Rafa

I’m a designer and indie app developer.

Website: https://rafa.design
Side Project: https://handmirror.app
Pronouns: He/Them

Public Key

npub18xv6vejvew460fmunru42zfmf9wewe5429yh24aq82f8nd688k9qakhvmv

NIP-05 Address

[email protected]

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsrnxdxvexvh2a85a7f3724pya5jhvhv624zjt427sr4ynekarnmzspz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dsvc8cg6

Publishing to

relay.damus.io

nos.lol

Author Public Key

npub18xv6vejvew460fmunru42zfmf9wewe5429yh24aq82f8nd688k9qakhvmv

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Last Notes

2026-04-30 17:43:48 GMT

Retro is numero uno in Spain today 😍
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/116/494/894/616/908/565/original/518ea483000e7dda.jpeg

2026-04-20 15:30:38 GMT

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thanks mate!

2026-04-20 09:27:04 GMT

Updated #introduction ✨
I'm Rafa, a designer and app developer living in Amsterdam.
I spend most of my time working at Retro, building Hand Mirror, and being the best parent I can be to my two kids.
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/116/436/317/869/212/097/original/16aa156ffa85aca8.mp4

2026-04-16 15:25:11 GMT

Made a little Mario Star reward system for my 4 year old, and he’s so into it.
Help around the house, or be extra nice, they get a star! Fill up one of the levels, they get a reward!
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/116/415/076/987/220/616/original/9ef7f5aca14aea28.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/116/415/077/278/671/038/original/c8a8c3d737f45f55.jpeg

2026-02-25 18:26:07 GMT

We bought our first family car, and I’m over the moon with it 🤍
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/116/132/673/204/756/275/original/81e0bf3f709306cd.jpeg

2026-02-13 13:20:31 GMT

My first week at team Retro 💼
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/116/063/523/784/998/381/original/b7353e63253057e9.jpeg

2026-01-29 21:00:32 GMT

I still think about when @npub16jd…rlnl launched the iOS version of Coda, and called it “Diet Coda”.

2026-01-27 22:26:15 GMT

https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/115/969/410/357/814/468/original/9d27625e92eb92c5.jpeg

2026-01-22 08:54:45 GMT

https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/115/937/907/882/344/318/original/22c5fe39082936cf.png

2026-01-20 10:05:45 GMT

Hand Mirror 4 is out now, you can take a Snap, draw on it, and save it to your Photo Library 📸
Here's some of my favorite UI details in a thread
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/115/926/862/451/537/743/original/afccb5c45a9ef14b.mp4

2026-01-09 21:10:47 GMT

Amsterdam was beautiful today ❄️
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/115/867/191/708/393/022/original/c27e101ee2e7ffa8.mp4

2026-01-09 15:29:20 GMT

I was born too late and never got to design a physical box for my software, so I did a fake one for the “What's new" window in Hand Mirror.
This update is almost ready, if you like to make videos or write about this stuff get in touch!
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/115/865/849/434/012/576/original/95621203a7f391dd.mp4

2026-01-08 16:20:32 GMT

After 3 great years, it’s time for me to wrap things up at Sketch and look for a new thing 👀

2026-01-05 12:25:05 GMT

We got snow here today
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/115/842/474/038/784/034/original/f86faf4d25ac223f.mp4

2026-01-04 21:44:25 GMT

Made some Ramen today and it gave me life 🍜. Ready to get back to work tomorrow.
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/115/839/012/595/233/087/original/b7607e1aa4267593.mp4

2025-12-17 17:39:28 GMT

Help, I accidentally made a new app
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/115/736/127/948/567/334/original/a15fb6d545b26220.jpeg

2025-11-18 10:41:13 GMT

I'm slowly working through some burn out, but managed to build a fun UI for Hand Mirror last night and now I'm getting excited to ship this 🕺
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/115/570/274/926/301/243/original/96c83e92783daaa8.mp4

2025-11-13 11:54:26 GMT

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there's just a lot of indie games and especially racing sims that are only on PC — so I've never had the chance to try them, and the idea of building a PC gaming is very unappealing to me. Maybe this is the answer?

