About jCode Studio
Hi, I'm Joan — the creative developer and UX designer behind jCode Studio LLC™. I blend technical expertise with artistic expression to build digital experiences that feel as good as they look.
My expertise
What I Do
From concept to launch — I handle both the design and the code, so nothing gets lost in translation.
Web Development
I build clean, performant, and scalable web apps with React and Next.js — writing code that's easy to maintain, fast to load, and a joy to use.
UX + UI Design
I design with users in mind — mapping flows, building wireframes, and crafting interfaces that look beautiful and feel effortless from the first click.
Accessibility
I bake accessibility into every layer of the product — from semantic HTML to keyboard navigation — so no one gets left behind.
Tools & Technologies
The modern stack I use to bring ideas to life — fast, accessible, and built to scale.
Technologies: React, Next.js, Tailwind CSS, JavaScript, Framer Motion, GitHub, TypeScript, Python, Figma, Vercel, Node.js, Angular, Sanity, Supabase
Credentials
Certifications
Professional certificates that formalize the skills I use every day.
Google UX Design Certificate
- Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design
- Start the UX Design Process: Empathize, Define, and Ideate
- Build Wireframes and Low-Fidelity Prototypes
- Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts
Meta
Meta Front-End Developer Certificate
- Introduction to Front-End Development
- Programming with JavaScript
How I work
My Approach
Great digital experiences don't happen by accident — they're built with intention at every step.
User First, Always
Every decision I make starts with the person using it. Before any design or code, I map flows, uncover friction, and look for moments where the experience can genuinely delight someone.
Accessible by Default
I hold myself to WCAG standards on every project — not because I have to, but because building for everyone makes the product better. Inclusive design isn't an add-on; it's the work.
Creative Partner, Not Just a Coder
I push back when something doesn't serve the user, bring ideas nobody asked for, and treat every project like I have a real stake in its success — because I do.
The jCode Journey
From Chapman's CS labs to App Store launches — the full story.
Chapman University — CS & Business
Started a dual-track B.S. in Computer Science and Business Administration. Joined Girls Who Code, the Korean American Student Association, and played on the softball team.
Yonsei University — Seoul, South Korea
Exchange student at Yonsei University with a game development internship in Seoul. Served concurrently as VP of the Korean American Student Association at Chapman.
Graduated Chapman + Google PM Certification
Earned my B.S. in Computer Science & Business Administration. Immediately pursued professional development — completing the Google Project Management certification to round out the technical foundation with structured delivery skills.
Founded jCode Studio LLC
Launched my own digital studio offering full-stack web development and UX/UI design. First contracts included Mental Freedom® and LifeFit Matrix for Olver International. Completed Google UX Design certifications and became Head Softball Coach at Lake Forest Academy.
Safe Space for Students — 15k Users in Week One
Designed and built The Safe Space for Students for Crime Stoppers of Houston and The John M. O'Quinn Foundation — the largest project I'd taken on in scope, complexity, and civic impact. 15,000+ users in the first week. Also designed the GGRC 2025 Annual Report and was named ISL Head Softball Coach of the Year at Lake Forest Academy.
My Drink Diary — App Store Launch
Solo-designed and developed My Drink Diary: an iOS social drink-logging app built with React Native, Expo, and Firebase. Handled everything from concept and UX to branding, development, and the App Store launch.
Still writing the story →
Beyond the portfolio
A little more about me
Origin Story
Illinois State Science Fair
Won 1st place in 7th grade — and was the only girl competing in the computer science category. That moment lit a fire.
World Traveler
안녕하세요!
Lived in South Korea for a full year, studied at Yonsei University in Seoul, and still speaks the language.
Fur Baby
Cat Mom to Kiwi
My kitten Kiwi is the unofficial mascot of jCode Studio. She supervises every design review from my desk.
Café Connoisseur
Matcha Devotee
My drink of choice, always. On a lifelong quest to find the perfect matcha latte in every city I visit.
Bookworm
50 Books, One Year
My 2026 reading goal. Fiction, design, tech, and everything in between — every book is a new perspective.
Plant Parent
Certified Green Thumb
My home is a mini jungle. Every plant has a name and — knock on wood — they are all thriving.
Coach
High School Softball Coach
Head coach for a high school softball team and ISL Coach of the Year. Same passion, different field.