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Sam Zabala

@samzabala

Web Designer, Digital Designer, & Illustrator | Figma, UI/UX, Responsive Design, Design Systems, Accessibility | HTML/CSS/JavaScript

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking to build design-forward, production-ready web experiences where visual and UX integrity matter. I enjoy collaborating across design and development, turning systems into usable interfaces, and shipping scalable experiences that stay on-brand.

I'm a multidisciplinary graphic designer, illustrator, and web designer with over a decade of experience across digital design, branding, illustration, UI, and web production. My experience spans visual design, UI/UX, design systems, WordPress, and front-end development. I've also worked across B2B SaaS, eCommerce, marketing agencies, theater, and other creative environments, so I'm used to adapting my design approach to different audiences, contexts, and technical requirements. A lot of my work lives somewhere between visual design and implementation, so I tend to think about both sides at once, how something should look and feel, but also whether it actually makes sense to build, use, and maintain.

What I like most is taking something messy, whether that's a website, a visual system, a pile of information, or a half formed idea, and figuring out how to make it clearer, more useful, and visually stronger. With my background in front-end development, I understand how accessibility and responsive behavior affect design decisions, and how to work with developers to create something that's visually elevated while still realistic to build. But design is where I want my work to lead. The technical side is there to support the design, not replace it.

Outside of work, I'm usually drawing, singing, producing music, crafting miniature dollhouses, or making personal creative projects. I enjoy having different creative outlets because each one gives me another way to experiment, tell stories, and keep developing my creative skills. I like work with a strong point of view, thoughtful details, and enough room to craft a polished final result.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Web Developer (Front-End UI, UX Systems)

Current

Point 21 Interactive

Jul 2018 - Present (8 years 3 months)

Bridge designers and developers as a go-to technical partner, advising on feasible interaction and animation solutions while preparing implementation-ready SVGs, CSS/JavaScript animations, and web graphics for handoff.
Improve CMS usability across 200+ websites by organizing Advanced Custom Fields structures and settings and mapping user flows for more efficient workflows.

WordPress Gravity Forms HTML Javascript (ES6)Responsive Design Figma Design Systems

UI Designer

Web Shop Manager

Jun 2017 - Apr 2018 (10 months)

Designed responsive e-commerce layouts and digital graphics with an emphasis on visual hierarchy, usability, and brand consistency across 20+ desktop and mobile storefronts.
Organized content and creative materials for 30+ websites to improve the presentation and shopping experience across digital storefronts.

B2B SaaS Responsive Design UI Design UI UX Design Photoshop Illustrator InDesign Design Systems jQuery HTML CSS Content Management Systems B2B E Commerce

Current

Illustrator & Graphic Designer

Current

Independent

Sep 2010 - Present (16 years 1 month)

Develop custom illustrations, visual identities, branding assets, and digital and print materials for 20+ freelance clients across diverse industries.
Provide web design consulting and design responsive portfolio websites, custom website iconography, logo redesigns, vectorized brand assets, business stationery, wedding invitations, and restaurant menus.

Visual Identity Branding Adobe Illustrator Photoshop InDesign Figma

Digital Media Advisor & Tutor

Platt College

Aug 2015 - Aug 2018 (3 years)

Advised 10-40 students per term in technical and conceptual design skills, helping them develop portfolio-quality work.
Provided tutoring in responsive web design and front-end development fundamentals.

UX UI Design Typography HTML CSS SCSS Frontend Development Mentorship Responsive Design

Graphic Designer

Treehaus Ink

Sep 2015 - Jan 2017 (1 year 4 months)

Produced 20+ branding and marketing deliverables for 5+ local businesses and organizations, including branding systems, logo redesigns, print collateral, and promotional materials.

Branding Logo Design Print Design Marketing Collateral Adobe Illustrator Typography Graphic Design InDesign

Graphic Designer

Intrepid Theatre Company

Jun 2015 - Mar 2016 (9 months)

Designed promotional graphics and digital marketing assets for theatre productions across print and digital channels, including email campaigns, playbills, postcards, and posters.

Photoshop InDesign Illustration Illustrator