
J Scott Smith
Senior Web Engineer @GumGum in Santa Monica 🌴
Elsewhere
Who
Creative turned developer working to develop modern web products. Focused on making apps more user-friendly, performant, and accessible while writing code that is tested, scalable and maintainable. Love for all things web, especially JavaScript.
Experience Highlights
4+ years working with React and Node to build modern web apps with Redux/Flux.
- Utilized the latest modern JavaScript via Babel, ES6 and beyond
- Shipped production code often and managed releases with Git Flow
- Reviewed and approved all downstream code through PRs before releasing
- Tested server APIs and user interfaces with Jest, Enzyme and Mocha
- Managed database migrations to support new features or deprecate old
- Implemented server-side rendering with server and client-side fetching
- Customized build systems like Webpack and Gulp to fit project needs
- Optimized apps for client-side performance on mobile and desktop
- Worked with Docker and continuous integration systems like Jenkins/Travis
6+ years working with JavaScript and libraries to build websites and interactive experiences.
- Crafted animated experiences with HTML Canvas, SVG and WebGL APIs
- Used functional and OOP paradigms to build DRY maintainable programs
- Built accessible custom interfaces to ARIA standards
- Configured, adapted, and utilized numerous content management systems
- Always built mobile first, responsive, adaptive front-ends to best serve all devices
- Developed style systems with modern scss tooling for creating robust brand interfaces
8+ years experience in creative primarily for web.
- Designed websites, web apps, and user interfaces with style guides
- Created annotated wireframes and user flows for websites and web apps
- Built brand identities, developed logos, and designed custom typefaces
- Skilled with motion graphics, animation design, and typography
- Background as a 3D artist specialized in character animation and rigging
10+ years working with web technologies like HTML/CSS.
- Complete knowledge of web fundamentals
- Familiar with all browser quirks, past (IE) and present (Safari)
- Utilized graceful degradations or progressive enhancements
- Created semantic HTML documents optimized for SEO and accessibility
Recent Work History
GumGum
Senior Web Engineer
Full-stack test-driven React development for GumGum's core products to support their computer vision advertising business. Working in an agile environment developing and deploying new features each sprint, managing product releases or hotfixes, providing mentoring and guidance to team contributors, and reviewing all downstream code through PR workflows. Additional responsibilities include demoing products to the company and stakeholders, interviewing engineer and design candidates, writing and contributing to GumGum's tech blog, attending meetups or community events, and contributing to the development of Gumdrops, GumGum's open sourced React component UI library.
November 2017 to Present
HAUS
Lead Front-end Developer
Front-end developer leading the production of ReactJS web apps from end-to-end while managing other team members and coordinating with producers to ship projects with tight deadlines. Applied the latest JavaScript patterns to architect rich animated experiences with the latest browser APIs. Focused on building organized, DRY, maintainable codebases with accessible presentation layers.
April 2015 to November 2017
Work History
Big Storm Creative Studio
Designer and Web Developer
2012–2014
CSU Chancellor’s Office
Graphic Designer
2012
California State University Summer Arts
Graphic Designer
2011–2012
Visual Purple
3D Artist and Animator
2006–2008
Technologies/Skills
A non-exhaustive list of technologies or software I've worked with:
- JavaScript ES6+
- React
- Flux/Redux
- Node JS
- Flow
- Jest/Mocha/Enzyme
- REST APIs
- SQL/Sequelize
- Webpack/Gulp/Parcel/Rollup
- Babel
- Git/GitFlow
- Agile/Scrum
- Docker
- Canvas
- GreenSock
- Bodymovin
- SCSS/SASS
- HTML5/CSS3
- Backbone MVC
- PHP
- UX/UI Design
- Sketch
- Illustrator
- Photoshop
- After Effects
- InDesign
Education
California State University, Long Beach
BFA Graphic Design
2008–2012
Book Shop Ads: Creative Advertising School
2009
CSU Summer Arts
2009
Long Beach City College
2007
Allan Hancock College
2004–2007
Awards & Honors
Young Ones Advertising Competition Finalists in Client Pitch - 2012
Magna Cum Laude - 2012
Fine Arts Affliates Scholarship - 2010
Mary Stephens, V.P. Administration and Finance Purchase Award - 2010
Insights University Art Museum Annual Show - 2008, 2010, 2012
CSULB President’s List of Honors - 2008–2012
Santa Maria Arts Council Grant - 2007