Joel Glovier designs software.

I design tools for people to use.

I've worked at developer focused organizations like GitHub, Netlify, appendTo, and currently Apollo GraphQL, where I design workflow tools for software developers.

illustration portraying me juggling user experience, technology, and business goals

Research, strategy, prototyping, design, code

Core disciplines

I use imagination, writing, drawing, design thinking, and code to solve business problems with software solutions.

Design process

Product development is an ongoing cycle of identifying problems, exploring solutions, testing, gathering feedback, making changes, shipping to real people, and measuring results. This is how I work.

An illustration depicting the product development cycle

Work

Apollo GraphQL

Sr. Staff Product Designer • 2020

Apollo makes tools for GraphQL developers. I'm working on Apollo Studio, a platform that helps graph producers and graph consumers work together with a shared data graph layer.

Illustration of a GraphQL symbol being assembled, packaged into a box, and then shipped out on a conveyor belt

Sabbatical

Human • 2019

In 2019 I took time away from my career work to focus on restoring balancing to my life, refueling my soul, addressing a mental health crisis, and re-synchronizing with the rhythm of my family.

Illustration of a sign hanging on a wall that says AWAY

Netlify

Head of Design • 2018

Netlify offers developers a way to host static websites and hook them up to powerful backend functionality. I helped build it's growing design team, and performed IC work for several projects.

Product illustration for Netlify's core product concept

GitHub

Product Design Lead • 2013 – 2018

I designed and built experiences for the millions of people who use GitHub every day, including recent hits such as Code Owners, Review Requests, and the Checks API.

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Improving code review on GitHub

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AppendTo

Visual Design Engineer, Tech Lead • 2012 – 2013

At AppendTo, a front-end shop, I did HTML, CSS, and JavaScript implementations of responsive websites such as TIME.com, Zumba.com, and Bloomberg.com.

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Implementing the responsive redesign of Time.com

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CURE International

Principal Designer • 2011 – 2012

Web & Graphic Designer • 2009 – 2011

I owned design for an 1500 person international NGO that operated a network of charitable hospitals around the world.

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workflow illustration of code review collaboration on GitHub

JAG Design Ideas

Founder • 2004 – 2016

Provided professional design and development services for a range of clients in the small business and startup space.

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My clients have included organizations such as StackOverflow, AndCulture, CURE International, Spreadshirt, Papertrail, and many more.

Taught non-credit technology courses at Harrisburg Area Community College to adult continuing education students, including Intro to Web Development, Photoshop, Illustrator, Computer Basics, and others.

Recommendations

I would emphasize his particular thoughtfulness in producing a collaborative environment for peers to offer influence and feedback in his work. He has produced so much context around user problems that I still work off of, and the output of his time at GitHub will remain a great resource for many projects.”

Kathy Zheng

GitHub colleague

Watching Joel's design process unfold was a delight, and the care and mindfulness he infused in every step was inspirational. He is supremely talented, but even above that, he is a thoughtful, conscientious, open minded, positive individual that makes the work environment more inclusive and welcoming for everyone.”

Elizabeth Barron

GitHub colleague

What stands out most about Joel is that he is an exceptional person to have on a team. People love working with him. Joel communicates well, articulates himself clearly, provides objective feedback, praises when people do well, and speaks up when things aren’t great.”

Cameron McEfee

GitHub manager

Joel is not just a gifted product designer, he also has the patience, dedication and work ethic that motivates the rest of the team. He is one of those colleagues that you wish you could have on every project.”

Jialee Chau

GitHub colleague

I consider Joel a rare and genuine soul, an incredibly capable teammate, and strong project leader. I'm thankful to continue to work with him in a volunteer capacity and would be glad to collaborate professionally once again.”

Joel Worrall

CURE manager, HospitalRun co-founder

During his time at CURE International, Joel was a key player in transitioning CURE International's web presence from an awful legacy website to a world class platform that has received numerous awards and accolades. Given the opportunity, I would hire Joel in a heartbeat.”

John Kleinschmidt

CURE colleague, HospitalRun co-founder

I'd been impressed with Joel's design talent well before he joined the team at appendTo. Once on board, his other technical skills were put to use on numerous projects. Joel's passion for his craft and enthusiasm he brought to his projects were immediately visible.”