Design,then build.

Portfolio
2024–2026Scroll

I design interfaces in Figma and build them in code. Currently Wello, a wellness product I founded; Reckless Studios, a Madison film studio; and Foundry, a school lost-and-found platform.

Status
Open to roles
Practice
Design + Dev
Since
2024
Local time
--:-- CST
Fig. 01
2025
Interfaces that hold up in the hand, not just in the frame.
Fig. 01
Wello, Guided Check-In. Figma system to React Native.

Work

Four projects, 2024 to 2026. Two shipped for others, two founded and built alone. Each one designed in Figma and coded by the same hands.

04
  1. 01Wello
    The first-run welcome screen, a speech bubble over a smiling face

    Helps someone understand how they're doing and take one manageable next step. Soft shapes, generous space, one color per category, palettes that shift with the time of day. “Headspace meets playful digital minimalism.”

    Founder, Product Designer
    Wellness app
    2025 to now
    Case study→
  2. 02Reckless Studios

    A responsive site for an independent film studio that doesn't play it safe. Dark neutrals, warm white, one bold accent, grain, spotlight interactions, portfolio-forward.

    Homepage hero, the studio wordmark set full-bleed on black
    Web Developer, Designer
    Client site, Madison
    Since 2024
    Case study→
  3. 03Foundry
    Homepage hero, search-first lost and found

    Lost-and-found platform for a school. Search, submit, claim, with authentication, claim verification and an admin dashboard. Front end rebuilt in 2026 with a custom Figma UI, WCAG AA.

    FBLA Website Coding
    Next.js, TypeScript, Prisma
    2025–2026
    Case study→
  4. 04Still

    Meditation app in the Wello suite. Presence over technique: no session library, one companion feature called Stay With Me. Original photography from day trips around Wisconsin.

    Crescent moon through tall grass at dusk, Wisconsin
    Designer, Developer
    Expo, React Native
    2026
    Case study→
All work→
02
About

Hax the world.

Take the thing apart, understand it, put it back together better. The Figma file and the repository are the same project, so what gets shipped is what got designed.

Design01
Systems before screens. Tokens, type scale, components, then layouts. Custom Figma UI, never template-generated.
Build02
HTML/CSS, JavaScript, Astro, Next.js and TypeScript. Shipped to WCAG AA, lazy-loaded, GPU-cheap.
Motion03
GSAP, ScrollTrigger, Lenis. Scroll-driven and purposeful, with reduced motion respected. DaVinci Resolve for video.
More about Max→
03
Skills
Bold, daily. Light, working knowledge.20 items

Figma / UI / UX / Responsive web / Design systems / Branding / HTML / CSS / JavaScript / TypeScript / Astro / Next.js / Git / GSAP / Python / Prisma / Expo / React Native / Tailwind / Graphic design / Video editing / Motion design.

Design
Figma first. Systems before screens: tokens, type scale, components.
Development
Ships what it draws. Semantic HTML, WCAG AA, GPU-cheap motion.
Stack
Next.js, TypeScript, Prisma, SQLite. Expo and React Native on mobile. Vercel.
Creative
DaVinci Resolve for video and motion graphics. GSAP with Lenis on the web.
By discipline→
04
Record

2024 to now

Resume, PDF↓
2024Freelance web developer and designerReckless Studios, live client site for a Madison film studio.
2025FBLA Website Coding & Development
Founded WelloLed a team to state-level competition.
Figma system, Guided Check-In flow.
2026Foundry front-end rebuild
StillCustom Figma UI on the working backend, WCAG AA.
Expo and React Native, original Wisconsin photography.
AlsoCodeCS leadership
Yearbook editor in training
Volunteer Python instructorMiddleton High School, class of 2028, GPA 3.93.
Honor Roll. Five Superior Forensic Awards.
 
Full record→
05
Contact

Hiring for design and development? Write.

Reachable at
maxkirchstein@gmail.com
608 843 8850
linkedin/maximillionaire
github/Occams-Razer
Resume, PDF
Middleton, Wisconsin
43.09° N, 89.51° W