2025-11-12 21:05:39 GMT

The new Steam hardware looks really good — I wonder what kind of games and experiences I’ve been missing by never owning a PC?

2025-11-01 10:52:26 GMT

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Final update on our Vader costumes… I’m scared for next year’s.
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/115/474/273/713/819/040/original/5b226c9fd9ae8aad.mp4

2025-10-31 21:26:18 GMT

Happy Halloween 🎃
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/115/470/891/328/114/073/original/edb1d94ddcbb6d9e.jpeg

2025-10-25 08:45:19 GMT

This is often overlooked, but I love how our team creates custom thumbnails for our Documents ✨
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/115/433/925/244/090/713/original/ebc95d83405f8d9d.png

2025-10-23 19:14:52 GMT

It was my son’s turn now… worked on his Halloween costume for the past week, and his giggles made it all worth it!
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/115/425/069/457/313/507/original/4bd03436b9ef7003.mp4

2025-10-21 06:57:22 GMT

Frank never misses
https://frankchimero.com/blog/2025/beyond-the-machine/

2025-10-20 14:10:00 GMT

We started working on this release long before WWDC, but rumors of a redesigned macOS were strong and we were ready for it — here’s some of the ways that we embraced and also pushed Apple’s new design language for @npub1tke…qgfm Copenhagen
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/115/406/890/385/443/722/original/f820a7de1edda5a7.png

2025-10-13 19:15:00 GMT

My son wants us to “be Darth Vader for Halloween”, so I’ve been working nights on our costumes and having the time of my life ❤️
Learning a ton, and got to work with my first Arduino board!
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/115/368/450/323/217/881/original/7cc24d9367f062c7.mp4

2025-09-18 15:20:06 GMT

We're working hard on big update here, but in the meantime you can free @npub1tke…qgfm from "squircle jail" by picking any alternate icon in Settings.
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/115/225/972/051/524/851/original/be52ef5ea2327693.mp4

2025-09-18 08:32:45 GMT

Do you ever feel so overwhelmed that you just have to restart your computer with “Reopen windows…” unchecked?

2025-09-15 15:27:14 GMT

It was fun to take a break from glass and recreate OS X Docks throughout the years.
https://mastodon.design/@Sketch/115208972714611333

2025-07-23 08:15:53 GMT

Does this run on my M1 Mac?
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/114/901/552/310/492/313/original/58b05a76890eb4e6.jpeg

2025-07-20 10:16:53 GMT

It’s coming together, instructions and maybe a video on how to build this coming soon.
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/114/885/041/079/231/461/original/176983b40d2342a0.jpeg

2025-07-18 09:34:39 GMT

What I feel like working on OS 26’s redesigns.
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/114/873/550/472/797/098/original/82fe917dd8a8a04f.jpeg

2025-07-14 18:48:19 GMT

Today I decided to open up my Opal Tadpole webcam, because I was curious to see how they managed to make it so small… and to my surprise the camera was not installed directly to the board, but with a cable instead!
💡 I don’t know if you know where I am going with this, but I was excited!
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/114/853/076/551/760/105/original/0153a4f14006d983.mp4

2025-06-30 13:01:53 GMT

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Roborock Qrevo Curv

2025-06-30 12:52:25 GMT

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this one does, up to 4cm steps. My bathrooms have this annoying little step, and after marking it on the app, the robot will warm up for a little jump.

