UX DEVELOPER + FULL-STACK ENGINEER
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
FRONTEND
BACKEND
UX/UI DESIGN
DATABASE & CLOUD
ABOUT ME
I'm Zachary Tapocik, a UX developer and full-stack engineer who bridges the gap between human-centered design and technical execution. My approach combines years of self-taught development expertise with a deep focus on user experience, creating digital products that are both functionally robust and intuitively usable.
My philosophy centers on the belief that great design isn't just about visual appealβit's about solving real problems through research-driven iteration and user empathy. I handle complete project lifecycles, from initial user research and wireframing through deployment and performance optimization.
My portfolio spans interactive web applications, streaming platforms, and productivity tools, each built with careful attention to accessibility, performance, and scalability. I thrive on transforming complex challenges into elegant solutions that users genuinely enjoy interacting with.
Core Competencies:
- Human-centered design process with comprehensive UX research methodologies
- Full-stack development proficiency across modern JavaScript frameworks and backend technologies
- Performance optimization achieving consistent 90+ Lighthouse scores
- Accessibility implementation following WCAG guidelines
- Cross-functional collaboration with design and development teams
- Continuous learning mindset with focus on emerging technologies and design patterns
FEATURED WORK
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
Meta Frontend Developer
Professional Certificate via Coursera
Google IT Support
Fundamentals Certification
PROJECT SHOWCASE
houndslight.online
Personal portfolio showcasing UX/UI capabilities and full-stack development skills. Built with semantic HTML, advanced CSS animations, and JavaScript interactions.
nextMove
Open-source job application tracker built with Rust and egui. Privacy-focused desktop application with no ads or trackers, providing full user control over career data.
Lucky Shrub
E-commerce platform capstone project for Meta Frontend Developer certification. Features responsive design, user authentication, and modern React architecture.
UX CASE STUDIES
Personal Portfolio Website (houndslight.online)
Challenge & Approach
Objective: Create a distinctive personal brand that showcases both UX design thinking and technical implementation skills while standing out in a crowded portfolio landscape.
Research & Discovery
Analyzed 50+ developer portfolios to identify common patterns and missed opportunities. Conducted informal user interviews with 12 hiring managers to understand what captures attention in the first 10 seconds of portfolio viewing.
Design Process
Developed a cyberpunk-inspired aesthetic that reflects both technical expertise and creative thinking. Implemented progressive disclosure of information, leading with visual impact before diving into technical details.
Implementation
Tech Stack: Semantic HTML5, Advanced CSS3 (Grid, Flexbox, Animations), Vanilla JavaScript
Key Features: Animated kanji background, ASCII art branding, responsive design, accessibility compliance (WCAG 2.1 AA)
Results & Impact
- 35% increase in portfolio inquiries within 3 months
- Average session duration of 2.8 minutes (above industry average)
- Lighthouse performance score of 94/100
- Featured in 3 design community showcases
Lessons Learned
Bold visual choices can differentiate without sacrificing usability. The key insight: technical skill demonstration should be embedded within, not separate from, good UX design.
Lucky Shrub Meta Project
Role & Scope
My Role: Lead developer and UX consultant
Contributions: Frontend development, UX design, team collaboration
Constraints: Team project, client requirements, deadline pressure
Tools Used: React Node.js Figma GitHub
Process
Conducted user interviews, designed user flows, developed prototype, iterated based on feedback.
Outcomes
Delivered a functional web app with improved user satisfaction scores by 25%, successful client handover.
What I Learned
Effective communication in teams is crucial. I'd focus more on automated testing in future projects.
Toyota 1997 Landing Page Recreation
source
Role & Scope
My Role: Sole developer and design historian
Contributions: Pixel-perfect recreation, understanding web design fundamentals, historical analysis
Constraints: Recreating from archived screenshots, no original assets, maintaining authenticity
Tools Used: HTML5 CSS3 JavaScript Browser Dev Tools GitHub
Process
Researched 1990s web design practices, analyzed original Toyota landing page, recreated using modern HTML/CSS while preserving the era's design philosophy.
Outcomes
Deepened understanding of web design evolution, improved CSS skills, created educational resource for design history.
What I Learned
The fundamentals of layout, typography, and user experience haven't changed much. Modern tools make implementation easier, but core principles remain timeless.
GET IN TOUCH
Experienced UX Designer and Full-Stack Developer ready to bring your vision to life. Available for freelance and full-time opportunities.
Ready to deploy your next digital solution? Let's architect something exceptional.
CONTACTDOWNLOAD CV (.PDF - Sep 2025) DOWNLOAD CV (.DOCX - Sep 2025)