Where It All Started
In 2014, I was a fresh graduate sitting in front of Photoshop, designing logos and social media graphics for a small company in Davao. I had no idea that a decade later, I would be writing TypeScript, deploying Next.js apps, and running my own development agency.
But that is exactly what happened — one small step at a time.
The Design Years (2014-2018)
My first real job was at Onlinecrew in Davao, where I managed web assets and graphic design projects. Around the same time, I was teaching IT at Saint Mary's College of Bansalan. Teaching forced me to understand concepts deeply — you cannot explain something you do not truly understand.
From there, I moved to Jamedo in the Netherlands, then Erjjio Studios in London. Each role pushed me further into web design. I was no longer just making graphics — I was thinking about layouts, user flows, and how design connects to business goals.
The Pivot to Code
The real turning point came when I joined Automation Agency in Australia. Working alongside developers, I saw how design and code were two sides of the same coin. I started learning HTML and CSS more seriously, then JavaScript, then eventually React.
It was not a dramatic overnight transformation. It was years of small wins:
- Building my first WordPress theme from scratch
- Figuring out how CSS Grid actually works
- Writing my first React component and feeling like a wizard
- Deploying my first Next.js app to Vercel
Going Framework-Agnostic
After working with Podblade, Digital Renegades, Three Division, and Nocode PH, I had used just about every tool out there — WordPress, Webflow, React, vanilla JS, you name it. Each project taught me that no single tool is the answer to everything.
That realization became the foundation of The Boring Solutions. Instead of being "a Webflow agency" or "a React shop," we assess each project individually and recommend the right stack.
What I Learned Along the Way
- Design thinking never goes away. Even when writing code, I think about the user first.
- You do not need to master everything. Being competent across multiple tools is more valuable than being an expert in one.
- Teaching makes you better. Whether it is mentoring junior devs or writing blog posts, explaining things solidifies your own understanding.
- The tech industry rewards curiosity. Every skill I picked up — from SEO to AI automation — opened new doors.
What is Next
These days, I am focused on building The Boring Solutions, experimenting with AI-assisted development, and raising my son. The journey from graphic designer to full-stack developer was not linear, but I would not change a thing.
If you are at the beginning of your own transition — from design to code, or from one career to another — just know that it does not have to happen all at once. One small step at a time is enough.