Zach Paul

Front end web developer

About Me

I'm a web developer currently living in Chicago, IL. I have a wide range of experience in web development, but my primary focus is using HTML, CSS, and Javascript to create thoughtful web experiences.

When I'm not coding I like to read about web design and development, listen to electronic music, and play the occasional video game.

What I do

Skills

  • HTML
  • CSS
  • Sass
  • Responsive Design
  • WordPress
  • PHP
  • Web Design
  • Javascript
  • jQuery
  • AngularJS
  • Agile Development

Tools

  • Git
  • Photoshop
  • PhpStorm
  • Bootstrap
  • Groundwork
  • Grunt / Gulp
  • Node.js
  • *nix
  • Jira

Selected Work

Career Center

AngularJS scheduling and workflow app for University of Illinois Career Center

Career Center was the first project to thrust me into the world of Javascript MVC frameworks. My experience with AngularJS led to my great interest in learning more about Javascript libraries/frameworks, like Backbone and React, and the programming patterns they espouse. I worked alongside several experienced Pixo developers to create features and fix bugs on this AngularJS web app.

UIUC School of Social Work

Website Redesign using WordPress and responsive design

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On the School of Social Work site I had the opportunity to mentor a junior developer while leading the technical decisions of the website.

UIC Department of Specialized Care for Children

Website redesign built with WordPress and responsive design

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What made UIC's Specialized Care for Children different was how we delivered the site as vertical slices of features. We started with the core design and architecture, later rolling out features, such as the resource directory, in the weeks following the site's launch. I led a team of developers and worked closely with Pixo's Creative Director to create this responsive WordPress site.

Digitallearn.org

Online learning website built with Drupal and responsive design

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Digitallearn.org is a digital literacy training and support platform, sponsored by the Public Library Association and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. I worked with Drupal developers at Pixo to implement my mark up and styles into the Drupal environment.

O’Reilly School of Technology

Responsive WordPress theme and html templates

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I worked with O'Reilly's designer and team to create a fluid layout WordPress theme and HTML templates to be used for multiple websites and web software.

PowerWorld

Website redesign for software company using WordPress

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PowerWorld makes software for electric power systems. The company was looking for a redesign; I worked with a Pixo designer to develop a custom WordPress install.

Experience

Pixo

Front End Web Developer

December 2013 - July 2014

Junior Web Developer

February 2012 - December 2013

Help Desk Manager

November 2010 - February 2012

  • Developed custom WordPress themes and plugins for website redesigns and CMS migrations
  • Worked closely with designers to implement designs on many types of projects, from custom web apps to university websites
  • Worked with JS frameworks like AngularJS to develop front end code for web applications
  • Maintained client websites, by providing security updates, website audits, and resolving tickets
  • Helped a company grow from 10 to 30 people, by being involved with hiring, mentoring junior developers, and helping formalize processes
  • Provided a technical perspective for the sales process, attended sales meetings, proposal writing, and technical estimation

Freelance + Web Consultancy

Developed several small websites and WordPress themes for local businesses in the Champaign-Urbana community.

Provided consultation to website owners services such as: server maintenance, hosting selection, email configuration, design improvements, and content organization.