Frontend Guild – the bridge between design vision and user-friendly interface
Do you want to create digital services that look stunning, perform well, and are accessible to all users? Are you interested in tapping into the full expertise Wunderers bring to this field? Most likely, yes to both, and that’s one valid reason why our Guilds* exist. In this article, you’ll get a glimpse into the future plans of the Frontend Guild, learning how they help turn designs into user-friendly, high-performance digital experiences.
As the digital landscape evolves and user expectations grow, the demand for intuitive, high-performing interfaces has never been higher. The Frontend Guild combines expertise in design, accessibility, and performance to build user interfaces that are both visually engaging and functionally robust. Led by Jan Lindström and Ilari Lehtonen, who both bring deep experience in frontend and full-stack development, the Guild is dedicated to translating complex design visions into seamless digital experiences. Their work ensures that each client’s platform not only looks exceptional but also meets the highest standards in usability and accessibility, adapting to diverse user needs across projects. The Guild’s work centers on elevating frontend development to create digital services that are fast, accessible, and intuitive, keeping innovation and user experience at the forefront.
High-quality user experiences with a human-centered approach
The Frontend Guild aligns closely with Wunder's strategic cornerstones: Sustainability via Reusability, Efficiency and Simplicity, Collaboration, and Forward-thinking.
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Customized frontend solutions with accessible design
The Frontend Guild combines frontend tools like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, along with frameworks like React, Next.js and Twig (template engine in Drupal), to create customized and accessible user experiences. This emphasis on accessibility ensures that all users, including those using assistive technologies, can navigate and interact with digital services seamlessly. This means that all our Frontend Guild members are able to write code that pays adequate attention to accessibility, to begin with - which indeed is the most cost-efficient accessibility strategyOpens in a new tab.
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Excellence in code quality and reusability
Code quality is essential to the Guild’s mission. The team is focused on implementing standardized code analysis and formatting across projects to ensure consistency. Additionally, the Guild is developing a Drupal theming boilerplate, offering a standardized starting point for new projects to streamline workflows and maintain high standards.
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High-performance standards and reduced resource usage
Performance optimization is crucial for providing an efficient user experience. The Guild is implementing Lighthouse tooling in their CI (Continuous Integration) process to monitor performance metrics like First Contentful Paint and Cumulative Layout Shift. By keeping a close eye on these metrics, the Guild ensures smooth and responsive digital services that reduce resource usage and provide users with an optimal experience.
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Continuous improvement through team collaboration
Jan and Ilari emphasize a collaborative approach to goal-setting, drawing on the insights and expertise of the Guild members. From regular meetings to Wunder Fridays focused on specific initiatives, the team’s collective effort drives the continuous improvement of their processes and skills. This has already led to tangible progress, including accessibility training for team members and enhancing the overall capability of the Guild.
Staying ahead with adaptability and innovation
The Frontend Guild is committed to keeping pace with rapid advancements in technology, ensuring that the solutions they create remain relevant and adaptable. By continuously exploring and adopting new frameworks, tools, and best practices, the Guild positions Wunder to anticipate industry shifts and meet evolving client needs. This proactive approach allows the Guild to deliver not only solutions that work well today but also ones that are equipped to handle the demands of tomorrow. Their dedication to staying current in frontend development empowers the Guild to offer innovative, resilient services that adapt seamlessly to both new client requirements and technological progress.
A few years ago, I wrote my master’s thesis on enhancing employee experience in knowledge-intensive organizations. It reinforced my belief that, even though we’re in the tech field, it’s essential to remember that this business is people-centric; it's not just about what systems do but about what people do. I saw the Guild lead’s role as an opportunity to work more closely with people, helping them do their best work, which ultimately leads to better outcomes for our clients. By fostering a great environment for the team, we can deliver solutions that truly meet our clients' needs.
Jan Lindström, Fullstack Developer & Frontent Guild Lead, Wunder
*Guilds at Wunder
At Wunder, guilds are specialized teams that focus on key competencies, ensuring continuous development and innovation in their areas of expertise. The guilds are more than just communities of practice - they are the core of our service delivery model, driving knowledge sharing, talent development, and creating solutions that benefit you, the client. Each guild is dedicated to specific technical or professional areas, fostering collaboration and ensuring we deliver high-quality, tailored solutions.
In my previous workplace, I really valued how my supervisors supported my development as a Drupal developer, and I knew that a similar role would be a great fit for me at some point. I’ve always been extroverted and enjoy collaborating with others, and with nearly 20 years of experience in sports coaching and teaching, I bring a strong focus on team dynamics and growth. This background helps me support and motivate the team to perform at their best, which in turn translates to more effective, client-focused solutions.
Ilari Lehtonen, Fullstack Developer & Frontend Guild Lead, Wunder
The Frontend Guild is made up of 25 talented professionals, with Guild leads Jan Lindström and Ilari Lehtonen at the helm. Jan, a fullstack developer with over nine years of experience at Wunder, brings a strong focus on improving employee experience and collaboration, ensuring that the guild’s work is both people-centric and client-focused. Ilari, with his nearly 20 years of experience in sports coaching, uses his background in team dynamics and mentorship to drive effective collaboration within the guild. Together, they lead a team dedicated to delivering customized, high-quality frontend solutions. The guild’s approach is rooted in using the latest tools and ensuring accessibility and performance, so that each project meets the unique needs of clients while creating seamless, user-friendly experiences.
We are excited to introduce you to our Guilds that work tirelessly to ensure the best services to our clients. If you missed the previous articles, here are the ones on the System Builders GuildOpens in a new tab and the Tech Leads GuildOpens in a new tab. Stay tuned for more insights from our specialized teams in upcoming articles!
Interested?
Wondering how strategic technical leadership, efficient project management, and cutting-edge frontend solutions can elevate your project’s performance and resilience? Reach out to Anu or fill out the contact formOpens in a new tab.