2025-06-30 12:15:21 GMT

I’m still thinking about Raycast’s team reaction to WWDC and the sherlocking — do they see the hypocrisy in that they actively "sherlock" small indie utility apps constantly? They even brag and use it as part of their marketing.
https://bsky.app/profile/ped.ro/post/3lcuohhnvbk2w

2025-06-30 07:33:07 GMT

I know I’m incredibly late to this party… but now with two kids we finally got our first robot vacuum, and this thing is amazing! It even mops 🤯

2025-06-27 18:08:15 GMT

CHVRCHES are in Death Stranding 2 😍
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/114/756/661/499/017/051/original/af8976290fd00f79.jpeg

2025-06-27 10:21:56 GMT

Did you catch that, we shipped two new features in beta yesterday 👀
1. Concentric Corners (so satisfying)…
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/114/754/827/865/103/817/original/4b680cf2d3cc68db.mp4

2025-06-21 17:55:41 GMT

Made life size Lego “pool noodle” lightsabers for the birthday party, I’m making a note here: huge success ✨
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/114/722/632/868/180/206/original/b34c86d68a82749d.mp4

2025-06-20 22:13:01 GMT

My son asked for a “Star Destroyer cake” for his 4th birthday.
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/114/717/987/352/109/548/original/6cd08e6538ea6bb5.mp4

2025-06-16 17:04:17 GMT

If you're like me and are trying to study and inspect the new Liquid Glass effect, I've built a small utility app for you!
Test Liquid Glass with all the different options, tinting, sizes, and backgrounds — only for macOS Tahoe for obvious reasons.
💾https://rafa.design/glasshole
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/114/694/113/557/233/561/original/5eee8e27b27c4de9.mp4

2025-06-03 12:28:29 GMT

Here's some other details that I bet most won't ever notice, but (for the sake of my career) I hope some will _feel it_:
We've added subtle animations to some of our illustrations, like this background and shines, as well as some hover effects on the cards that accept a click (built with #SwiftUI)
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/114/619/430/034/010/494/original/5792ce973fbfb37e.mp4

2025-06-02 13:20:00 GMT

Did you spot the Easter Egg? There's a hidden dusty corner where you can find @npub1tke…qgfm's original icon, back from when it was still called DrawIt 🧓💛
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/114/613/970/276/335/184/original/bbbe37e7e6ab8590.mp4

2025-06-02 11:34:30 GMT

I did a YouTube ✨
This probably has a target audience of 3 people — a look at a Darth Vader lightsaber DIY kit… it gets nerdy.
https://youtu.be/ZpX6QGdcly4?si=p5YbcogSIczldQgu

2025-05-27 09:27:04 GMT

“Hey Siri, play My Chill Mix”
My 3 year old: “papa, it’s not just your chill mix, it’s also mama’s”.

2025-05-25 18:05:47 GMT

“So what kind of birthday party invitation do you want?”
“Darth Vader”
…
“Ok let me get the green screen…”
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/114/569/791/229/029/269/original/ac4d61ea3ef6f822.png

2025-05-20 13:58:26 GMT

If you see me at #WWDC and want one of these @npub1tke…qgfm pins/stickers/patches, come say hi 👋
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/114/540/511/403/648/748/original/dd21d7fac15ac9a8.jpeg

2025-05-04 13:57:07 GMT

I’m going to tell my son that these are the prequels #maythe4thbewithyou
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/114/449/908/544/115/226/original/4de37ed224ed70fb.mp4

2025-04-24 10:36:16 GMT

My AirPods Max's headband is all saggy and it's uncomfortable to wear, took it to the Apple Store and my options apparantely are:
1. Live with it;
2. Pay 189€ to replace the headband;
3. Pay 579€ for a new one;
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/114/392/495/987/667/821/original/39bd61a7d48e7962.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/114/392/496/338/462/081/original/0e9167567882c0d8.jpeg

2025-04-22 13:21:58 GMT

My sister is a brilliant architect who recently got bit by the programming bug and is now HOOKED — does anyone know who's hiring for a junior/internship role?

