About James Warner
Introduction
I'm a web-focused design engineer based near London, UK, currently building Cosmoflow. Previously, I contributed to the component library, digital experiences, and content delivery systems at LEGO, and supported security analysis initiatives at EA.
My fascination with computer software began in my early teens, where a passion for reverse-engineering sparked my journey into understanding how things work from the inside out.
Throughout my career, I’ve combined deep technical expertise with a passion for design to craft seamless web-based interfaces. I thrive on solving complex challenges, blending motion, interaction, and accessibility to create intuitive and visually engaging user experiences.
I’m continually inspired by modern web design that pushes creative boundaries while maintaining usability, ensuring every detail contributes to a polished, cohesive product.
Values, Principles, Beliefs
- Product-driven, tech-inspired, impact-charged.
- Focus = commitment; shiny object syndrome is false progress.
- Reverse engineering balances forward engineering.
- Build the things I'd use, and use the things I build.
- Iterate development & aggregate marketing.
- What we're building > the technology used.
- User experience > internal complexity.
Personal Interests
- ☕Brewing coffee (V60 & espresso)
- 🌱Horticulture (growing lots of chillies)
- 🍳Cooking & fermentation
- 🚣🏻♂️Indoor rowing
- 👾Pixel art & video game design
- 🎸Playing guitar
- 🏠Home automation
Reading List
Some books I like and recommend!
Career & Practical:
Food & Drink:
Gardening:
Biographies:
Art & Video Games:
The Amazon links on this page may contain affiliate tags. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This helps financially support my content creation!
Software
I'm frequently asked about the tools and technologies I use, so here are some lists!
My preferred web tech:
- React - UI Library
- Vite - Front-end Tooling
- Node.js - JavaScript Runtime
- Sanity - Headless CMS & CDN
- Vercel - Static / Serverless Deployment & CDN
- Cloudflare R2 - Cloud Storage
- Cloudflare Registrar - Domains
- Plausible - Analytics
I also use:
- Next.js - React Web App Framework
- TypeScript - Typed Superset of JavaScript
- Zustand - React State Management
- Three.js - 3D Graphics Library
- GROQ - Graph Relational Object Queries
- MongoDB - NoSQL Database
- MongoDB Atlas Serverless - Serverless Hosting for MongoDB
- Electron - Desktop App Framework
- electron-vite - Use Electron with Vite Tooling
Tools:
- Brave - Web Browser
- Figma - Interface Design
- Trello - Todo / Management
- Parsec - Remote Desktop
- Color.review - Color Contrast Review
- RegExr - Visual Regular Expression Tester
- JWT.io - JSON Web Token Debugger
- Blender - Open-source 3D Tool
- Aseprite - Animated Sprite Editor & Pixel Art
- Unity - Game Engine
- ShareX - Screen Capture & Productivity
- OBS Studio - Broadcasting Software
- Spotify - Music Streaming
- TrueNAS Scale - NAS OS
- Home Assistant - Home Automation
Also, check out my curated list of Design Engineer Tools!
Code Editor
Right now I'm using:
- JetBrains Mono Font
- Dracula Pro 2 Theme
Hardware
Office Setup:
- ASUS ROG Swift PG279QM - 27" Main Monitor
- LG 27GP850-B - 27" Secondary Monitor
- Ergotron LX Dual Stacking Arm Black - Vertical Monitor Stack
- Wacom Cintiq Pro 24 - Display Tablet
- Herman Miller Embody Rhythm Black - Office Chair
- Fully Jarvis L-Shaped 200x160cm Black (Discontinued) - Sit/Stand Desk
- Razer Viper Ultimate - Mouse
Custom Workstation PC:
- AMD Ryzen™ 9 5950X - CPU
- Lian Li O11-D XL - Case
- Gigabyte X570 Aorus Xtreme (rev 2.0) - Motherboard
- Samsung 980 PRO 2TB NVMe - SSD
- Corsair AX1600i - PSU
Custom Keyboard:
- GMK Dracula - Keycaps
- hineybush h87a - PCB
- Tealios V2 - Switches
- Gateron Milky Tops
- Gateron Blue Springs
- Krytox 205g0 Lube
- GMK Screw-in Stabs Clipped & 205g0
- White PBT Plate
- Stainless Steel Weight
Audio Gear:
- Yamaha HS8 - Studio Monitors
- MOTU M4 - Audio Interface
- HiFiMAN Sundara - Headphones
- Shure SM7B - Microphone
- DM1 DYNAMITE - Inline Microphone Preamp
Camera Gear:
- Sony a7 III - Camera Body
- Sony a7R II - Camera Body
- Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA - Main Lens
- Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM - Wide Lens
- 5x Azure Kinect Developer Kit - Spatial Computing Camera
- Elgato Cam Link - Capture Device
- Blackmagic Intensity Pro - Capture Device
Guitar Gear:
- Godin ACS SLIM Nylon Natural SG - Guitar
- Neural DSP Quad Cortex - Guitar Pedal (Modeler)
- BOSS GM-800 - Guitar Pedal (Synthesizer)
- LEHLE DUAL EXPRESSION - Guitar Pedal (Expression)