Web Design & Development

Hi, I’m Jacob.
I design & code digital products.

I’ve worked in web and graphic design since the early 2000s. As of late, my focus has shifted prominently towards web development, where I apply my distinct perspective and sharp aesthetic sensibilities to create impactful digital solutions.

Recently, I’ve been building

  • Client-side React applications
  • Custom WordPress themes
  • Server-side applications

Take a quick look.

Here are a few recent projects I’ve worked on.

Screenshots of a pension estimator for Saint Petersburg Fire & Rescue - Jacob Benison

React: pension estimator app for Saint Petersburg Fire & Rescue 

Screenshots of jewelrybygiorgio.net incorporating TypeScript and code splitting - Jacob Benison

Front end: reconstructing the Jewelry By Giorgio website 

Screenshots of Mobile WordPress Development, Block Theme - Jacob Benison

WordPress: redesign of the Neapolitan Cove website 

Screenshots of the redesigned brickhouseelectric.com - Jacob Benison

WordPress: redesign of Brick House Electric website 

Screenshot of Neocities CLI, and Rust-based client - Jacob Benison

A Rust-based CLI for those who manage websites on Neocities 

Screenshot of the logo for the WordPress theme Tailkick - Jacob Benison

A classic PHP-based WordPress theme powered by Tailwind CSS 

See more in my portfolio.

Icon: front-end developer

Front-end developer

Seeing code come to life in the browser never gets old for me. I’m passionate about leveling up DX, scalability, and performance.

Languages I speak:

HTML, CSS, SVG, JavaScript, TypeScript

Dev tools & libraries:

  • Node.js
  • React
  • Next.js
  • Tailwind CSS
  • Svelte
  • Git
  • SWC
  • SSGs (Hugo, Gatsby, Zola)

Icon: web designer

Web designer

I craft designs with a minimalist touch, specializing in storytelling and translating intricate datasets into visual narratives.

In my wheelhouse:

UX, UI, Web, Apps, Logos, Infographics, Data Visualization

Design tools:

  • Figma
  • Adobe Photoshop | Gimp
  • Adobe Illustrator | Inkscape
  • Adobe InDesign | Scribus
  • Adobe After Effects
  • Blender
  • Pencil & Paper

Icon: full-stack developer

Full-stack programmer

As an enthusiastic full-stack dev, I am immersed in coding, committed to ongoing learning, and contributing to real-world solutions.

Languages I speak:

Python, PHP, Go, TypeScript, Dart, Rust, SQL

Dev tools & frameworks:

  • Docker
  • Flutter
  • React Native
  • Flask
  • SQLAlchemy
  • MySQL | PostgreSQL
  • Linux Shell

Why have I been coding more than clicking?

The bold words in the title of a book that once lay on the backseat of a friend’s car have lingered in my thoughts for some years: Hackers & Painters. In brief, this book asserts the manner in which developers write software is less like the process of an engineer and more akin to the approach and spirit of a Renaissance painter.

Working in small teams alongside developers, I’ve observed these folks at their craft and found I could relate — like the claim in my friend’s book. I started dabbling. Eventually, I was using more of my keyboard and less of my mouse, more of the command line, and less of Photoshop. Now, I view coding as one of my favorite creative outlets.

My latest deep dives

  • Custom Gutenberg blocks with React + PHP
  • The evolution of CSS best practices
  • Building a Redux-like state manager in vanilla TypeScript
  • Helping write a GEDCOM parser in Rust
  • Using Go to integrate cart checkout with PayPal
  • Developing an API with Python + Flask

Interested in collaborating with me?

Whether you’re envisioning a bespoke website, a user-friendly application, or a specialized online experience, I’d love to learn about it. Send me an email or connect with me on any of the following platforms.