Author photoMichal Dohnal

Hi, I’m Michal, a passionate Frontend Developer with a strong background in React, TypeScript, and modern web technologies. My programming journey began in elementary school when my father gave me a book titled"Tvorba WWW stránek pro úplné začátečníky" (Creating Websites for Complete Beginners). It not only introduced me to the basics of web development but also deepened my fascination with computers and the endless possibilities of programming. Combined with my love for video games, this early experience solidified my dream of becoming a programmer.

I built a strong foundation in programming and technology at the Secondary Technical School Purkyňova, where I specialized in Graphics and Web Design during my later years. After graduating, I pursued Informatics at Masaryk University, completing coursework in Python, Haskell, and C programming. During this time, I gained hands-on experience through an internship at IBM, where I contributed to building components for internal dashboards and further solidified my programming fundamentals.

My professional career began with part-time React development while still in university. Eventually, I transitioned to full-time frontend development, collaborating on diverse projects like online map editing tools, Progressive Web Apps, and insurance web forms. Along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to work with various companies, including MapTiler, Direct Pojišťovna, and InQool, where I focused on delivering practical solutions and improving user experiences.

Beyond coding, I’m a dedicated home barista, a former national-level rower who transitioned to amateur bodybuilding and later to powerlifting, a motorcycle enthusiast currently riding a Kawasaki Ninja 650, and a travel lover. These passions shape my attention to detail, perseverance, and creativity – qualities I bring to both my personal and professional life.

What I've been up to:

2025

JavaScript & React Lecturer at Coders Lab

Delivering interactive lectures and workshops on frontend development, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript (ES6+), and React. Providing personalized feedback and code reviews to help students develop good habits, efficient coding techniques, and a solid grasp of industry-standard practices.

2024–Present

Frontend Developer at Direct Pojišťovna

Developing interactive web forms for insurance applications using React, Next.js, and Tailwind CSS. Introduced coding conventions, significantly improving code quality and maintainability.

2022–2024

Frontend Developer at MapTiler

Contributed to the development of an online map editing tool and a Progressive Web App for map previews. Focused on enhancing user experience and implementing robust testing strategies with Cypress.

2021–2022

Frontend Developer at InQool

Worked on several projects for clients such as Telekom SK and Národní knihovna ČR, using React, TypeScript, and Tailwind CSS. Introduced end-to-end testing strategies to improve code reliability.

2022

Transition to Full-Time Web Development

Left university after three semesters to pursue a full-time career in web development.

2021

Started Part-Time as a React Developer

Began working part-time as a React Developer while studying at university, strengthening my skills in frontend development.

2020–2021

Internship at IBM

Helped develop components for an internal dashboard application using Angular, gaining hands-on experience in frontend development.

2020

Started University — Masaryk University

Studied Informatics, learning Python, C, and Haskell, along with computer science fundamentals such as data structures and algorithms.

2016–2020

Secondary Technical School

Studied Informatics and later specialized in graphics and web design, building a strong foundation in computers and programming.

2013–2014

The Spark ✨

Discovered coding through the book "Tvorba WWW stránek pro úplné začátečníky" (Creating Websites for Complete Beginners), which sparked my interest in web development.