Toptal Blog
The Toptal Blog is the top hub for developers, designers, finance experts, executives, and entrepreneurs, featuring key technology updates, tutorials, freelancer resources, and management insights.
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Creating a UI Style Guide for Better UX
A consistent UI leads to a better UX. But with so many moving parts in modern user interfaces, how can UI designers be sure they’re staying true to a digital product’s look and feel?
Micah Bowers
Micah helps businesses craft meaningful engagement through branding, illustration, and design.
How to Approach Machine Learning Problems
How do you approach machine learning problems? Are neural networks the answer to nearly every challenge you may encounter?
In this article, Toptal Freelance Python Developer Peter Hussami explains the basic approach to machine learning problems and points out where neural may fall short.
Peter Hussami
Peter’s rare math-modeling expertise includes audio and sensor analysis, ID verification, NPL, scheduling, routing, and credit scoring.
Hot Module Replacement in Redux
Hot module replacement is one of the most useful features offered by Webpack. It allows all kinds of modules, including JSON, CSS, and JS files, to be updated at runtime without needing a full refresh.
In this article, Toptal Freelance JavaScript Developer Shaojiang Cai demonstrates how to use Hot Module Replacement in Redux.
Shaojiang Cai
Shaojiang is a veteran front-end developer, skilled in JavaScript technologies. He’s also a GitHub developer and StackOverflow reviewer.
Biotech Valuation Idiosyncrasies and Best Practices
Biotech companies with little to no revenue can still be worth billions. Consider the most prominent 2017 biotech M&A deal when Gilead bought Kite Pharma for almost $12 billion. At the time of the deal, Kite had over $600 million in accumulated deficit, but it also had a pipeline of CAR-T cell therapies, which treat cancer. This article examines how to value such pipelines. It also focuses on the risk-adjusted NPV valuation methodology, portfolios of multiple drug candidates, and how value is impacted by the characteristics of the investor or acquirer.
Raphael Rottgen, CFA FRM
Raphael is a partner at a crypto hedge fund. Prior, he founded and exited a fintech company, and worked as a banker and equities investor.
How to Create a Sketch Style Guide, Library, and UI Kit
Sketch is a valuable, time-saving resource for any designer’s toolbox. Though not every designer chooses to do so, creating style guides in Sketch can make it even more of a time-saver.
Yvette Solorzano
Yvette has experience in print, web, branding, and UX design. She has a minimal, clean aesthetic while pushing creative boundaries.
Building an ASP.NET Web API With ASP.NET Core
ASP.NET Core is a leaner and more modular redesign of ASP.NET 4.x.
In this article, Toptal Freelance ASP.NET Developer Damir Imangulov shows how to build a robust RESTful API using ASP.NET, EF Core, AutoMapper, and XUnit.
Damir Imangulov
Damir is a hard-working architect, and experienced full-stack developer experienced in .NET, .NET Core, and front-end technologies.
The Future of Work: A View from Seattle
Major economic forces are shaping the Future of Work. Toptal sits down with executives from Seattle to hear their perspective on topics impacting companies across the US, including the talent gap and the looming threat of disruptive innovation.
Toptal Research
Toptal Research
For Founders Raising Capital: Thinking Through the Implications of Convertible Notes
Convertible notes have become an increasingly popular and common method for raising capital by startups, but how well do founders truly understand the implications of going down this route?
In this article, Toptal Finance Expert Jeffrey Briggs outlines the basics of convertible note structures, and runs through the pros and cons of using them to raise money for new entrepreneurial ventures.
Jeffrey Briggs
Jeff is an M&A and VC financing expert, having led three acquisitions and six VC investments at Seagate, a private investment group.
The Present and Future of AI in Design (With Infographic)
AI has become an over-hyped buzzword and the design world is no exception. Instead of resisting it, designers will soon be co-creating with AI. It will make them smarter. (Includes infographic)
Miklos Philips
Miklos is a UX designer, product design strategist, author, and speaker with more than 18 years of experience in the design field.
Most-read Articles
An Angular 5 Tutorial: Step by Step Guide to Your First Angular 5 App
Adobe XD vs. Sketch – Which UX Tool Is Right for You?
The History of Remote Work, 1560-Present (with Infographic) (Updated)
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