Can a Contest Take First Prize Back After the Video Wins?
by Marcos Peña | | AI
Nikon Small World took first prize back after the winning microscope video missed the generative AI rules.
Marcos Peña
UX/UI Designer & Frontend Developer
I'm a UI/UX designer with frontend skills in HTML, CSS, Sass, and WordPress. I enjoy working on interface design and enhancing user experiences for both mobile and web apps. My passion lies in creating intuitive and visually appealing designs that seamlessly connect users with technology.
Tech Arsenal
UX/UI Design , HTML/CSS , Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop
Known For
Creative and eloquent, Marcos is humble yet brimming with knowledge on diverse topics. A natural speaker, he can deliver a talk on just about anything. He’s a die-hard Figma fan and loves engaging in long, meaningful conversations.
Canonical Moment
"The day Santiago introduced me to Figma. I’d always used Illustrator, but after that, I never looked back."
Things He Loves
Must-Have Apps
Figma, Chrome, Spotify
If Marcos Were a Meme
Is Small Light Text on a Dark Page Harder to Proofread?
by Marcos Peña | | UX/UI
A proofreading study found dark text on a light page beats light text on a dark page, and the gap grows as the type gets smaller.
Can a Photo Against the Wall Become the School Picture?
by Marcos Peña | | AI
Parents are turning a wall photo into school pictures with AI. Finishing the file is not the same as getting the photographer's result.
Google Messages Changed the Swipe. Can You Still Reply?
by Marcos Peña | | UX/UI
Google Messages changed what swiping does. Learn the new gestures and what this small UX shift says about familiar app design.
Can You Still Read the iPhone Buttons When They Look Like Glass?
by Marcos Peña | | UX/UI
Apple added a Liquid Glass slider in iOS 27 because iPhone buttons were too see-through — your website has the same contrast problem and no Settings toggle.
ADA Website Accessibility and the EAA: What Small Businesses Need to Know
by Marcos Peña | | Small Business
ADA lawsuits and the EU's EAA already touch small-business sites, so here's what applies and a practical place to start.
Web App vs Mobile App: When a Browser Is Enough
by Marcos Peña | | Development
A web app runs in the browser. A mobile app needs the App Store. Here's how Atlanta founders can tell which one they should actually pay for.
Visual Hierarchy: Why Your Website Layout Feels Confusing
by Marcos Peña | | UX/UI
If every block on your site shouts at the same volume, visitors don't know where to click — that's a visual hierarchy problem.
What Is Information Architecture? A UX Beginner's Guide
by Marcos Peña | | UX/UI
Learn what information architecture is in UX, its four main components, how it differs from UX, and which techniques designers use to validate it.
What Is User Research? A Practical Guide to UX Research Methods
by Marcos Peña | | UX/UI
Learn what user research is in UX, the difference between qualitative and quantitative methods, the most common techniques, and why it reduces product risk.
What Is a Prototype in UX? A Practical Guide to Prototyping
by Marcos Peña | | UX/UI
Learn what a UX prototype is, how it differs from a wireframe, the main fidelity levels, and which tools design teams use to build and test them.
What Is Usability? The UX Component Nobody Notices When It Works
by Marcos Peña | | UX/UI
Learn what usability is in UX design, Nielsen's five components, how it differs from accessibility, and how to test it in your own product.