Rebuilding and Rediscovering: Why I’m Creating Again — in Code and in Paint

Years ago, I launched inkOrange.com, my first portfolio and freelance site — a space that reflected my dual passions for art and engineering. At the time, design systems were new, front-end frameworks were evolving, and I was fascinated by the idea of bringing structure, consistency, and beauty to digital experiences.

A decade later, that creative spark has returned — this time in a world transformed by AI-assisted development. Tools like GPT and Claude Code have reignited my curiosity and reminded me why I love building. They’ve also inspired this new chapter — chriswest.tech — a modern platform to share my work, thoughts, and creative process as I explore what it means to build in the age of intelligent tools.

Art and Engineering: Two Sides of the Same Craft

To me, writing code has always felt like making art. Both involve composition, balance, and precision — the act of shaping something functional and beautiful from raw materials. Over the last 20 years, I’ve focused my career on that principle: building clean, consistent front ends that scale, perform, and reflect design excellence.

About 10 years ago, when design systems were still emerging, I found my professional niche — building shared component libraries that unify UX and engineering. My background in art gave me an instinct for form; my experience in development gave me the structure to scale it. That combination shaped how I approach every project: as both an artist and an engineer.

Leading Design Systems at Under Armour

Today, I’m a Lead Software Developer at Under Armour, where I have the privilege of working alongside an incredibly talented and inspiring team. My focus is on advancing Under Armour’s design system — evolving it from a library of components into a cohesive design and engineering framework that drives consistency and performance across all digital properties.

This work is as much about collaboration as it is about code. A strong design system bridges disciplines — helping designers and developers speak the same language. Through that alignment, we’ve improved Core Web Vitals, streamlined releases, and helped position UA.com among the top-performing retail sites for Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) and overall front-end efficiency.

It’s deeply rewarding to see measurable performance gains result from the same creative discipline that drives good design. For me, that blend of craft and optimization — beauty and performance — is what great engineering is all about.

From inkOrange to chriswest.tech

When I first built inkOrange.com, it was my creative sandbox — a portfolio, a freelance hub, and an experiment in blending code and design. As my career grew within larger organizations, it faded into the background. But the urge to build something personal never left.

Then came the next wave — AI coding agents. Watching tools like GPT and Claude collaborate in real time made me rethink how creation works. Around that same time, a conversation with my colleague Matt Decrevel at Under Armour gave me the push I needed. He challenged me to build something new with an AI agent as a coding partner.

That challenge became chriswest.tech — a place where I can explore, document, and share how these new creative tools are reshaping both software development and the creative process itself. It’s not just a portfolio — it’s a living lab for ideas.

Returning to the Canvas

Outside of engineering, I’ve rediscovered another creative outlet: oil painting. After years of creating purely in the digital world, painting has brought me back to something slower, more tactile, and imperfect.

In code, everything compiles or it doesn’t; in paint, everything evolves. The process demands patience and acceptance of the unexpected — lessons that have made me a better engineer, too. Recently, I’ve been carving out time for local art shows and exhibitions, reconnecting with that hands-on creativity that first drew me to design in the first place.

In many ways, returning to art has rebalanced my perspective. It’s reminded me that creativity thrives at the intersection of structure and spontaneity — the same place where great design systems are born.

Looking Ahead

Professionally, my focus is on helping Under Armour evolve its design system and performance architecture for the next generation of products. I want to continue building frameworks that empower teams, accelerate delivery, and keep our digital experiences world-class.

That means strengthening collaboration between UX, engineering, and performance analytics, and continuing to raise the bar for quality, accessibility, and speed.

Personally, I plan to keep exploring art — attending more shows, painting regularly, and finding new ways to merge that creative energy into my professional work. Both pursuits feed each other: painting sharpens my eye for design; engineering sharpens my appreciation for precision.

Why chriswest.tech Exists

chriswest.tech is a reflection of all of it — 20 years of building, designing, experimenting, and creating. It’s a place to share insights, showcase work, and explore where creativity meets technology.

You’ll find notes on design systems, performance optimization, AI-assisted coding, and sometimes the occasional detour into painting or creative process.

At its core, this site is about creation — in all its forms. Because whether it’s a line of code, a brushstroke, or a system that helps others build better, the goal is the same: to make something meaningful.

Thanks for being here.