Valley. Previously, Hinkle worked at New York City digital agencies HUGE and R/GA in creative director and software engineering roles designing products and developing Internet mobile applications and websites.

Chris Hinkle on Finding Organic Ways to Lead and Motivate Teams

In Chapter 10 of 10 in his 2013 Capture Your Flag interview, software engineer Chris Hinkle answers "How Are You Learning to Better Manage and Motivate Teams?" Hinkle shares that while he does from time to time need to instill motivation and be a leader, he finds he is more comfortable crafting work collaboratively with teams and less interested managing teams. By creating great work together with his teams, Hinkle finds the career advice and motivational aspects occur naturally in the process. Chris Hinkle is a senior software engineer working at Evernote in Silicon Valley. Previously, Hinkle worked at New York City digital agencies HUGE and R/GA in creative director and software engineering roles designing products and developing Internet mobile applications and websites.