I'm Mike Gowan, a UI/App designer, developer, and artist who loves innovative and out-of-the-box thinking.
And willing to turn ideas into smooth, engaging, and responsive user interfaces and animations.
Behind the curtain lies a mix of design and development skills, practiced with HTML, CSS, React, and more.
With SVGs and icons — big or small, I'm all about crafting vector artwork that pops, blending color theory into every illustration. My animations? Smooth, quick, and responsive, thanks to a blend of CSS and JavaScript wizardry. I've got a thing for designing characters and subjects with a unique style and charm, all interactive and ready to react to user actions or data updates.
UI components are the building blocks of any user interface, and crafting them from the ground up is a love of mine. I aim to fully understand their unique functions, needs, and behavior. Let's wrap up that functionality into reusable components that are designed to be aware of their surroundings. Or, perhaps to live a life of their own. Lists, buttons, micro-apps... all meant to engage the user.
This shows how a simple app can be built with a few components. Our calendar sets the date, and the custom animated buttons let you equip some hypothetical magical items for your days and weeks.
Click or tap items above to equip
This is built in React, using a context provider to manage its state. Through a series of callbacks, events, and signals, the context will instantly update, and the app, well, reacts. This concept is adaptable to any app or website, and an external API could easily be utilized to manage the data.
From Greenville, SC, my 20+ years in UX/UI design have spanned various industries, working with a wide range of clients. From marketing, to car infotainment systems, to gaming, I've helped make products for BMW, Chrysler, Dunlop, Gearbox, and many more. My passion lies in tackling complex challenges, making technology accessible and fun. Bridging design and coding, I emphasize creative problem-solving and the use of animations to improve user interfaces without compromising speed. Balancing design with functionality excites me, even after two decades in the field.
My skill set covers a wide range of languages, frameworks, tools, and design software. My coding experience includes HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and object-oriented languages such as C#. I am adept at using development frameworks and tools like VSCode, React, Expo, Vue, Sass, Tailwind CSS, PostCSS, and TypeScript. In terms of design, my expertise extends to Figma, Affinity Designer, SVGator, Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe Fresco, and Adobe After Effects. My work targets both websites and mobile apps, leveraging these technologies to create engaging and functional digital products.
In my role, effective collaboration and clear communication are cornerstones. I believe in fostering a team environment where ideas are shared freely, and every member's input is valued. My ability to demystify complex design concepts for diverse stakeholders bridges gaps between technical and non-technical team members, aligning visions and goals. I champion open feedback, leading to successful projects and innovative, user-focused designs. This approach not only boosts team efficiency but also cultivates a positive, dynamic work culture.
Interested in creating something special or have inquiries? Let’s discuss your vision. Contact me using the form below to kickstart our collaboration.
Interested in creating something special or have inquiries? Let’s discuss your vision. Contact me using the form below to kickstart our collaboration.