I used to think I had to pick a side—either fully commit to the world of clean code and logic or immerse myself in the colors, type, and layouts of design. But the more I tried to force myself into one box, the more I realized: maybe I was meant to exist in the space between.
Drawing the Line: Where It All Began
I’ve loved drawing ever since I was a kid.
When we finally got a computer at home, I started exploring early digital art—and not long after, stumbled upon HTML during high school. I remember how fun it was to make things move across the screen with <marquee> and <blink>. The satisfaction of getting something to “just work” sparked something in me.
I also enjoyed math in high school. It made sense that I liked structure, logic, and figuring things out. I didn’t know it yet, but I was already thinking like a UI/UX developer.
The Programming Wall (And Climbing Over It)
College threw me a curveball.
I initially hated programming. COBOL and Turbo C felt like an alien language, and I struggled so much my mom had to get me a tutor. At first, I just wanted him to finish my project for me. That didn’t work out—mostly because I was too stubborn and rude to ask properly. So I ended up doing it myself.
Funny enough, once I sat down and actually tried, it clicked. The logic wasn’t that hard. In time, I was making stuff I never imagined I could build.
Turns out, I just needed to fail before I could figure things out.
A Technical Associate By Day, Artist By Night
After graduation, I enrolled in a short course on MS Access and Visual Basic to boost my job prospects. That led me to Solutions Inc., where I started as a technical associate. I stayed for 11 years.
While the work was steady, it wasn’t exactly exciting. During those years, I found a creative escape through DeviantArt. I took up 3D animation courses and even enrolled in a short web design class—only to realize I already knew most of what they were teaching from my own self-study.
I was lucky—my mentor at Solutions was supportive. She let me pursue creative projects even at work. I got to create a 3D animation of the Solutions logo as a commission, while also nudging me toward actuarial science—but deep down, I knew my path was shifting.
In 2011, I decided it was time to try something new—even if it meant stepping into the unknown.
BUILD: The Leap That Built Me
Joining BUILD as employee #1 was the turning point.
I was given room to explore and grow—designing interfaces, developing front-end code, managing projects, and even doing QA. I finally had the chance to apply everything I’d been learning over the years—from ActionScript and jQuery to Unity, Construct2, and WordPress.
Even before I knew the formal principles of UX, I was already thinking about how screens should flow and how users should feel. At BUILD, I evolved into a full-fledged UI/UX developer, building both the visual and technical sides of digital platforms.
Eventually, our team grew, and I took on a more strategic role. I learned even more from my colleagues—PHP, MySQL, backend workflows, and client management. BUILD gave me a platform to practice what I loved, and to keep evolving.
From Generalist to UI/UX Developer
When I moved to Emapta to work with Baxter IP, I shifted from wearing multiple hats to focusing on UI/UX and digital marketing. This time, I wasn’t part of a team—I was the digital team.
Thankfully, I brought everything I needed with me:
- Front-end experience
- SEO strategies I picked up from BUILD
- WordPress skills
- Communication skills from client-facing roles
I worked alongside Gabriel Luis, Baxter IP’s digital consultant, and led the design and development of the firm’s WordPress sites. (Multiple sites, actually—but that’s another story.) It was challenging—but rewarding. I realized that being a UI/UX developer wasn’t about juggling everything. It was about thinking holistically.
The Power of Being a UI/UX Developer
I used to think that being a jack-of-all-trades meant I’d never get anywhere. But the truth is, being a UI/UX developer means I get to see both sides—and build better because of it.
At Arcadian, I now focus more deeply on UI/UX design. But my developer background still plays a vital role in how I work. Even if I don’t write code every day, I know how it should be written. I know what’s possible, and where things might break.
Being a UI/UX developer allows me to:
- Design with technical awareness: I don’t just create visuals—I understand how they’ll be implemented.
- Communicate better with developers: I’ve been in their shoes. I know how to speak their language.
- Troubleshoot disconnects: When something doesn’t look or behave as expected, I can trace the problem.
- Think holistically: It’s not just about how it looks, but how it works, loads, and responds.
Even now, the mindset never goes away. I may not always be the one coding, but I know what to look for when designs reach production.
There was a time when I wasn’t sure if being a jack-of-all-trades would te mindset never really goes away. It shows up in the questions I ask, the systems I design, and the way I collaborate with others.
Final Thoughts: What It Means to Be a UI/UX Developer
Being a UI/UX developer isn’t about doing everything—it’s about connecting things.
It’s about translating creative ideas into interactive experiences. It’s about balancing empathy with logic, and ensuring designs don’t just look good—they feel right and function well.
At Arcadian, I’ve grown to appreciate this role even more. I get to dive deeper into UI/UX, while drawing from a background in development that keeps me grounded and adaptable.
The space between design and development isn’t a void. It’s a bridge. And I’m proud to stand on it—still learning, still growing, and still building things that matter.
About Me
I’m JP B. Bantigue, CLSSBB—a multidisciplinary creative with a passion for thoughtful design and purposeful experiences. Over the years, I’ve grown into a hybrid UI/UX developer—someone who sees both the pixels and the logic behind them. My work bridges the gap between design and development, and I find joy in crafting interfaces that not only look good, but work intuitively. When I’m not designing user flows or checking if the padding’s just right, you’ll probably find me deep in a side project or revisiting old artworks with fresh eyes.
