Justin Santiago

UI/UX | Web | Graphic

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Justin Santiago
UI/UX Design

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Hi, I’m Justin & I’m a Designer

Hi, I’m Justin &
I’m a Designer

I am a designer who specializes in UX/UI, web, and graphic design. I have been a creator for over 10 years and have experience in digital, print, social, marketing, web, and UX design.

I am a designer specializing in UX/UI, web, and graphic design, with over 10 years of experience in the creative industry. My expertise spans digital, print, social media, marketing, web, and UX design, allowing me to bring a comprehensive approach to every project I undertake.

I graduated from New Mexico State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Individualized Studies, complemented by minors in Studio Art, Art History, and History. This diverse educational background has enriched my design perspective and fueled my creative approach. To further hone my skills, I pursued an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science in Digital Graphics Technology and earned a certificate in Creative Media Technology.

In addition to my professional practice, I have been teaching Web Design at Dona Ana Community College for nearly three years. This role has allowed me to share my passion for design with aspiring creatives, helping them develop their skills and navigate the evolving landscape of web design. Teaching has also kept me at the forefront of industry trends and best practices, which I incorporate into my own work.

Throughout my career, I have remained committed to creating designs that are not only visually appealing but also highly functional and user-friendly. My holistic approach ensures that each project meets the unique needs of my clients while delivering engaging and effective experiences for their audiences.

My Process

I believe that in order for us to work together, there shouldn’t be any surprises. That is why I try my best to be as transparent about my process as possible. I have a basic 4 steps I follow for any project, whether it is a new web site or developing a marketing strategy.
Discover, Draft, Design, and Deliver. I define the problem, design a solution,  and deliver to you a product we are both happy with and can proudly say works!

I believe, no matter the project, that the best design is reversed engineered to allow the user to accomplish their goal. 

Discover

After identifying the tow main points above, preferably over a cup of coffee, I start with research on the goal to familiarize myself with the field of interest to give you the best results. I then proceed to make user personas to put myself in the shoes of the client’s customers. 

Draft

After the project discovery phase, I draft multiple concepts for the design. I first start out with paper and pencil and then after narrowing down my ideas, I move on to the digital, using Figma to create low and high fidelity mockups.

Design

After drafting out concepts and an initial client review, I get to work building out the drafts. Whether it’s using custom code, WordPress, or the Adobe CC suite, no matter the project, I use my hands-on experience to make the vision a reality.

 

Deliver

After all the work is done, I deliver an end design that not only you, but your end users love. When I work on any project, I think as part of your team and take your best interests to heart and will always deliver a project I’m proud to have worked on.

 

My Approach

No matter the type of project, I always begin with the end in mind. To do this I always consider two things:

Who is the End User

I believe that a client’s website or design projects are NOT for them. They are for their customer base and that is who I design for. I ask questions to fully understand my clients goals and business to build the best design for their customers and get results.

What is the Main goal of the design

I understand that some projects, like websites, might have multiple or even competing goals. However, for any successful project, I need to identify the most important action the client wants the user to take. This can be making a sale, gathering a lead, or just education and brand awareness.

Programs & Aplications

I am highly experienced in utilizing a wide range of programs and applications to deliver top-notch design and marketing solutions. My expertise includes Adobe Creative Suite tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Lightroom, and Acrobat, enabling me to create and manipulate stunning visuals, design layouts, and prepare print-ready materials with precision. These tools are essential in my workflow, ensuring high-quality results across all digital and print projects.

In the realm of web design and development, I am proficient in platforms like WordPress, Shopify, Squarespace, and Webflow. These tools allow me to build responsive, user-friendly websites tailored to meet the specific needs of my clients. Additionally, I have extensive experience with email marketing platforms such as Klaviyo, Mailchimp, and Constant Contact, which I use to design and implement effective email campaigns. For team collaboration and project management, I rely on Slack and Figma to streamline communication and ensure seamless project execution.

Design Tools

Adobe CC Suite

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Lightroom

Adobe Bridge

Adobe Acrobat

Canva

Web & UX Tools

HTML, CSS, JS

Figma

WordPress

Webflow

Shopify

Squarespace

Marketing Tools

Klaviyo

Constant Contact

Mailchimp

Mailerlite

Google Analytics

Google Tag Manager

Google Ads

Some of My work