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Designed by Yours Truly
Beyond The Code
[okay, maybe some code]
What started as learning to code turned into something more, discovering how design and development could work together to solve real problems. Now, as a Computer Science student at Loyola University Chicago, I focus on user-centered design that bridges both worlds. I create digital experiences that are both beautiful and buildable, bringing a unique perspective that balances technical feasibility with user needs. Whether I'm optimizing a website's performance or prototyping a new interface, I'm drawn to projects where aesthetics and functionality are equally important.
[Curtain-Raiser]
[Origin lore]
My journey into tech started all the way back in high school with a teacher who made CS feel accessible, especially for girls in a field that desperately needed us. I loved both the logic of coding and the creativity of design, but it was when she asked me to co-edit the yearbook that everything clicked. Suddenly, I wasn't just learning design principles, I was applying them, making real decisions about layouts and user experience. That's when I realized I didn't want to choose between code and design. I wanted both. (Fun fact: I was part of a program called Digital Divas, which may or may not have inspired several of my usernames over the years.)
[what excites me]
While I'm excited about tech in any form, I'm particularly drawn to the intersection of technology and fashion. There's something compelling about an industry built on creativity, aesthetics, and self-expression finding new ways to innovate through digital experiences. Whether it's personalized shopping experiences, virtual try-ons, or platforms that help people discover their style, I love the idea of building technology that makes beauty and fashion more accessible and intuitive.
[My stack]
My technical toolkit reflects my dual focus on design and development. On the design side, I work in Figma to prototype interfaces and visual systems. On the development side, I'm fluent in JavaScript and Python, building with frameworks like React and Flask to bring those designs to life. I've worked with WordPress and Elementor for content management, written algorithms in Scala, and gone low-level with C for systems programming. The common thread? I'm always thinking about how the technical implementation serves the user experience.
[current focus]
I'm in my final semester at Loyola, which means I'm simultaneously closing one chapter and opening another. I'm completing my CS coursework, maintaining and improving The Loyola Phoenix website while beginning to build their mobile app, doing UI/UX work for a startup, and actively pursuing full-time roles in UI/UX and web development. My focus is on finding opportunities where design and development intersect, particularly in fashion and beauty tech, where thoughtful digital experiences can make a real impact.
[finding my balance]
Outside of tech, I practice yoga regularly and I'm working toward getting certified as an instructor. There's something about the discipline and mindfulness of yoga that balances out the intensity of coding and design work. It's taught me patience, focus, and the importance of intentional practice, lessons that translate surprisingly well to debugging code or refining a design.
[current obsession]
I've always been a reader, but lately my stack has been dominated by AI ethics. I'm exploring questions about bias in machine learning, the creative implications of generative AI, and how we can build technology that's not just functional but responsible. It's the kind of learning that doesn't have clear answers, which makes it even more important to engage with.
[design process]
I work like I'm solving a puzzle without the box picture, trying pieces, rotating them, seeing what fits. My workspace reflects this: layers upon layers of attempts, notes to future me, designs that are 'almost there.' But that exploration is where real solutions live. When it finally clicks together, you can see the intention behind every messy step.