My last name is Verhine, pronounced like wolverine.
You're viewing The Design Portfolio of J. J. Verhine
Hi, I'm JJ.
I'm a Digital Product Designer originally from Atlanta and now living in Los Angeles. My skill set spans Visual Design, UX & Interface Design, Brand Design, Interactive Prototyping, and Front-end Development. I am a designer who can code.
I've built several different kinds of database-driven websites from scratch. Most have been built on the WordPress platform. My focus nowadays is building products within React environments. I'm able to author HTML, CSS, Javascript (and PHP) by hand for a polished experience that looks right and feels right. I'm often the bridge between design and development. I consider myself to be a Designer above all, so if I'm in a situation where all I'm doing a lot of programming, I still value having a voice with regard to art direction: implementation, interaction and style.
I'm comfortable prototyping in Figma, XD, Sketch, and After Effects. Sketch was my primary design tool since 2016. I've spent a considerable amount of time in Adobe XD too but nowadays it's mostly Figma. Tools change all the time and I'm not afraid to embrace new ones. (I was a Flash Designer, after all.)
How I Operate
Through the years, I've gained plenty of experience managing client expectations enough to feel comfortable doing so. I've carried projects end-to-end from conception to completion. I've learned how to tell the client things that they might need to know, but are afraid to hear. I've worked remotely and independently since 2008, so I'd definitely consider myself a self-starter.
My reel from 2018.
Design Process
I believe in sharing work early in the design process. I always get my ideas on paper during a short sketch process with the intention of building a proof-of-concept as soon as possible. My next priority is to gather feedback to validate my initial assumptions about possible solutions, adjust those assumptions, and then branch off into new directions as needed. A generous amount of hours in this discovery phase almost always results in a more fruitful and considered end-product.
The Great Fran Tarkenton goes rogue and says a few outlandish things about me.
What sets me apart?
Half of my career has been agency-led and client services on more specialized roles with an emphasis on visual design. And the other half has been product-led organizations and early-stage startups, sometimes wearing multiple hats. I've found that being able to work directly with the code allows for the discovery of rapidly testable interaction affordances.
Having practical knowledge of the development process allows me to design experiences that feel natural and can actually be built, but also allow developers to be more efficient. I'm able to work without an ego and generate my own ideas, but also humble when fleshing out someone else's ideas. I value precision, but I also work lean and I maintain a mindful awareness that "done is better than perfect." I know when to sacrifice quality for speed, but also how to be resourceful at balancing the two.
In my free time, I enjoy street photography, exploring new places, sewing and learning Cinema4D, among other things.
As part of their Fall 2014 Fashion Campaign, Gap reached out to a handful of influential Photographers in each of the following cities: Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, Atlanta & NYC. I was proud to be among six selected to represent the South.
