About
Who is Andrew?
Hi, I’m Andrew Wilkinson. I’m 17 years old, and live in Christchurch, New Zealand. On this site, you’ll find not only my portfolio, but a blog filled with my musings on design, technology and anything that has anything to do with the internet. Sometimes I’ll even write about my personal life, but I’m not narcissistic enough to believe that anybody will find these articles in the least bit interesting.
I work part time as a freelance web designer, working mainly with local small-business. I operate under my own design company by the name of Ardnet Media – which I’ve been busy enough with to afford shiny new computer equipment, and all the Subway that I can handle.
I’ve also gained a new respect for teachers after spending two terms teaching a game design course (UnrealED) at Rangi Ruru girl’s school, and made a few bucks here and there by doing computer oddjobs for friends of the family.
My Background
I’ve been using computers since I was 2½ years old. My first setup was a 486 running Windows 3.1, which I managed to inadvertently reformat at the tender age of 3. When I was 8 years old, we got the internet and I was instantly addicted.
I played with making my own websites on and off for several years, starting when I was 11 or so – but it never occurred to me to make a career of it until my second to last year of high school. Since then, I’ve been gradually expanding my knowledge to encompass all aspects of design, building on 5 years of Photoshop experience stretching all the way back to digitally removing people’s mouths when I was 12.
The Site
I’ve held this domain, zygar.co.nz, since I one day thought it was a cool sounding name to use online. There are several imposters, who have the audacity to use my online handle as their last name, but I’m the real Zygar! 
So what’s the purpose of this blog? I aim to write as often as possible about useful design and productivity tips as I come across them, because the only thing I love more than keyboard shortcuts is sharing them with others. I also aim to toss in the odd review and inspiration roundup, because let’s face it – who doesn’t love pretty websites?
Education
I spent the first 8 years of my schooling at St. Andrew’s College, before moving to Hagley College in Year 10, which despite its reputation has given me a significantly more useful education than I ever got in sheltered private-school life, particularly in the area of web-design. There’s something to be said about learning to write HTML manually because your school can’t afford Dreamweaver!
I’m currently finishing off my last year of school, focusing on digital photography and a graphic design folder, after which I hope to pursue an education in design at the School of Fine Arts at the University of Canterbury.
What else?
When I’m not doing something or another in Photoshop, I enjoy kicking back and relaxing by playing Team Fortress 2, Civilization 4 or Guitar Hero. Sometimes I play the real guitar (who doesn’t?) but I fully admit to being worse than even Linkin Park. I mean, at least they can play power chords.