Who I am

This is my path, my career. All the places where I worked...

I thought it might be fun to share a few things from my personal life

(Even if my dog Arzúa isn’t too thrilled about the idea)

About me

10+ years turning “we’ll figure out the UX later” into products that ship. I specialize in design systems and the messy, high-stakes stuff underneath (fintech, insurance, telecom, renewables, public services).

I’ve worked with teams in Spain, the US, UK and Germany, usually as the person translating between designers, developers and whoever’s asking “but why does this take so long.” Research, interaction design, information architecture. I build the parts that keep working after I leave the project.

I started in advertising agencies in 2007 and moved into UX and product design in 2012. Since then: startups, studios and consultancies, and a few years teaching UX to the next generation of designers.

Experience

Select a role to read the details.

  • FlechaJune 2024 - Currently

As a Design System Manager, I create, manage, and document scalable design systems for agency clients, ensuring consistency and efficiency across digital products. My work includes defining design tokens, component libraries, and guidelines, while collaborating with developers, product managers, and stakeholders to guarantee proper adoption and governance.

These projects are conceived as continuous growth and maintenance initiatives, evolving alongside the digital strategies of each client. I focus on building systems that improve workflows, reduce design debt, and provide teams with a clear framework for delivering high-quality products.

  • FreelanceMay 2021 - Currently

As a freelancer, I specialize in developing a robust user experience for my clients’ products. This involves creating wireframes and prototypes for new functionalities. Additionally, I organize and conduct meetings and presentations with clients to showcase prototypes and present new ideas.

My role also encompasses decision-making, design, and documentation of product or feature navigation flows. I address usability issues and strive to provide the best possible solutions. I maintain seamless communication with the development team, resolving queries about the design or functionality of the designed features.

My main clients include companies I can’t name due to NDAs, for whom I developed design systems that reinforce their brand identity and support long-term scalability

Throughout my career, I have collaborated with renowned studios and consulting firms such as Hanzo, Frog, Xeito, Lucid, Avantgarde, or Mosano, working with diverse clients ranging from major brands like MAPFRE, Orange or Fujifilm to emerging startups such as Penzilla, Salescaling, EzzingSolar and Stylib, to name a few examples.

  • Nuclio SchoolNovember 2021 - June 2024
  • Upgrade HubOctober 2021 - September 2022
  • TrazosFebruary 2019 - March 2020

As a professor, my commitment revolves around sharing my knowledge and passionate dedication with the next generation of user experience (UX) designers. My role includes overseeing the entire academic experience of students, providing guidance and support throughout their learning journey.

Additionally, I play a crucial role in reviewing and assessing students’ portfolios, offering valuable advice on career choices that align with their skills and professional aspirations.

  • Green EagleMarch 2020 - May 2021

Fascinating experience in the world of renewable energy, specifically in the field of wind energy. I served as the designer for the company’s flagship product: ARSOS. This SCADA system was designed for the efficient control and maintenance of wind farms, aiming for automation and optimization through the implementation of Artificial Intelligence in the startup of turbines.

Coordinating with the development team is crucial to determine the best approach between the designed features and the frameworks/technologies used. Furthermore, I oversee the deliverables of the development team to ensure they align with prior approvals.

Furthermore, I provided support to other departments of the company in matters related to graphic design. I consistently kept a keen eye on the market, continuously exploring other SCADA products to stay abreast of the latest trends and advancements in the industry.

  • BillinJune 2017 - January 2019

As a designer in a company specialized in developing an online billing SaaS, my primary responsibility was to facilitate visions for improving the current product and propose new business ideas. This process involved research, conception, and the creation of wireframes, sketches, prototypes, and mock-ups.

In my day-to-day activities, the creation of wireframes and prototypes was crucial for the introduction of new features and products. I actively participated in meetings and presentations with clients, showcasing prototypes and presenting new ideas. Additionally, I established and maintained a robust and well-documented design system, thereby contributing to achieving visual and functional coherence in all aspects of projects.

My focus was oriented towards user-centered design, involving rapid and iterative testing to continuously refine the product design. A fundamental aspect of my role included identifying and preparing user stories through user journeys and interviews with real users. This collaborative approach allowed for proposing viable solutions aimed at enhancing the user experience within the context of online billing.

Through my work, I contributed to the development of a SaaS that not only met user expectations but also contributed to the company’s growth and its active user base.

  • LoycusFebruary 2017 - June 2017

Social network dedicated to connecting consumers with businesses, focused on facilitating relational marketing and loyalty cards. In day-to-day tasks, my work involved translating abstract concepts into a coherent information architecture and developing wireframes and mockups that led to intuitive user experiences.

My responsibilities also extended to making strategic decisions by documenting the navigation flows of new features while maintaining seamless communication with the development team.

The coordination between two applications, one for businesses and the other for end consumers, entailed in-depth research, conceptualization, and the creation of wireframes, sketches, prototypes, and mockups for digital products. This process allowed us to build consistent products, unified under the umbrella of a single brand, providing a comprehensive and seamless experience for both businesses and end consumers. The daily challenge was to ensure that each interaction within the social network was intuitive, engaging, and aligned with the goals of relational marketing and loyalty of the platform, supported by a robust design system.

