Ricardo MaGuz

Senior Front End Developer & UI/UX Designer

I build engaging, performant and accessible experiences.
Let’s Build Something Great Together!

About Me

UI/UX Designer and Front-End Web Developer with over 15 years of experience creating user-centered digital solutions. I focus on best UX practices and accessibility principles to enhance SEO, performance, and conversion rates. I have defined and maintained Front End project architecture, covering all stages from planning to deployment in environments such as agencies, publishing houses, universities, SaaS companies and the first mexican unicorn. I am looking for projects that enable me to continue improving, fully embrace user needs, and provide them with an engaging experience from both technical and design standpoints.

Languages

  • Spanish (Native)
  • English (Cambridge C1 Lavel - Proficient)

Skills

  • Team Management
  • Front End Architecture
  • Problem Solving
  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Design Thinking
  • Internationalization
  • Accessibility
  • Usability
  • Documentation
  • CMS
  • CRM
  • SEO
  • Gamification

Tools & Tech Stack

  • JavaScript
  • HTML5
  • CSS
  • Sass
  • SCSS
  • TypeScript
  • Angular 8, 12, 16, 18
  • RxJS
  • Ngrwl
  • React JS
  • Redux
  • Next JS
  • Astro
  • Stencil.js
  • Tailwind CSS
  • Bootstrap
  • PrimeFlex
  • Foundation
  • Bulma
  • REST APIs
  • Nest JS
  • Docker
  • Git
  • WCAG 2.1
  • Strapi
  • Storybook
  • Pagespeed
  • Lighthouse
  • Storybook
  • GraphQL
  • MySQL
  • MongoDB
  • PostgresQL
  • Confluence
  • Grafana
  • Data Dog
  • JIRA
  • Figma
  • Sketch
  • Adobe XD
  • Zeplin
  • MailChimp
  • Adobe Creative Cloud

Education

Iron Hack | 2019
Full Stack Developer Bootcamp
An intensive two-month program focused on learning the MERN stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React, Node.js). Awarded recognition for the Best Video Game Project
ICONOS | 2017
Master in Virtual Media
A degree focused on holistic knowledge of digital media and its influence on humankind. Graduated with the thesis Sketches of a Rhetoric for Web.
ICONOS | 2014
Major in 3D Animation and Post Production
Postgraduate course focused on 3D animation development using tools such as ZBrush, Maya, Blender, Premiere, and After Effects.
Universidad Simón Bolívar | 2011
Bachelor in Design of Visual Media Communication
A degree focused on communication and the design of visual traditional and digital media.

Work Experience

UX Engineer | Sales Hub | Remote

Learn more about Sales Hub
August 2024 - November 2024

North American SaaS company with a comprehensive focus on marketing solutions tailored to digital technologies. Sales Hub primarily manages conversion funnels for telecom companies in the region.

  • Redesigned the company CRM platform, which increased user satisfaction by incorporating enhancements based on comprehensive research and usability testing process.
  • It also improved CRM query performance by 40% by optimizing the database organization and information queries, resulting in greater operational efficiency, as reported by Data Dog.
  • Contributed to the architecture development in Next.js by establishing coding standards and a declarative structure in the components, facilitating team collaboration, and accelerating the development of new features.
  • Championed the Accessibility initiative to make landing pages compliant with Section 508 and achieve WCAG AA standard.

Tools or Technologies Used at Sales hub:

  • Next JS
  • Angular 17
  • Figma
  • FigJam
  • GitHub
  • TypeScript

Tech Lead | Kavak | Remote

Learn more about Kavak Post-Sales Features
May 2022 - October 2023

One of Latin America’s unicorn startups, Kavak specializes in buying and selling used cars. It stands out for assuring safety in each transaction while pioneering in digitizing and standardizing the industry in the region.

  • Led the post-sales team, enhancing departmental efficiency by aligning goals and strategies in collaboration with team members.
  • Collaborated on developing a scalable architecture, aligning solutions with recommendations from senior engineers, and optimizing infrastructure and system performance.
  • Reduced technical debt by facilitating communication between Product Owners and Chapter Leads, resulting in greater clarity on product requirements and more efficient execution.
  • I enhanced the team’s technical skills by conducting one-on-one sessions, and devising personalized development plans in conjunction with each Chapter Lead, raising the overall competency level of the group.
  • Contributed in migrating the architecture from the Nx Monorepo to Micro Services and Micro Frontends using Module Federationn

Tools or Technologies Used at Kavak as a Tech Lead:

  • Angular 14
  • Nest JS
  • GitLab
  • PostgreSQL
  • GraphQL
  • Redis
  • Docker
  • HTML
  • Bootrsrap
  • Angular Material
  • SCSS
  • Stencil.js
  • TypeScript

Front End Chapter Lead | Kavak | Remote

Learn more about Kavak
Mayo 2020 - Mayo 2022
  • Enhanced the technical skills of the Chapter, improving site performance in Lighthouse metrics by encouraging best practices through code reviews, weekly presentations, and newsletters.
  • Designed and developed newsletter campaigns in MailChimp, increasing visibility for exhibitions and updates in the tech stack, which improved internal team communication.
  • Contributed to settling the architecture in Monorepo using Nx and Angular, optimizing dependency management, and promoting collaborative development.
  • Introduced and championed compliance with WCAG accessibility guidelines, improving site usability and ensuring adherence to AA standards.
  • Founded the workflow for site internationalization, enabling over 9 regions to access relevant content using the i18n module of Angular and Strapi.
  • I Improved the Front-End developer's onboarding process by documenting workflows, technologies, and best practices in presentations and Confluence. Thus, easing the integration of new team members.

