Nicolas André

I’m currently working on a few projects, focusing on building tools and enhancing user experiences. Full-Stack Engineer Consultant: I’m contributing to React and Node.js projects, applying my expertise in modern web technologies to help optimize UX of SaaS products. Design Token Tooling: I’m developing a suite of TypeScript libraries to simplify the management and implementation of design tokens. These tools, available on GitHub, leverage advanced TypeScript techniques to ensure type safety, scalability, and a seamless developer experience.

At Specify, I focused on solving the challenge of translating design system data (colors, typography, etc.) from tools like Figma into developer-ready formats. Our architecture centered on efficient collection, structured storage, and automated output generation. I spearheaded the creation of the Specify Design Token Format (SDTF), a JSON schema manager handling 50+ related data types. After gathering community usage via the Design Token Community Group and user needs, I led the technical integration of SDTF into the core product. This rollout enabled critical features like aliasing, theming, and multi-level validation. Finally, I led the development of the SDK, building the underlying design data engine and providing code generation APIs to automate developer workflows.

For several months, I split my time between two main activities. First, I led the final year of my family business, modernizing its operations to transform a 40-year-old company into the digital era while allowing me to manage it remotely. I revamped the entire CRM, upgraded our financial management tooling, built the e-commerce funnels and managed the marketing operations to streamline operations and dramatically improve the customer experience. At the same time, I worked as a freelance consultant, contributing to a few SaaS projects by leveraging my expertise in web technologies to build and refine digital products.

With humility, I endeavored to impart cutting-edge UX and frontend skills to the next generation of digital makers. Through a combination of theoretical approaches and hands-on projects, I provided students with practical experience and theoretical basements to thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of technology.

While at Digital Village, I had the opportunity to engage in a diverse array of projects, spanning multiple technologies and skill sets. I enjoyed contributing to the internal tooling improving the collaborative experience for freelancers. I created web crawlers for e-commerce monitoring using Python and NodeJS, developed web back-offices for mobile applications using ReactJS, and constructed email marketing engines using MJML to empower clients in managing their templates. Just to name a few.

As a member of the governing board, I was responsible for ensuring compliance with the legal framework and managing information systems. During my tenure, I spearheaded the development of new processes and tools to track and report quality data, enhancing organizational efficiency. Our diligent monitoring of activities led to recognition through national prizes among French Junior-Entreprises.

Between 2014 and 2017, I worked as a freelance UX designer and web developer, helping entrepreneurs build their early-stage SaaS products from the ground up. I handled both design and development roles crafting user interfaces and implementing full-stack web applications. I initially built projects with PHP before transitioning to a NodeJS-based stack with ReactJS, MongoDB, and Postgres to improve scalability and developer experience. Throughout this time, I contributed to projects across the real estate, transportation, and healthcare industries, turning ideas into functional, scalable digital products.

Along with the engineering team, I led the frontend rewrite transforming the founders' initial proof of concept into an enjoyable and scalable solution. Leveraging AngularJS and Node.js with web sockets, we tackled the challenges of real-time usage, ensuring seamless synchronization for dozens users interacting simultaneously.

During an internship and subsequent one-year apprenticeship, I worked on various application and website projects for a diverse client base. As a full-stack developer, I specialized in both back-end and front-end development, utilizing WordPress, CakePHP, and Prestashop to deliver customized solutions for applications, e-commerces and static content websites.

As part of the yearly 'Semaine Digitale de Bordeaux' event, I led the 'Parcours Découverte Sonore' project. I managed a team of 30 people to organize a live event in the heart of Bordeaux’s historic area, creating an exploratory experience for attendees to discover the city's history through electronic music and live performances.

Completed a 4-month internship as a Junior Web Designer, focusing on the redesign of two e-commerce websites in the jewelry sector. For one project, I led a comprehensive redesign from the ground up, while for the second, I designed the initial version, ensuring it effectively reflected the brand identity. These projects involved enhancing the customer experience, improving the product presentation, and optimizing the check-out funnel to increase user engagement and sales conversions.