About the author

Hello, I am Simona

Simona Nasteva Personal Photo

I have spent the last decade realizing that "good code" is secondary to clear code. As a systems builder with roots in both full-stack engineering and design thinking, I do more than build apps - I ensure tech serves the person, not the machine. I thrive at the intersection of complex puzzles and elegant solutions, where the goal is always to translate human needs into seamless digital reality.

Tech Stack

I treat my tech stack as a curated toolkit for orchestration. While I am overall frontend-oriented, I approach every project with a tech-agnostic mindset, ensuring the architecture supports the experience.

  • Core Logic: I specialise in the TypeScript and React ecosystems, building scalable, type-safe foundations. My work extends into the backend with Node.js, DBs, and everything around them focusing on the seamless flow of data.
  • The Logic of Scale: I am deeply invested in Functional Programming, currently exploring the expressive power of Clojure and Scala to refine how I handle state and complexity.
  • The Design Bridge: Using Figma, Adobe products, Storybook and various tools, I treat interfaces as living systems of logic rather than static decorations. Rather than adhering to a single framework, I leverage the CSS architecture or component library that best serves the specific constraints and scale of the project.
  • Operational Rigor: I view the engineering experience as a first-class product. By implementing GitHub Actions, CI/CD pipelines, and rigorous automation, I ensure that the path from local development to production is seamless, stable, and transparent.

Beyond the Syntax

A codebase is a narrative, and every abstraction tells a story. From my Design background, I bring the discipline of restraint - knowing that a system is defined as much by what we leave out as what we put in. From a decade of Software Engineering, I bring the rigor of systems thinking; I ensure that every architectural choice serves the long-term health of the product.

When the screen is off

When I am not thinking of code, I am usually offline. I am a firm believer in the clarity that comes from stepping away from the screen. I spend most of my time on road trips with my family or setting up camp somewhere quiet. Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time planting new things in the garden - and mostly just hoping they don’t die. Building things that last is always the goal, whether it’s a codebase or a backyard.

The Perpetual Student

I believe expertise is a moving target. While I am a specialist in Modern Web Architecture, my current curiosity lies in the logic of Functional Programming. I am exploring how the paradigms of Clojure and Scala can bring a new level of predictability and elegance to the complex, distributed systems of tomorrow.

The Goal

This blog is a collection of reflections on the invisible craft. It is for the engineers who care about the "why," the designers who think in logic, and the leaders who value software that lasts.

Nice to have you here!

To get in touch, write to hello@simonanasteva.com

I read this email daily and usually respond within a few days.