Full-Stack Developer & UX Designer · Vancouver, BC

✿ curious by design

I build things that feel human.

I'm passionate about creating digital experiences that actually matter — tools that feel intuitive, designs that spark connection, and code that solves real problems for real people.

About me
Wakana Kuwayama

Building at the edge of
design & code.

I'm a third-year Cognitive Systems student at UBC, studying the intersection of neuroscience, computer science, and human-centred design. That background shapes everything I build. I'm always thinking about the person on the other side of the screen.

My goal is to create things that are not just functional, but genuinely intuitive, inclusive, and meaningful. I care deeply about the details that make a product feel thoughtful rather than just built.

Currently exploring roles in full-stack development, UX/product design, and HCI research. I love working at the intersection of all three.

🎓 Education

University of British Columbia
BSc Cognitive Systems, Cognition & Brain

Relevant Coursework
Software Construction · Data Structures & Algorithms · Machine Learning · HCI Design · Models of Computation

⚡ Currently

👩‍🏫 TA at UBC Computer Science — Systematic Program Design
💻 IT Staff at UBC Sauder
🔬 VP Internal at UBC Women in Science

🌱 Outside of work

🎨 Digital design & visual storytelling
🎵 Going to concerts & making music
🍜 Trying new restaurants & cuisines
✂️ Crafts, creative projects & DIY
Featured Projects

Things I've built.

MemoryLane

MemoryLane

Hack the Coast 2026 · In development

A voice-first mobile app designed for seniors experiencing cognitive decline, helping them record and revisit personal memories through guided prompts and calm, accessible design. Built with minimal navigation and ElevenLabs voice integration to reduce cognitive load.

Ripple
nwHacks 2026 Best Wellness Runner-up

Ripple

January 2026

A privacy-first mobile app to reduce student loneliness through anonymous, event-based connections. Led end-to-end UX from problem framing to high-fidelity prototypes, integrating audio-based interactions that prioritize emotional safety over social metrics.

BentoBuddies
HackCamp 2025 Finalist · Best Accessible Design

BentoBuddies

November 2025

A responsive web app connecting UBC students to find dining partners. Designed WCAG-compliant accessible interfaces and integrated Google Maps API for campus-wide discovery. Built with a team of 4 out of 300 participants, 64 teams.

Downtime

Downtime

UXathon 2026 · January 2026

A UX concept empowering teenagers to disconnect without social anxiety. Conducted user research with teens (16-18), synthesizing insights into personas, user journeys, and a high-fidelity Figma prototype with automated status messaging and affirming microcopy.

Wardrobe Manager

Digital Wardrobe Manager

Sep - Dec 2025 · 100% project grade

A Java-based wardrobe system with GUI, weather-based outfit suggestions, and JSON data persistence. Built with MVC architecture across 6 classes following SOLID principles, with a JUnit test suite achieving 100% code coverage.

Technical Skills

What I work with.

Languages

JavaScriptPythonJavaC/C++RHTML/CSS

Web & Mobile

React NativeExpoResponsive DesignAccessibility (WCAG)REST APIs

Design & UX

FigmaFigJamUX ResearchPrototypingDesign SystemsCanva

Developer Tools

Git / GitHubVS CodeIntelliJGCPRStudio

AI & APIs

ElevenLabs APIGoogle Maps APIML FundamentalsMultiomics (R/Python)

Concepts

HCISoftware DesignData Structures & AlgorithmsSystems Thinking
Get in touch

Let's build something
together.

Open to co-op opportunities, creative collaborations, and interesting conversations.