Ash Connolly
Software Engineer
Using React, JavaScript, Next.js, and Cypress daily, currently at SkyBet. I love building React applications, front end architecture, component libraries, and design systems. I’ve been doing this for around 8 years and had the pleasure of working with large clients like the BBC, WWF, and Microsoft. Further details on my skills and experience can be found on my C.V.
Previous clients
Work
Sky Betting & Gaming
Developing a high performance login interface
I helped develop what is currently the fastest login interface in the betting industry. Comprised of a server side rendered login interface using React, Redux & Next JS. With a high traffic login page, experiencing upwards of 300 logins per second, delivering a fast and lightweight experience is vital. We carried out multiple performance audits in order to make the site as lightweight possible. These changes can massively improve user experience, user engagement, and impact company revenue. Along side this have developed new features and functionality across various core services. Working mainly with React, JavaScript, Next.js and Redux. Further details of my work at Skybet can be found on my C.V.
Man & Van
Building a hybrid, cross platform, mobile app
Man & Van is a mobile application that makes it easy for users to find a reliable man and van nearby. Using React I developed the front end, creating all components, routing and interactions. This web app was built using Phonegap to generate an application for both IOS and Android devices. Alongside this I created a component library to make building interfaces as quick and easy as possible.
World Wildlife Fund
Building a new component based front end system for one of the worlds largest charities
I had the pleasure of leading the front end development for one of the worlds largest charities. I created a flexible, component based front end system, coding guidelines and a living styleguide to make future updates and site maintenance as easy as possible. This made it easy to create unique page layouts by choosing from a selection of components. It also helped developers working on the site, but most importantly it led to a better, more consistent, user experience for site visitors.
UAccount
Creating a new front end architecture from the ground up
I led the front end development in building a new, scalable and robust front end architecture, combined with a living component library. This allowed developers to be more effective and agile, but most importantly led to a better UX for our users. I introduced front end guidelines covering everything from principles to code structure. I carried out front end performance audits, implemented site speed improvements, trained other members of staff to help expand their front end skills and improve their understanding of scalable design systems. I also built the foundations of an entirely new React based front end.
Testimonials
Tom Hoyland
Agile & DevOps Delivery Lead
Ash is a brilliant and talented software engineer, and an asset to any product or engineering team. I’ve been working with Ash for over a year on a range of products, and on each one he’s helped to build a fast, responsive and efficient customer user experience. Ash is conscientious and inclusive when designing and thorough when building. If you have an Ash on your team, you’re incredibly lucky.
Will White
Software Engineer
Ash is an excellent software developer, whose eye to UI design, performance and technology have been instrumental in building clean, responsive products with an unparalleled User Experience. The work Ash has done to rebuild our login system has enabled us to reach far beyond our previous performance expectations...
Writing
A More Seamless Workflow – Style Guides For Better Design And Development
An article outlining the effectiveness of style guide driven workflows, and how they benefit both the design and development of an interface. This article has been well received, reaching over 46,000 views.
It's been mentioned by industry leaders, and has featured on both the Marvel Blog and FreeCodeCamp medium publication.
Managing media queries
In this article I explain the benefits of component driven media queries. It covers how they are inline with flexible design systems such as Atomic Design and how they facilitate content driven media queries, as opposed to device driven media queries, to create the best experience.
Side Projects
RawGit for Github (deprecated)
This chrome extension allows you to quickly convert Github links to RawGit links so that they can be used in development or production environments. It uses the brilliant RawGit, by Ryan Grove, to serves raw files directly from GitHub with proper content-type headers.
Front End Development Guidelines for HTML and CSS
HTML and CSS guidelines for creating scalable and maintainable front end structures, using logical, component based CSS. Covering concepts and principles through to specific CSS structure. I have built up these guidelines over several years, working various roles at different organisations.