Evan is available for hire
Hire EvanEvan Minto
Verified Expert in Engineering
Software Developer
New York, NY, United States
Toptal member since June 10, 2022
Bio
Evan is a full-stack web developer and designer focusing on the front end and can adapt to any web project you throw at him. He's built complex digital reader applications, launched design systems for startups, trained teams in accessibility best practices, and more. Evan enjoys solving challenging design problems using UX research practices and cutting-edge web technology. He strongly values usability, performance, and maintainability and prefers working with clients who feel the same.
Portfolio
KiraKira Media Inc
HTML, CSS, JavaScript, UX Design, Figma, Marketing Design, Node.js...
Freelance Client
PHP, Documentation, PHPDoc, phpDocumentor, WordPress, WordPress Plugins, APIs...
Kodansha
WordPress, PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Web Accessibility...
Experience
- CSS - 20 years
- Web Development - 20 years
- HTML - 20 years
- JavaScript - 14 years
- Software Engineering - 13 years
- SCSS - 11 years
- UX Design - 6 years
- Web Accessibility - 5 years
Preferred Environment
HTML, CSS, JavaScript, SCSS, Web Components, React, Next.js, Express.js, WordPress, PHP
The most amazing...
...thing I've built is the digital manga service Azuki. As a lead web developer and designer, I created a comic reader, user signup flows, and a design system.
Work Experience
Co-founder | Lead Web Designer | Developer | Marketing and Licensing Director
2019 - PRESENT
KiraKira Media Inc
- Built a popular comic web app using Node.js and Lit Web components, including a reader, content discovery, and signup account feature, resulting in investment from top Silicon Valley incubator Y Combinator.
- Designed web, iOS, and Android screens and user flows. Managed a flexible cross-platform design system in Figma, maintaining consistent brand identity across product and marketing design.
- Managed new content launches across multiple disciplines, including social media, PR, paid marketing, and product, resulting in consistent month-over-month growth.
- Maintained a large Node.js, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS codebase, including high accessibility and impeccable code quality standards.
Technologies: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, UX Design, Figma, Marketing Design, Node.js, Web Components, Visual Design, Illustrator CC, Paid Advertising, After Effects CC, User Research, Information Architecture (IA), Writing & Editing, Front-end, Git, REST, SQL, Data Analytics, Google Analytics, Responsive Web Design (RWD), APIs, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Jest, Storybook, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), WCAG 2, Market Research, Web Accessibility, Graphic Design, Eleventy, SSG, TypeScript, REST APIs, User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Content Management Systems (CMS), Firebase, Google Ads, Software Architecture, Google Analytics 4 (GA4), Google Tag Manager, Full-stack, MySQL, Front-end Development, Architecture, Express.js, Stripe, Vanilla JS, Full-stack Development, JSON, CSS3 Animation, Animation, CSS Grid, Flexbox, GraphQL, Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA), User Authentication, Mobile, W3C Widget API, Cookies, Content Management, Design
Software Architecture Consultant
2022 - 2023
Freelance Client
- Analyzed a large legacy WordPress codebase with over 300,000 lines of custom code and consulted with in-house team members to map out the current technical architecture. Added PHPDoc and JSDoc annotations to every class and function in the codebase.
- Built a custom WordPress plugin to generate and display a PHPDoc docsite, with user permissions based on built-in WordPress user permissions.
- Created written documentation and architecture diagrams, flow diagrams, and more to communicate the company's business case and technical implementation to laypeople, technical staff, and outside investors.
Technologies: PHP, Documentation, PHPDoc, phpDocumentor, WordPress, WordPress Plugins, APIs, User Permissions, HTML, JavaScript, QuickBooks API, QuickBooks Online, Intuit QuickBooks, Google Docs, JSON, SQL
Freelance Web Developer
2018 - 2021
Kodansha
- Built a new, highly flexible WordPress theme from scratch based on a full site redesign provided by a branding agency using PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The redesign was launched with a positive response from customers.
- Created a plugin integrating book metadata with WordPress, reducing the amount of data entry work for the client by over 80% and helping them move much more quickly.
- Created WordPress blocks, custom post types, custom fields, and more internal tools that enabled the client to quickly add new content and launch marketing campaigns daily or weekly.
- Enhanced the client’s internal book CMS, built in Ruby on Rails to add additional fields and tools for managing book metadata.
- Revamped the website's built-in comic reader, introducing a new visual design, fixing accessibility and CSS bugs, and improving performance by porting it from React to Preact.
