Matthew Balaam

Matthew Balaam

Brighton and Hove

Strong front-end developer able to adapt to full-stack within team projects. Agile learner with a curiousness toward innovative problem solving, and eagerness to update skills.

Main skill set in JavaScript, CSS, HTML with experience using reactive frameworks and cross-browser knowledge.

Previous background in graphic design and multimedia drives satisfaction in creating great user experience.

This CV is built as a bespoke React app, review at https://github.com/MattyBalaam/matthew-balaam.co.uk.

Technologies

  • JavaScript, TypeScript
  • CSS and (pre)processors
  • HTML
  • React
  • Redux, Thunks
  • GraphQL, Apollo
  • Jest, React Testing Library
  • Node
  • Webpack, Rollup

Experience

2018Current

Software developer

Pure360

pure360.com

Building a React/Redux/Typescript SPA interfacing with the API layer using REST for handling customer creation and scheduling of multi-channel marketing campaigns.

Notable projects included building a graph-style decision tree with a clear simple graphic interface for multiple journeys of customer engagement and working with UX to create a new image editor. Writing automated testing for all code.

Initially working in a 2-week sprint SCRUM system, before using a 6-week cycle inspired by Basecamp‘s Shape Up methodology.

20182018

JavaScript engineer

Simpplr

simpplr.com

Building features on two React single page web apps in the corporate intranet sector. One an established product using React and Redux, and a more modern product using React with Apollo/GraphQL.

Working in an Agile enviroment using elements borrowed from Scrum and Kanban methodologies

20172018

Software developer

Filmstro

filmstro.com

Building cross-platform adaptive-music desktop app Filmstro Pro: A React/Redux app inside Electron using a lower-level audio binary.

Building new features, improving performance and fixing bugs. Providing input on UI and UX from prototype to final feature. Migrated build tool and wrote automated end-to-end tests.

Worked with product to prioritise stories, tasks and bugs.

20132017

Front-end developer

New Era Education Ltd.

neweraed.co.uk

Working in a team on DB Primary, a safe, easy-to-use internet experience for pupils and teachers with a Java backend.

Creating interactive learning materials and assessed games. Developing an easy-to-use activity builder tool allowing teachers to set their own quizzes and surveys. Developing custom public-facing corporate websites with a CMS & MVC framework.

20092013

Developer and designer

Freelance

matthewbalaam.co.uk

Building bespoke responsive websites with concise, accessible, standards compliant, device responsive HTML and CSS, JavaScript and PHP to work over all major browsers.

Designing and developing interactive E-learning courses at all stages from art-direction to final built course. Creating a wide range of printed materials, emails and animated banners.

20012009

Graphic designer

Newsquest Media

Design conception through to final artworking on a very broad range of print and digital projects. Working in a collaborative design team. Liaising with all departments, as well as external clients and printers.

19972001

Artworker

Archant Media

Mostly print-based work using applications including Illustrator, Photoshop, Fireworks and QuarkXPress in a time-critical daily newspaper work environment.

Education

19931996

Southampton Solent

BA (Hons)

Media and Cultural Studies

The practical half of this degree covered web design, television and radio production, desktop publishing, journalism and photography. These creative practices were informed by studying strands of critical theory with an emphasis on how these can assist the creative process.