  • Mr. FlopezSeptember 2012 - February 2017

As a founding partner specializing in the creativity of the company, my primary focus was to lead the development of the overall design and style, both for publications and advertising campaigns. Additionally, we successfully ventured into the digital realm, driving the transformation process for various companies by creating digital products, including applications for the burgeoning smartphone market.

Earlier career, 2007 - 2012: Revolution, McCann Erickson, Idea, DDB Madrid

  • RevolutionJune 2012 - September 2012
  • McCann EricksonSeptember 2009 - June 2011
  • IdeaSeptember 2007 - September 2008
  • DDB MadridJune 2007 - September 2007

What they say

Ruth de la Torre

Conversational Experience Lead @ Banco Santander

I’ve had the good fortune to work with Héctor on different projects over many years, and in all of them I’m reminded what a great professional he is. He’s generous with his knowledge and tremendously instructive, which makes teamwork much easier and better. Beyond his strong professional level, he has always stood out for his good nature and his ability to fit in with everyone. I would recommend him always

Ludo Bermejo

Senior Director of Engineering @ Talkdesk

I’ve worked with Héctor for over a year and I can say he’s an excellent UX Designer. His knowledge of the field is very high, and he’s always looking for ways to keep learning and improve. He knows how to prioritize tasks to be more effective in his work with developers.

Yago Quiñoy

Frontend Developer @ Cabify

Héctor is a very capable person with a strong willingness to do his job as best as possible, always collaborating as a team and remaining flexible when issues arise. Without a doubt, I would work with him again

Diego Goya

Co-Founder & CEO @ Billin

Very hard-working, with excellent UX conceptualization and a high level of UI. He fits perfectly in a startup ecosystem

Sonia García

Design Lead @ Hanzo Studio

Héctor has a positive, humble attitude toward work and is always eager to learn and grow—qualities in a designer I value even more than knowledge and experience. He combines this with great human warmth and makes everything easy, always willing to contribute to the team and to serve not only the client but also his colleagues. It’s been a pleasure working together

Bárbara González

Chief Operating Officer @ Hanzo Studio

I worked with Héctor on several projects, and what stands out is his ability to adapt to the project’s needs, his agility in execution, and his commitment to deadlines and deliverables. He has a great attitude toward teamwork. He prioritizes the project’s objectives and always contributes to a pleasant, enriching work environment.

Roberto Amor

Project Manager @ Xeito

Héctor is a very creative person who always looks for solutions to day-to-day problems. His effort and dedication ensure the work moves forward effectively, and it’s a pleasure to work with him

About me

I was born in A Coruña, Galicia (Spain) and, like any good Galician, I’m reserved at first and stubborn. Very stubborn. I’ve also mastered retranca, that Galician art of saying things with a straight face and a twist, as the rest of this site probably shows.

Football came first. I grew up wanting to play like Bebeto, and later like Zidane. It never really left: it became the way I look at teams, which is still the first thing I notice in any project.

While my friends were starting university, I packed a rucksack and spent a hard year working in Edinburgh. It gave me English and a fair amount of character. Back home I studied Advertising and started working before I had even finished, with days that began early and ended very late. It was worth it. I learned a lot, I worked with some of the most talented people I’ve ever met, and I still get advice and affection from them today.

Then, one rainy March day over a coffee, I noticed that the projects I enjoyed most, and the ones coming to me more and more, were websites and mobile apps. I was already doing what the developers around me called User Experience. I just didn’t know it had a name. Everything clicked. Since then it’s been years of sweating, falling and getting back up (being stubborn helps), and I’m still in love with what I do.

Truth or lie

Four of these are true. One is a lie. Open the one you think I made up.

  • True

    My favourite song. I can play it on guitar, on bass and on drums. Not at the same time. Still waiting for a call from Axl, Slash or Duff.

  • True

    220 horsepower and no roof. From 0 to 100 km/h in under four seconds, and from brave to praying in about two.

  • True

    With 83% reliability, I can tell whose tracks those are. I may hesitate between a fox and a wolf. Never about a bear. The boar keep me in practice: they leave fresh tracks at my front door every day.

  • True

    It will come out under a pen name, so if you ever read it you will not know it is mine.

  • The lie

    Close, but no. I played until I was twenty and my friends said I could go pro. I never believed them, so I never found out.

What they say

Andrea

Head of Friendship Operations @ Life

The good
Excellent crisis management skills. Always available for strategic discussions.
The bad
Thinks he’s always right.
In one line
Great company, questionable decisions.

Arzúa

Chief Barking Officer @ Home

The good
A good servant. He can throw sticks really far.
The bad
Stingy with my food rations.
In one line
Héctor is a bit absent-minded, so just in case I follow him everywhere... sometimes he leaves the house and forgets me.

Contact me

If you’ve taken a liking to me and want to get in touch, tell me about the project, the talk or your theories about Area 51. Write to me, or book a call.