Technologies: WordPress, PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Web Accessibility, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Web Components, Front-end, Git, Back-end, REST, Data Analytics, Google Analytics, Responsive Web Design (RWD), APIs, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Search Engine Optimization (SEO), WCAG 2, User Research, UX Design, REST APIs, User Interface (UI), GitHub, Content Management Systems (CMS), Software Architecture, Full-stack, Front-end Development, Architecture, Vanilla JS, Preact, Full-stack Development, JSON, CSS3 Animation, Animation, CSS Grid, Flexbox, Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA), Mobile, Cookies, Content Management
Product and UX Consultant
2019 - 2020
BlockPunk
- Built new screens and features in multiple React/Next.js/Redux single-page web apps as part of the experimental new products from the anime/manga tech startup.
- Consulted on new product ideas, researching feasibility and providing feedback on audience demand, market conditions, competition, and more.
- Conducted extensive user research, including one-on-one user interviews and Google Analytics analysis, to determine promising avenues for new product development.
Technologies: React, Next.js, Redux, Anime, UX Design, Visual Design, Figma, New Products, New Product Rollout, New Product Development, Accessibility, User Research, User Interviews, User Interface (UI), Market Research, Market Research & Analysis, Flexbox, Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA), Mobile, Design
Web Developer and Designer
2017 - 2018
Internet Archive
- Implemented new search and discovery features and media playback functionality for a world-renowned nonprofit archive used by millions of users. Used PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React.
- Created UX design practice, including regular user interviews, user tests, information architecture reviews, and a design system. After I left the organization, I continued to build a design team using the foundation I had created.
- Refactored legacy PHP codebase, introducing highly readable and reusable object-oriented programming constructs. Implemented a modern front-end build pipeline to speed up development and prevent bugs.
- Acted as a strong internal advocate for accessibility, building accessibility requirements into regular design and development work. Even after I left, the Internet Archive hired me as a freelance consultant to assist with accessibility auditing.
Technologies: HTML, CSS, Less, PHP, JavaScript, React, User Research, UX Design, Visual Design, Information Architecture (IA), Writing & Editing, Front-end, Git, Back-end, Data Analytics, Google Analytics, Responsive Web Design (RWD), APIs, Jest, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), WCAG 2, Web Accessibility, Figma, User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), GitHub, Software Architecture, Full-stack, Front-end Development, Vanilla JS, Full-stack Development, JSON, Docker, CSS3 Animation, CSS Grid, Flexbox, Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA), Mobile, Content Management, Design
Software Engineer
2013 - 2017
Crunchyroll
- Developed multiple critical user-facing features, including premium signup, release calendar, and manga reader for Japanese animation's #1 global video streaming service.
- Created cross-team front-end coding standards and got buy-in from teams across the company, successfully unifying disparate coding standards.
- Launched and co-hosted Crunchyroll’s popular official podcast, the Crunchycast, and hosted dozens of other videos, including live streams and fan convention coverage.
- Assisted with the creative development of animated projects, including sourcing and vetting pitches and talent, providing feedback on scripts and concept art, writing story pitches, and creating pitch decks.
Technologies: Web Development, PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, Symphony, Writing & Editing, Front-end, Git, Back-end, Data Analytics, Google Analytics, Responsive Web Design (RWD), APIs, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Web Accessibility, REST APIs, User Interface (UI), GitHub, Content Management Systems (CMS), Software Architecture, Full-stack, MySQL, Vanilla JS, Full-stack Development, JSON, CSS3 Animation, Flexbox, User Authentication, Cookies, Content Management
Experience
Azuki | Your Digital Manga Cafe
https://www.azuki.coA web application for reading digital Japanese comics, translated into English.
As the lead web developer and designer, I designed the pages, created a design system shared across the web, iOS, and Android, created the overall site architecture, and wrote most code.
I created the web manga reader, a complex, feature-rich comic reading experience. The tech stack used included an Express.js server with server-rendered LitHTML templates. Web components are sprinkled throughout the website based on the island's architecture, ensuring that core functionality works even without JavaScript.
As the lead web developer and designer, I designed the pages, created a design system shared across the web, iOS, and Android, created the overall site architecture, and wrote most code.
I created the web manga reader, a complex, feature-rich comic reading experience. The tech stack used included an Express.js server with server-rendered LitHTML templates. Web components are sprinkled throughout the website based on the island's architecture, ensuring that core functionality works even without JavaScript.
Kodansha Website Redesign
Fully redesigned and rearchitected a WordPress theme for the US branch of Japan’s #1 publishing company, Kodansha.
