About Me

I'm a digital generalist with 25 years of experience bringing practical, well-crafted products to life. I write code, shape interfaces, untangle UX flows, and craft clear copy, often all at once.

Honestly, I've never thought of myself purely as a designer. I'm a builder and a maker. What draws me to design is the intersection between ideas and reality: taking something from concept to creation, bridging how it looks with how it works. From my earliest days making websites as a kid, I've loved that balance of visual expression and technical craftsmanship. For me, design isn't just aesthetics. It's solving real problems thoughtfully and tangibly, something I do both on and off the screen.

• Comfortable across disciplines: UX, front-end, back-end, writing. Whatever it takes to ship good software.
• Self-managed and adaptable: 15+ years independently running projects and collaborating remotely.
• Proven track record: Reliably shipping projects and building lasting client relationships since 2002.

I love working on the web because it's open, flexible, and immediate. There's nothing quite like the quick feedback loop of having an idea, building it, and instantly sharing it with the world. The web blends technical precision with creative expression, making it endlessly interesting to build on.

Skills & Technologies

Selected Work

FoldingStory.com

Problem

Collaborative writing platforms were either too complex or too unstructured, making creative writing with others frustrating.

Solution

I designed and built a platform that lets users write stories together one paragraph at a time, with a clean, distraction-free interface.

My Role

End-to-end product design (UX, UI, front-end and back-end with Laravel) and product strategy. I identified the problem, designed the solution, and shipped it.

Outcome

Over 160,000 story contributions from users who appreciate the focused, simple approach to collaborative creativity.

Website

foldingstory.com

TheInternetToken.com

Problem

Traditional lotteries have issues with transparency, high fees, and limited accessibility, while most blockchain applications have intimidating interfaces unsuitable for mainstream users.

Solution

I designed and built an onchain lottery with a clean, approachable interface that makes blockchain interaction simple while maintaining complete transparency in the drawing process.

My Role

Developed smart contracts on Base blockchain, created the frontend with React, built the backend with Python, and designed a user experience that abstracts away blockchain complexity without sacrificing transparency or security.

Outcome

Successfully processed over $4M in prizes with a growing user base of both crypto-native and mainstream users, demonstrating that blockchain applications can be both technically robust and delightful to use.

Website

theinternettoken.com

Burnmix.com

Problem

A group of friends wanted a simple, centralized way to share monthly playlists, notes, and commentary, something more permanent and expressive than chat threads or Spotify links.

Solution

I built a site that supports playlist uploads, custom cover art, commentary, search, filtering, and an on-site MP3 player. It's a lightweight, focused platform designed to make our monthly mixes more enjoyable and easier to revisit.

My Role

Full-stack development using Laravel and React. Built the database, backend, frontend, and audio player. Designed for ease of use and long-term archiving of our club's history.

Outcome

Burnmix has kept a tight group of nine friends actively sharing music every month for over 15 years. It's a small but meaningful product, and a reminder of how software can strengthen personal connection.

Website

burnmix.com

Client Work

Problem

Organizations often struggle with inflexible, generic websites that don't reflect their brand or meet their unique content needs.

Solution

I develop custom WordPress solutions with bespoke themes, tailored content structures, and streamlined publishing workflows.

My Role

Technical lead for dozens of organizations spanning nonprofits, educational institutions, and small businesses. I handle everything from information architecture to theme development and custom plugin creation.

Outcome

My clients consistently report more efficient content publishing workflows, easier site maintenance, and more effective online presence while maintaining the performance benefits of static sites.

Website

pilotmade.com/work

Work History

Principal & Founder at Pilotmade

Running my own S corporation for 15 years, building focused digital products for clients who value clarity and purpose. Specializing in content-rich platforms for nonprofits and educational institutions, with recent expansion into blockchain applications.

pilotmade.com

Associate Director of Design at MIT

Led the redesign of MIT's giving platforms and alumni magazine, creating a streamlined information architecture and improved user experience that served thousands of alumni and internal stakeholders.

mit.edu

Lead Web Producer at Boston College

Pioneered digital communication strategies during the early web era, introducing podcast content and database-driven systems when most institutions were still figuring out basic HTML.

bc.edu

For more work history, check out my LinkedIn

What Drives Me

I'm energized by working at the intersection of web development, AI, and blockchain, three technologies that are reshaping how we build and interact with digital products. This convergence scratches all my itches and keeps me deeply engaged, whether I'm building smart contracts that integrate with AI systems or creating web interfaces that make complex blockchain interactions intuitive.

• Full-stack thinking: I understand how design decisions impact development and vice versa, leading to more cohesive products across the entire technology stack.
• Emerging tech integration: I excel at making cutting-edge technologies like blockchain and AI accessible through thoughtful web interfaces and user experiences.
• Practical innovation: I focus on real-world applications rather than technology for its own sake, always asking "how does this actually help users?"
• Self-directed execution: 15+ years of independent project management means I can take ownership and drive projects forward with minimal oversight.

My Approach

I believe great software comes from understanding both the technical and human elements. Coaching youth hockey has taught me the value of clear communication and building trust. Playing guitar reinforces the importance of consistent practice and iteration. Time spent working in the mountains of New Hampshire built my independence and problem-solving skills, while woodworking and baking bread keep me connected to craft, simplicity, and creating something tangible with my hands.

Let's Talk

I'd love to discuss how my experience at the intersection of web development, AI, and blockchain can help drive your next project forward.

hey@noahkuhn.com