Joaquin Perez

I like when design and engineering aren't siloed—where I can move between product thinking, prototyping, and shipping. I work best in environments that value speed and iteration over handoffs and process theater. AI-assisted development has changed how I work: I prototype functional interfaces, integrate APIs, and build tooling directly, which means I can validate ideas faster and collaborate more fluidly with engineering teams.

I'm drawn to teams building developer tools, AI products, or infrastructure where the UX layer matters but isn't treated as an afterthought. Companies at the intersection of AI, creative tooling, or decentralized systems are particularly interesting to me.

Career History

Before transitioning to product design, I worked as a documentary filmmaker and television editor, developing a deep understanding of narrative structure, pacing, and emotional impact. This storytelling foundation informs every interface I design, ensuring that user experiences are not just functional, but meaningful.

My work has been featured on HBO, VICE, PBS, NBC, and A&E. I've contributed to projects that received Academy Award, Grammy, and Sundance Film Festival nominations.

Selected Credits

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The Station Agent
Assistant EditorFilm2003
The Promise: Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town
Assistant EditorDocumentary2010
The Greatest Ears in Town: The Arif Mardin Story
EditorDocumentary2010
Moves: The Rise and Rise of the New Pornographers
EditorMusic Video2011
Syl Johnson: Any Way the Wind Blows
Editor and ProducerDocumentary2015
My House
EditorSeries2018

Personal

Based in Brooklyn, New York, I contribute to open-source design initiatives, like the Bitcoin Design Community, NYC Mesh, and other public projects.

When I'm not designing, you'll find me playing games, riding my motorcycle, watching films, spending time with my family or hunting for the best ramen in the city.