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“Bridges gaps between designers and engineers”

One of Juan’s greatest strengths is his ability to bridge the gap between designers and engineers. He plays a crucial role in unifying these two disciplines, ensuring alignment on a common user experience for our projects. His collaborative nature fosters a sense of cohesion within the team, leading to smoother workflows and ultimately, superior products.

“Kind, patient, and unfailingly optimistic”

As a mentor, Juan is kind, patient, and unfailingly optimistic. He’s an absolute pleasure to work with on any initiative, large or small. It’s no exaggeration to say that Juan’s influence is felt across IBM’s design practice in Figma and all its Figma libraries including the Carbon Design System and Carbon for AI. His leadership and community-building in the Figma guild helped prepare thousands of designers across the organization to embrace a new design tool and level up their skills. His kindness and dedication shifted the entire design practice at IBM.

“Extremely proficient in designing systems at scale”

I had the privilege to work with Juan in building and organizing Figma libraries that impact brand and design across the entire company. During this process of creating a naming system, Juan has shown that he is extremely proficient in designing systems, bringing order and clarity at scale. He is also a wonderful collaborator, offering thoughtful insights and developing further on ideas suggested by others.

“Makes developers feel like partners in the design process”

Juan is an absolute joy to work with. I worked with him as a developer implementing his designs and every time I get the opportunity to work with him I am amazed at what a great collaborator he is. He has an incredible work ethic and fantastic attention to detail that I have been able to witness first hand over the years we've worked in the same organization. He always asks insightful questions and makes developers feel like partners in the design process which goes a long way toward developing truly collaborative effective solutions. I highly recommend him for any design position you have available. He will be a valuable asset to your team.

“Juan is our master inventor (our Obi-Juan, some might say)”

I have had the pleasure of working alongside Juan since 2021, when we collaborated on a critical project to migrate the Carbon Design System's extensive design libraries from Sketch to Figma. Juan is our master inventor (our Obi-Juan, some might say), but his value extends far beyond being a Figma specialist. I have witnessed him play a pivotal role in high-impact initiatives like his organization’s adoption of the Carbon Design System and the on-going designing of the Carbon for AI Chat. He is an ideal collaborator—always open to feedback, maintaining composure under pressure, and fostering a spirit of teamwork. His positive attitude and genuine character make him not only an exceptional designer but also an inspiring human being. I wholeheartedly recommend Juan for any opportunity that comes his way!

“A true expert in design systems at IBM”

I had the pleasure of working with Juan, a true expert in design systems at IBM. His keen ability to identify breaking changes and streamline the system by reducing unnecessary variants significantly improved our team’s efficiency. What stands out most about Juan is his excellent communication skills—he clearly articulates which Figma practices need to be changed, avoided, or continued, always fostering understanding and collaboration. His deep knowledge of the field and approachable nature made him a joy to work with. I truly valued every conversation we had and hold the utmost respect for his expertise and insights.

“He has a deep understanding of user needs and behavior”

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Juan for about 3 years at IBM, focusing on providing intuitive experiences in IBM Digital Workplace and infusing AI into employee workflows. Juan has consistently impressed me with his dedication, professionalism, and expertise. He has a deep understanding of user needs and behaviors, and goes above and beyond to provide seamless experiences for users. His appetite for learning new skills as well as his attention to detail makes him an invaluable asset to any product team. In addition to his professional skills, Juan is also an absolute pleasure to work with on a personal level. He brings a positive attitude and a great collaborative spirit to the team. I'm looking forward to hopefully work with Juan on even more exciting initiatives in the future.

“Selfless approach to leadership and collaboration”

What truly distinguishes Juan is his selfless approach to leadership and collaboration. I can speak for everyone when I say Juan is the most patient individual you will ever meet in your life. He supports his team both professionally and personally, ensuring that their well-being is prioritized and that they are empowered to perform their best work. This comprehensive approach makes him a leader who is not only invested in the success of projects but also in the people behind them. He is incredibly growth-minded, constantly identifying areas for improvement, finding solutions, and implementing changes quickly—often by the next day. This relentless drive for improvement benefits the entire team, as his leadership leads to continual refinement and progress in all aspects of work.