Richard Taylor
Frontend Developer
and tired father of two
I'm a frontend developer with a background in graphic design, specialising in building high-performance, user-focused web applications. I'm experienced in owning features end-to-end, combining UX thinking with strong engineering execution.
About me
I use React, TypeScript, Next.js (app router), Shadcn and Tailwind to build web applications. I'm also very familiar with Vue, and plain old HTML and CSS.
I began my career as a graphic and web designer in 2011, working on a broad range of projects for clients in the UK and beyond. I specialised in creating clean, modern designs for print and digital media using Adobe Creative Suite, and implementing them with HTML and CSS.
I soon discovered a love for frontend development which suited my skills and interests perfectly. I started off with plain HTML and CSS, before using React, Vue and AngularJS.
I played Ultimate Frisbee for 14 years, representing Loughborough University and Great Britain at major international tournaments, winning two European Championships. My knees can't take any more of that, so I've moved onto the golf course when I'm not being kept busy by my two young kids.
Work
Day job
At my most recent position, I worked with React Server Components, Next.js App Router (also used Pages Router before upgrading), Vercel, Tailwind and Shadcn to build and extend holiday booking websites for a large travel brand with an emphasis on performance (page speed in particular) and SEO. I was also solely responsible for firstly redesigning, then implementing a total website rebrand on over 300 pages in raw CSS, updating and adding to the 15-year old code.
NFL Game Rater
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As an NFL fan living in the UK, and with a general interest in just watching "good" games, I have to use my viewing time wisely. This app uses my own algorithm to interpret the data from all NFL games each week, and rate the entertainment value based on seven criteria - most importantly of all, without spoilers.
css-nth-child.com
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An interactive tool to help developers build, test and explore CSS :nth-child and :nth-of-type selectors.
Frizbay
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After 14 years playing Ultimate Frisbee, I found myself with a frankly ridiculous number of shirts, shorts and other team merchandise. Rather than send them to landfill, I built an online marketplace with a difference. Players add their second-hand items for sale, and all profits go to a charity of their choice.
CollectStuff
Coming soon. A CRUD web application that provides a clean, shareable way for collectors to store, organise and manage their items. The goal is to make something more user-friendly and visual than a database or spreadsheet that can be shared within the community or on the collector's own website.
Some other things
Mastercard BRIT Awards picture quizzes
Cryptic picture quizzes on behalf of Mastercard, in support of the "Best British Album" award at the 2015 and 2016 BRIT Awards.
London Underground data visualisations
Visualising 10 years of entry/exit data from the London Underground, using Processing.js for the initial visualisations and data manipulation. The visualisations were then enhanced in Adobe Illustrator to bring them to life.
Penguin Random House picture quiz
Cryptic picture quiz on behalf of Penguin Random House to promote the release of John Grisham's most recent novel, containing clues to most of his back catalogue.
Sports team kit design
Sports team branding and kit design for large-scale sporting events, predominantly for Ultimate Frisbee. I designed branding for two international events and team apparel for dozens of international and club teams including Great Britain, Germany, Finland, Austria, The Netherlands and Australia.