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Sean Swanson

Designer, developer, and studio of one

Brainerd, MN/sean@swansonx.com/(218) 818-1023/helloswanson.com/github.com/SwansonX-Dev

Open to full-time, contract & freelance work/Remote, or on-site within reach of Brainerd, MN


Summary

I am Sean. I came to design from a delivery route and a job site - ten years of driving, construction, and running crews before I ever opened Figma. Then I went back to school for it and graduated from the Web and Graphic Design program at Bryan University with a 4.0 GPA: real training in typography, layout, and user experience, and the engineering side to actually build the thing.

That combination is the whole point. Most projects need a designer, a developer, and someone to hold the two together. I am all three, which means fewer handoffs, fewer meetings, and a much shorter line between an idea and something running in production.

Skills

Design:
Typography, Layout & grid systems, Brand identity, UI/UX, Figma, Adobe CC, Print production
Web:
TypeScript, React, Next.js, Tailwind CSS, Node.js, Supabase, Vercel, WCAG 2.2 / axe
Software:
Java, Paper / Bukkit API, Electron, Gradle & Maven, SQLite & Postgres, Git, discord.js
Practice:
AI-accelerated workflows, Claude Agent SDK, Automated testing, Technical writing, Client communication

Experience

Founder & Solo Studio, SwansonX Studio

2025 - Present

Design and development studio of one. Websites, brand systems, custom software, and game-server tooling, delivered end to end for small businesses and communities.

  • Built and shipped 30+ production Minecraft plugins running on live servers
  • Designed, built, and deployed client websites on Next.js and Vercel, each with its own admin panel
  • Rebuilt the studio process around modern AI tooling - faster delivery at a lower price, without cutting the review pass

Selected projects

  • HCMC Minecraft, 2026
    A hardcore survival server built from nothing: 49 Java modules covering death mechanics, seasons, leaderboards, an economy, NPCs, land claims, and staff tooling - with an automated acceptance suite of around 2,000 checks. Java, Paper API, SQLite, Gradle.
  • xSuite Minecraft, 2025 - 2026
    A suite of 30+ interlocking server plugins - economy, land claims, pets, ranks, permissions, chat, crates, teams, minigames - sharing one core library and one command registry. Java, Gradle, Plugin architecture.
  • SiteParamedic Web, 2026
    An honest second opinion for owners who are not sure the site they paid for is any good. Next.js, Convex, Stripe, SaaS.
  • ReportMagnet Web, 2026
    White-label SEO auditing for freelancers and small studios: run a branded audit for any prospect, then embed the same audit on your own site so visitors run it themselves and the lead arrives in your inbox. Next.js, Convex, Stripe, White-label.
  • SwansonX Bot Bot, 2026
    A Discord bot running live in a real community - 16 commands and 12 features, talking to a game server over a single outbound WebSocket, covered by 194 tests. discord.js, WebSocket, Node.js.
  • xPackConvert Tooling, 2026
    Converts Java Edition resource packs to Bedrock. Converter, Geometry, Testing.

Nineteen case studies, each with the reasoning behind it, are at helloswanson.com.

Earlier experience

Ten years of delivery, construction, and crew supervision. The Pepsi route is current: the studio work above is built around it.

  • CDL Route Driver, PepsiCo

    Apr 2026 - Present

    Class A route driver. DOT compliance, pre- and post-trip inspections, and every customer relationship along the route.

  • Crew Supervisor & Class A Driver, Rose City Canopy

    Jun 2022 - Apr 2026

    Ran canopy job sites start to finish across the Midwest - steel and ACM installs off blueprints, OSHA 30 certified, out of state Monday to Friday.

  • Vending Account Representative, Bernicks

    Mar 2022 - Jun 2022

    Independent route stocking and servicing vending equipment, handling both product and cash.

  • Property Maintenance, Pueringer Investments

    Aug 2021 - Mar 2022

    Handyman and remodel work across a rental portfolio - bathrooms, kitchens, tile, paint, and whatever the tenant app sent through.

  • Route Sales Representative, Frito-Lay, PepsiCo

    Apr 2020 - Aug 2021

    Managed a sales route and its inventory, consistently meeting or beating monthly targets.

  • Merchandiser, PepsiCo

    Mar 2017 - Apr 2020

    Built displays to brand guidelines, ran rotation and stock across stores, and trained new merchandisers. The first design work I was ever paid for, even if nobody called it that.

  • Shift Supervisor, Little Caesars

    Dec 2015 - Mar 2017

    Supervised and trained a team of 20, scheduled against peak hours, and closed out the drawer every night.

Education & certifications

Associate of Science - Web & Graphic Design

Graduated with a 4.0 GPA

Bryan University

Formal training in typography, layout, color theory, and user experience, alongside front-end development and production workflow.

Certifications: OSHA 30 (2025), CDL Class A, Air Brake Endorsement, CPR Certified.