Ilya Karna

About

• 17+ years building and launching web and mobile products for startups • Full-stack + UX/UI in one person: design → build → launch • Recent work includes 95+ PageSpeed scores, 60% conversion uplift, and premium product redesigns • Trusted by founders to take products from 0→1 and scale them

Experience

• Senior Full-Stack Developer UI UX Designer (Current) · Self Employed02-01-2021

  Delivered premium digital products end-to-end as a senior full-stack developer and UI/UX designer, combining Next.js, Node.js, TypeScript, WordPress, and Shopify to ship high-impact platforms. Partnered directly with founders to build from 0→1, improve conversions, and scale products used by millions. iVisit (UK-wide “Airbnb for Things To Do”) --------------------------- - Built 5 regional platforms: England, London, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland - Powered millions of tourism searches - Delivered full front-end & back-end architecture Tech: React, NodeJS, TypeScript, WordPress (Elementor) Aha! Health (Personalised Well-Being Content) --------------------------- - Designed and built a tailored content platform - Dynamic recommendations for mental well-being topics - UX focused on clarity, simplicity, and readability Tech: WordPress (Elementor) Quantum Art (VC-backed NFT Marketplace) --------------------------- - Full-stack build for a high-traffic NFT sales platform - Real-time bidding & collection browsing - Clean React architecture for fast load and smooth interactions Tech: React, NodeJS, TypeScript Gazelle Corporation (Top Canadian B2B Internet Provider) --------------------------- - Corporate site redesign focused on clarity and conversion - Streamlined service discovery and customer onboarding flows - Fully built in WordPress with custom UI components Tech: WordPress (Elementor) Flluus (Eco-Friendly Flushable Period Pads) --------------------------- - Complete Shopify build with custom Liquid components - Optimised PDP, checkout flow, and branding consistency - Helped launch one of the first flushable pad brands Tech: Shopify, Liquid Accomplishments & Responsibilities: --------------------------- - Designed UX/UI for multiple products - Built front-end and back-end systems from scratch - Collaborated directly with founders & marketing teams - Improved performance, conversions, and SEO across projects

• Senior Full-Stack Developer UI UX Designer · Fat Rabbit01-01-2021 – 02-01-2025

  Built and scaled mobile apps from the ground up to over 2 million users, with multiple Apple features and thousands of 5★ reviews. Led design, development, and growth, combining React Native, Node.js, and ASO to deliver polished, high-retention experiences. Hector: AI Therapist --------------------------- - Over 200,000 users - 1000+ 5★ reviews. (4.7 avg) - Featured by Apple Tech: React Native, TypeScript, Node.JS SleepBetter: Sleep Stories, Music, Sounds, & Breathwork --------------------------- - 50,000 installs - 500+ 5★ reviews (4.9 avg.) Tech: React Native, TypeScript, Node.JS Einee (teaches kids to think for themselves) --------------------------- - 2 million installs. - Featured by Apple in >20 countries. - 6000+ 5★ reviews (4.9 avg.) Tech: React Native, TypeScript, Node.JS Accomplishments & Responsibilities: --------------------------- - Designed the apps - Built the front-end and back-end from scratch - Helped with the marketing (App Store Optimization)

• Senior Frontend Developer UI UX Designer · Crowdholding12-01-2016 – 01-01-2019

  - Complete redesign and rebuild of the website architecture - Delivered a clean, modern UI that dramatically improved navigation - Product relaunch grew to tens of thousands of monthly active users - Joined at 3 employees, helped the company scale to 30 and raise $10M+ Tech: JavaScript, HTML5, CSS3, Bootstrap

• Founder Senior Full-Stack Developer UI UX Designer · Vene - play, chat, date04-01-2016 – 08-01-2017

  - Designed and built the entire app from scratch - Reached Top 300 in Lifestyle on the App Store across many countries - Thousands of daily active users - Successfully exited Vene Tech: Backbone.js, Cordova, NodeJS, CSS3, JavaScript Accomplishments: --------------------------- - Took the product from idea to launch - Formed and led the development and marketing teams - Secured investment and guided product strategy - Conducted UX research and designed all core interfaces - Navigated the product through multiple growth stages and challenges

• Senior UI UX Designer · London Theatre Direct01-01-2015 – 06-01-2016

  - Led UX research, wireframes, and UI mockups used by the development team - Worked closely with CEO Francis to modernise the brand - Shifted the product from an outdated look to a clean, contemporary design Department: Design • Level: Senior

• Founder Senior Full-Stack Developer UI UX Designer · Cityfé03-01-2014 – 01-01-2016

  - Designed and built the app and website from the ground up - Led product direction, helping Cityfé become a major alternative to Meetup.com in Prague - Hired and mentored key team members who formed the core product team Tech: Backbone.js, Cordova, NodeJS, CSS3, JavaScript

• Senior Full-Stack Developer UX UI Designer · (Not specified)04-01-2008 – 12-01-2015

  - Built and contributed to products with hundreds of thousands of active users - Collaborated with teams of 3 to 30, working closely with designers, developers, PMs, and founders - Began presenting work and winning international competitions from the age of 18 Tech: JavaScript, HTML5, CSS3, WordPress, PHP, Backbone.js, NodeJS

Education

• University of GreenwichBachelor's degree (hons), Business Studies

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