Porbably the single biggest value-add I can offer to people is that I am both am a designer and a developer.

This dual role presents both challenges and opportunities, as I navigate between the creative process of design and the technical implementation of development. The payoff, however, is that I can bring a unique perspective to projects - a perspective that is informed by both disciplines. This allows me to create more cohesive and user-friendly products that are not only 🎨visually appealing🎨 but also 🚀highly functional🚀.

So what does it take to be both a designer and a developer?

👨‍🎨 DESIGN HAT

As a designer I have to consider the visual elements of an app - such as layout, colour scheme, typography, and user interface elements.

This requires a deep understanding of design principles and industry trends, as well as considering and having empathy for the end user. I have to ask questions like:

• Who are they?
• What are their goals?
• What are their pain points?
• What are their preferences?

Some days are "design days", and I'll put on my designer hat (it's very cool-looking and makes me look all arty and stuff) and I might start sketching a UI, or create a wireframe or mockup, or I might get into Figma to create some high-fidelity prototypes.

👨‍💻 DEVELOPER HAT

As a developer, I have to translate design concepts into code, ensuring that apps are not only visually appealing but also fully functional and intuitive.
This requires a deep understanding of front-end technologies, as well as the ability to work with frameworks like React to build interactive user interfaces.

On "coding days", I'll switch to my developer hat (definitely more nerdy but it shows I've been there, done that, picked up the free swag t-shirt.. and, um, hat.. ) and I start writing and editing code to bring a design to life (or just fix some good old bugs).

👨‍🎨 + 👨‍💻 = 🦸‍♂️

A lot of the time now, I'm wearing both hats at the same time - and whilst this is clearly very amusing for anyone within viewing distance of me, this ability is the superpower!

I'm constantly thinking about how the design will be implemented in code, and how the code will affect the design.

This means that I (or a co-founder, or a client) can ensure that a design vision is realised exactly as intended.
It allows for quicker iterations and more cohesive problem-solving, as I can make design tweaks on the fly and instantly get the results into code.
Making these design tweaks would typically require back-and-forth communication, but here they can be instantly implemented and tested, resulting in a more efficient workflow and a polished end product.

This unique dual-role perspective is what sets me apart from other developers, and what allows me to deliver high-quality work that exceeds client expectations. On top of that, clients only have to work with one person, which saves surprising amounts of time and money.

If you're looking for a designer and developer who can bring a unique perspective to your project, I'd love to chat. Feel free to reach out to me anytime.