Based on initial designs from a branding agency, I worked closely with Kodansha’s team to create a highly flexible and maintainable theme using WordPress’s block system, including React and PHP code. I also integrated WordPress with Kodansha’s book CMS with Ruby on Rails to link book metadata to front-end pages.
In addition to coding work, I fleshed out the interaction design and accessibility of the site, filling in UX gaps in the initial visual design work.
The new theme allowed the team to significantly reduce time spent on repetitive data entry tasks and instead create engaging, responsive website marketing campaigns with zero developer time required.
Based on initial designs from a branding agency, I worked closely with Kodansha’s team to create a highly flexible and maintainable theme using WordPress’s block system, including React and PHP code. I also integrated WordPress with Kodansha’s book CMS with Ruby on Rails to link book metadata to front-end pages.
In addition to coding work, I fleshed out the interaction design and accessibility of the site, filling in UX gaps in the initial visual design work.
The new theme allowed the team to significantly reduce time spent on repetitive data entry tasks and instead create engaging, responsive website marketing campaigns with zero developer time required.
Alluma Accessibility Auditing and Training
Audited a complex .NET codebase for accessibility issues using automated and manual testing, compiled a list of recommendations, and held a training session for designers and developers at a nonprofit that helps governments connect residents with healthcare and other benefits.
Utilized my extensive knowledge of the W3C’s web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG), usability best practices, and accessibility tooling to improve organization-wide accessibility knowledge and reduce Section 508 violations.
Utilized my extensive knowledge of the W3C’s web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG), usability best practices, and accessibility tooling to improve organization-wide accessibility knowledge and reduce Section 508 violations.
Internal CMS for Ani-Gamers Blog/Podcast
https://anigamers.comA proprietary content management system for my blog and podcast, Ani-Gamers. I am the sole designer, developer, and site administrator. Over the years, I've built countless CMS features, including a fully customizable post editor, interfaces for filtering and displaying collections, front-end asset (CSS and JavaScript) management, SEO improvements, and high-performance caching.
Accessibility Consultancy for a Suite of Apps
A suite of apps for cities to interact with their citizens. I performed accessibility audits of web and mobile apps, implemented accessibility fixes, trained team members in accessible design and development best practices, and produced official documents verifying compliance with accessible standards. In addition, I implemented bug fixes, refactors, and improvements across codebases in a number of languages/environments, including PHP, React/TypeScript, Flutter/Dart, and Ruby.
Education
2009 - 2013
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Electronic Media Arts and Communication
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - Troy, NY, USA
Skills
Libraries/APIs
LitElement, Flexbox, React, Node.js, jQuery, Preact, REST APIs, Ruby ERB, Stripe, QuickBooks API, Vue, W3C Widget API
Tools
Figma, Illustrator CC, Photoshop CC, Gutenberg Editor, Git, Google Analytics, GitHub, After Effects CC, Animate CC, Maya, phpDocumentor, Google Docs, Toon Boom
Languages
HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, SQL, TypeScript, SCSS, Less, C#, C++, Python, Java, GraphQL, Sass, Ruby
Frameworks
Vanilla JS, Express.js, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Jest, Ruby on Rails 3, Ruby on Rails 4, Ruby on Rails 5, Next.js, Unity, .NET, Material UI, Redux, Flutter, Tailwind CSS
Paradigms
Responsive Web Design (RWD), Search Engine Optimization (SEO), UX Design, Visual Design, REST, DevOps, Hosting
Platforms
Mobile, WordPress, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Shopify, Firebase, Google Ads, Docker
Storage
JSON, MySQL
Other
Web Components, Web Accessibility, Web Development, Front-end, Writing & Editing, WCAG 2, User Interface (UI), Content Management Systems (CMS), Full-stack, Front-end Development, Anime, Accessibility, Full-stack Development, CSS3 Animation, CSS Grid, Schema.org, Microdata, Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA), Software Engineering, Graphic Design, User Research, Drawing, Section 508 Compliance, Back-end, Data Analytics, APIs, Storybook, User Experience (UX), Software Architecture, Google Analytics 4 (GA4), Architecture, User Authentication, SEO Content, Content Management, Cookies, Design, Game Design, Game Development, 3D Animation, Marketing Design, Information Architecture (IA), Symphony, Paid Advertising, Illustration, Animation, Digital Drawing, Color Theory, Market Research, Training, 2D Animation, Storyboarding, Eleventy, SSG, Google Tag Manager, Documentation, PHPDoc, WordPress Plugins, User Permissions, QuickBooks Online, Intuit QuickBooks, New Products, New Product Rollout, New Product Development, User Interviews, Market Research & Analysis, Authentication, Web Hosting, Clipping Paths
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