Joaquin Perez

Twenty years in Brooklyn building films, products, and systems — the throughline is the same: make it clear, make it work, make it matter. I'm most energized by hard problems in climate, energy, and public infrastructure where good design has outsized impact.

AI-assisted development changed how I work. I prototype functional interfaces, integrate APIs, and build tooling directly, which means I validate ideas faster and collaborate more fluidly with engineering teams. I write about these ideas in LoopCraft, a newsletter on creative autonomy in the age of AI.

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.