2025-04-18 14:35:45 GMT

I… I got the ticket? 🤯
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/114/359/464/168/240/287/original/9cea0b527b291e3c.jpeg

2025-04-04 08:56:00 GMT

I'm as nervous as everyone else about the imminent iOS and macOS redesign, but I am also excited for it — at least it's something fun and fresh in these difficult AI tech times ✨

2025-03-25 21:19:17 GMT

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… but I so desperately want and need to finally meet my internet friends in person!

2025-03-25 21:18:14 GMT

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And this year traveling to the US feels scary and dangerous… pretending to be excited about Apple Intelligence is making me depressed…

2025-03-25 21:13:18 GMT

For the past 16 years I’ve been dreaming about going to WWDC one day.
4 years ago I was finally able to somehow justify the costs and feel like I could go — never managed to get a ticket to the day.
This year is the first time that I am questioning if I still _want_ to go…

2025-03-15 15:45:39 GMT

Maturity is realizing that Bulbasaur is the best starter.

2025-02-20 16:44:27 GMT

This next @npub1tke…qgfm update is so massive that we have to build a new page and navigation just for the release notes
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/114/037/218/257/948/715/original/3ac4db55e6a93581.png
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/114/037/218/548/156/992/original/2153617f6cd1a820.png

2025-02-19 07:56:47 GMT

Found this gem for €20
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/114/029/479/495/535/265/original/d42413e3ec60e90f.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/114/029/480/164/169/564/original/a0b3e2608b62814a.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/114/029/481/415/413/081/original/6d9124ae238b6f68.jpeg

2025-01-30 04:44:03 GMT

Simpler times
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/113/915/477/267/306/197/original/1255de695afbeb89.jpeg

2025-01-25 12:02:30 GMT

Let’s all appreciate how good these first two episodes of #Severance are!
I was so nervous they’d ruin the show based on all of the production hell stories we were hearing 😮‍💨

2025-01-24 17:25:51 GMT

I’m struggling to figure out how to stay motivated and excited when it feels like the tech industry has sucked all of the fun and passion out… feels like the nerds and artists have been replaced with bros and hustlers.

2025-01-09 14:35:23 GMT

Back on parental leave, and I’ve been having some fun with F1 24’s career mode.
I 3D printed a F1 style rim for my Logitech G29 wheel, this is getting serious 😂 #3Dprint #f1
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/113/798/894/003/154/077/original/2904a7beae8a71ef.jpeg

2024-12-14 20:03:01 GMT

Still miss OS X Leopard’s 2D Spaces 💔
(screenshot by @npub1z98…le0l)
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/113/652/962/184/501/224/original/cf82e355772a89ec.png

2024-12-11 22:19:14 GMT

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🥹, that’s very kind of you!

2024-12-11 15:55:06 GMT

They asked if I could do a @npub1tke…qgfm 2024 recap video… and to “go crazy” (I hope they don’t regret it).
“Aren’t yearly recap videos like super boring?”
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/113/634/997/587/823/287/original/abc12c6c2fe18e35.mp4

2024-12-06 20:58:13 GMT

Seriously, getting a 3D printer was a mistake
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/113/607/835/292/009/915/original/06c4d10241b995dd.mp4

2024-12-05 21:33:36 GMT

Skeleton Crew was delightful!

2024-12-03 13:40:04 GMT

https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/113/589/170/985/792/335/original/a641c37eec525c6b.jpeg

2024-11-26 12:43:59 GMT

I got my 3D printer last Friday and I’ve been having a blast, and I’ve managed to build my first three humble “creations” 😇

2024-11-26 10:30:20 GMT

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just updated the website with the latest build 👀

2024-11-26 09:45:53 GMT

First time doing this, but for the rest of the week Hand Mirror+ is only $2.99 (50% off) — it's a one time purchase, so if you get it now you'll still get all future big features, including the upcoming Snaps 📸
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hand-mirror/id1502839586

2024-11-26 09:43:10 GMT

I just shipped an update to @npub1ng6…k0cy with a ton of performance and stability improvements, give it a go if you use this little dingus 🚀