Tools or Technologies Used at Kavak as a Front End Chapter Lead:

  • Angular 13
  • GitLab
  • Stencil.js
  • GraphQL
  • Mailing Chimp
  • Docker
  • HTML
  • Bootrsrap
  • Angular Material
  • SCSS
  • TypeScript

Senior Front End Developer | Kavak | Hybrid

Learn more about Kavak
June 2019 - May 2020
  • Developed applications for clients and internal use using Angular, Angular Material, and Bootstrap, optimizing functionality and user experience.
  • Collaborated in defining architecture through proof of concepts (POC) for technologies such as Firebase, Strapi, and Storybook, facilitating the adoption of appropriate tools.
  • Participated in pair programming sessions, contributing to team development and fostering knowledge sharing.
  • Documented Front-End components in Storybook, enhancing the development experience and facilitating component reuse in future projects.
  • Led projects alongside stakeholders, making technical and design decisions that aligned outcomes with business expectations.

Tools or Technologies Used at Kavak as a Tech Lead:

  • Angular 8
  • GitLab
  • Zeplin
  • HTML
  • Bootrsrap
  • Angular Material
  • SCSS
  • TypeScript

Web Director & Founder | WIDEStudio | Hybrid

Learn more about WIDEStudio
January 2013 - June 2019

Small biz established by newly graduated Design professionals, passionate about print and digital design.

  • Co-founded a digital advertising agency, managing and executing web projects comprehensively.
  • Developed multiple websites using technologies such as Google Analytics, WordPress, jQuery, React, Drupal 7, WooCommerce, Conekta, PHP, MySQL, HTML5, and CSS3, ensuring an optimal user experience.
  • Ranked various pages at the top of search engines by implementing SEM and organic SEO strategies that enhanced online visibility.

Tools or Technologies Used at Kavak as a Tech Lead:

  • JvaScript
  • Adobe Creative Suite
  • Google Analytics
  • Wordpress
  • JQuiery
  • Drupal
  • WooCommerce
  • Conekta
  • PHP
  • MySQL

Web Producer | Macmillan Education | On Site

Learn more about Macmillan Education
August 2015 - January 2019

An international English publishing group. Macmillan offers numerous literary and academic books catering to public and private schools.

  • Drove the growth of the digital department at the publishing house by designing and developing digital educational activities and landing pages.
  • Participated in the diffusion of digital products, managing the process from planning to deployment and maintenance.
  • Coordinated the department by managing and training interns, fostering a learning and collaborative environment.
  • Established the most suitable workflow conventions by creating manuals for Front End components in digital educational exercises.
  • Founded the project architecture by applying best practices in HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript.

Tools or Technologies Used at Macmillan Publishers as a Web Producer:

  • HTML
  • CSS
  • JavaScrpt
  • PHP
  • Drupal
  • Grunt
  • Adobe Creative Suite

Web Developer Jr | Ixi Studio | Hybrid

Learn more about Ixi Studio
December 2011 - September 2012

A digital advertising agency specializing in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); with national and international clients.

  • Designed and developed approximately 60 cross-browser websites on pixel-perfect design for small and medium-sized enterprises.
  • Developed newsletters for international clients, ensuring an attractive and functional design.

Tools or Technologies Used at Ixi Studio as a Web Developer Jr:

  • HTML
  • CSS
  • Adobe Creative Suite

Projects

Sales Hub CRM Redesign | 2024

Learn more about Sales Hub CRM Redesign Project
Screenshot of Kavak's post-sales section.

Redesigned the company CRM platform, which increased user satisfaction by incorporating enhancements based on comprehensive research and usability testing process. It also improved CRM query performance by 40% by optimizing the database organization and information queries, resulting in greater operational efficiency, as reported by Data Dog.

Stack and Tools used for Sales Hub CRM Redesign

  • Angular 17
  • Next JS
  • PostgreSQL
  • REST APIs
  • Figma
  • Figjam
  • Confluence
  • JIRA
  • Data Dog

Kavak.com | 2023

Learn more about Kavak.com Project
Screenshot of Kavak's post-sales section.

Kavak web presence's flagship. I continuously contributed to adding new features, optimizing performance, and adopting and implementing best practices. Accessibility and Internationalization were my greatest accomplishments

Stack and Tools used for Kavak.com

  • Angular
  • Ngwrl
  • REST APIs
  • GraphQL
  • PostgreSQL
  • Stencil.js
  • JIRA
  • Confluence
  • WCAG 2.1

Loto Audio | 2023

Learn more about Loto Audio Project
Screenshot of Kavak's post-sales section.

Stack and Tools used for Loto Audio

Created for Loto Audio, a company founded in 2014 by audio experts with over 35 years of experience, this website reflects the brand's commitment to premium quality. Its website was developed using a simple tech stack, purposefully selected to improve site performance, providing a smooth user experience without unnecessary complexity or over-engineering.

  • JavaScript
  • HTML
  • SCSS
  • PHP
  • Bootstrap
  • Figma

I AM ZOMBIE | 2019

Learn more about I AM ZOMBIE Project
Screenshot of I Am Zombie's menu screen.

Stack and Tools used for I AM ZOMBIE

Iron Hack's first module videogame coding assignment. I designed and coded the interface and animations. Although buggy and lacking best practices, it was awarded the Best Video Game Project. Even today, it is pretty flashy, pun intended.

  • JavaScript
  • HTML
  • CSS
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Illustrator

Dental Macplan | 2013

Learn more about Dental Macplan Project
Screenshot of Dental Macplan's Home PPage.

One of my first independent projects. Despite being developed in 2013, it still keeps a good spot on search results. The design might be outdated, and it doesn't follow modern best practices (many of them were not even cross-browser), but it's always good to remember where you come from and how far you've gone.

Stack and Tools used for Dental Macplan

  • JavaScript
  • HTML
  • CSS
  • SEO
  • PHP
  • Photoshop