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HELLO, WORLD!_ ✿

I'm Yafira Martinez — a Developer, Designer, and Creative Technologist based in NYC. I create within the realms of web and front-end development, UI/product design, and the expressive overlap of technology, art, and computation. Currently, I’m pursuing my graduate studies at NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP) , where I craft thoughtful, interactive experiences through physical computing, interaction design, fabrication, and creative experimentation. I’m passionate about bringing digital ideas to life at the nexus of engineering and design. My work is driven by a desire to build expressive tools and playful systems that empower people and expand the ways we interact with computers.

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+ more about me

whoami? 🌸

I am a visual learner, creative thinker, and detail-oriented software engineer who is eager to learn, design, and develop. As a design oriented thinker with attention to detail -- user experience, clean accessible code, and beautiful pixels are essential to me. I thrive in creative environments and am passionate about bringing both the technical and creative aspects of digital products to life; by developing and designing experiences that can translate digital creations into physical inventions. As an advocate for Dieter Rams's 10 Principles of Good Design and John Maeda's Laws Of Simplicity -- I also agree that less is more.

Previously ⌛️

I'm a City University of New York alumni with a BSc in Computer Science. In the past, I have also earned a BBA in Business Administration with a minor in journalism. During my high school years while being exposed to a marketing internship which I tried out the blue, I thought studying business in college would be my raison d'être. However, upon graduating college, I couldn't picture myself settling in that career path anymore. I didn't feel like I was learning any useful knowledge, and decided I was not in the right field. Post-college, none of the job opportunities were remotely attractive. I realized a bit late that it wasn't exactly what I desired to do. I was in search of something much more interactive and where I could broaden my creativity. I also wanted to do something that was useful in ways that could create an impact in the world -- fortunately technology and design awakened that interest and unknowingly has always been my true passion. Through this self-discovery, I decided to continue my education and pursue a career in tech. Technology has been apart of my life since childhood -- from computer games, electronic toys to styling MySpace pages with basic HTML/CSS, I happen to never really acknowledge that I could pursue a career in it. I became fascinated with the way innovations in technology are able to improve everyday quality of life, from education, medicine to universal design. Switching career paths wasn't easy but I found joy in challenging myself throughout this journey.

Why programming? 🧩

The craft of programming has given me the courage and desire to utilize my creativity and knowledge in a more powerful way. As I've learned more about technology and its ability to improve user experiences, task performance, quality of life and the impact it can have in our day to day, I saw the potential it had to enhance our lives and help society as a whole. I also choose to code because I like things that challenge me to think. By solving logical puzzles I get to explore a new kind of paint brush using logic & math. Computer science and programming are powerful tools for expressing creativity and for actuating change.

Why Design? 🎨

Design holds a special place in my heart. From a very young age, my design abilities have been intuitive. I’ve always enjoyed crafting, sorting, decorating, and arranging things in specific ways, showcasing the importance of details. I believe that great design can elevate experiences, making them not only functional but also delightful. The process of design allows me to explore color, form, and user interaction, which fuels my passion for creating engaging and meaningful experiences.

Currently 🍵

At this moment, I am a graduate student at NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program also known as ITP. I am seeking opportunities in web development and/or UI/product design. Meanwhile, I am spending my time learning, improving, and expanding my programming and design skills also working on projects at the intersection of technology and art. When I'm not coding or designing, I am taking photos of sceneries & things, learning a new language, dabbling in culinary explorations, reading, doodling, playing chess, generating new ideas for future projects, always curious and learning something new. You can also find me posting content @electrocutelab ☺.


Projects

Code

circuit simulator

TinkerThread, circuit simulator

JavaScript, HTML/CSS
blog-app

Cute Technologies, a blog

Next.js, Notion API
news-app

Salvador DALL·E, image generator

React.js, DALL·E 2 API
synth-chime

Synthwave Chimes (desktop view only)

JavaScript (p5.js), HTML/CSS
calculator

Sailor Moon Calculator

JavaScript, HTML/CSS
notes

Markie, markdown notes app

React.js
card

Scribble Pop, drawing tool

JavaScript, HTML5 Canvas/CSS
news-app

NewsBits, news app

Mobile, React Native
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Design

bdazzled

bDazzled, a custom bicycle web shop

UX/UI Design
cosmic

Cosmic Snax, a snack ordering app for a movie theater

UX/UI Design
seedling

Seedling, a tool to help people develop their creativity

UX/UI Design
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Craft/Mixed Media

card

AirSense, Indoor Air Quality Monitor & Web Dashboard

Arduino/C++, BME680 sensor, React.js, Chart.js
card

Glowmotion, a gesture controlled light

Arduino/C++, APDS9960 sensor
card

Past, Pastry, Future, an AR Time Travel Experience

Unity/C#, Vuforia Engine

☆ Check out my GitHub, Glitch or Figma for more projects/experiments.

Skills

  • Experience with:

  • Front-end development:

    JavaScript, React, HTML5/CSS3

  • Back-end development:

    Python, Java

  • Data Engineering:

    SQL, Data Analysis, Machine Learning

  • UI/UX Design:

    Wireframing, UI Prototyping, Research, Visual communication, Information architecture

  • Exposure to:

  • Frameworks/Libraries/Server-side:

    Node.js, P5.js, ML5.js, TensorFlow

  • Relational Database/NoSQL:

    PostgreSQL, Firebase

  • Mobile Development:

    Swift, React Native

  • Hardware:

    Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Adafruit, Sparkfun

  • Currently exploring:

  • p5.js, Interaction Design, Electronics, Physical Computing

Tools

  • Design/Code:

    Visual Studio Code, git, GitHub, Warp, Figma, Adobe (XD, Fresco)

  • Productivity:

    Arc Browser, Notion, FigJam, Obsidian, Craft Docs, WordPress, Raycast