2024-11-24 22:03:01 GMT

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Did not disappoint
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/113/540/165/911/055/895/original/7da729af01f6462e.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/113/540/166/770/663/791/original/9b560fee89634d72.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/113/540/187/481/684/375/original/2636006ad0dad3b2.jpeg
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/113/540/187/889/331/755/original/7004432d91164c88.jpeg

2024-11-22 10:43:52 GMT

Going to my very first comic-con with my son this weekend ✨

2024-11-21 20:25:54 GMT

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I am HONORED to see Hand Mirror in there, thank you Aral 🥹

2024-11-21 19:56:35 GMT

Almost two years ago I started charging for extra features on my app Hand Mirror.
I think the app would work quite well with a subscription, but I decided to risk a “Pay once, get updates forever. Price goes up with with every major update” — I’m surprised at how stable this has turned out! Maybe this could be useful data for fellow indies #indiedev #macOS
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/113/522/703/436/314/805/original/cd9624882d63c7dd.png
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/113/522/703/765/625/814/original/c0496330b03bbe12.png

2024-11-20 10:06:42 GMT

We've had Macs with a notch for over 3 years and macOS will still just _hide_ your menu bar icons if it runs out of space.
There's no visible truncation, no way to scroll, no way to even know that some icons are hidden — it's one of my most reported Hand Mirror “bugs” 🤯

2024-11-19 16:37:10 GMT

I lost. https://mastodon.design/@rafa/113494746594286727

2024-11-15 11:28:38 GMT

Working on a new feature for Hand Mirror 👀
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/113/486/732/151/455/589/original/11c07a5de7af4982.mp4

2024-11-11 17:10:28 GMT

Today I threw out all of my old Apple boxes… thoughts and prayers.

2024-11-05 08:56:57 GMT

Good luck America, we're all holding our breath ❤️

2024-10-29 08:09:18 GMT

This was a fun one to write: tried to come up with a subtle animation that would say “point your camera at this bit please” without actually saying it.
Built with #SwiftUI and live in a @npub1tke…qgfm Beta build near you 💎
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/113/389/689/516/958/201/original/cd613f370fcda5c7.mp4

2024-10-28 17:46:48 GMT

This will never get old 🥹🥰
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/113/386/298/049/217/478/original/e9ab3b0ca015d49f.jpeg

2024-10-10 15:16:49 GMT

TIL: MacBook speakers holes are not real holes 🕳️
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5rXx8D24B0

2024-09-30 20:37:23 GMT

https://www.sketch.com/blog/sketch-and-ai/

2024-09-28 19:26:48 GMT

Notification Summaries often times are just wrong, which means I can’t trust them, which means I always have to expand the notifications and read them anyways, which means I end up reading more than if I had them turned off…
So what’s the point of this? I’m not used to seeing Apple ship stuff that just doesn’t work… let alone put the whole company behind this technology.

2024-09-15 18:22:57 GMT

Hello internet, meet Ellie ❤️
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/113/142/960/792/258/506/original/4b8673c2dabfdbb7.jpeg

2024-09-10 11:13:58 GMT

I got to work on a new (in)side project, coming very soon 🎙️
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/113/112/962/374/423/754/original/8e1de41f630a4f10.mp4

2024-08-20 06:35:29 GMT

Alien Romulus was fantastic.
It felt a lot like The Force Awakens — after decades of crappy movies we finally get a good sequel that “got" what made the early movies great, with the only flaw being a bit too similar to the original (especially that sneaky _surprise_ 4th act that surprised no one).

2024-06-25 11:58:52 GMT

Well, that's one way to show window controls…
https://cdn.masto.host/mastodondesign/media_attachments/files/112/677/141/097/688/512/original/782b4f157fe7acf1.mp4

2024-05-08 12:44:17 GMT

Today I soldered some electronics… I feel invincible.