Johan Sho Villalba

Who I am

Hi, my name is Johan but you can call me Sho. I'm from Bogotá, Colombia (not Columbia), but I currently live in Cali—the world's salsa capital. I'm a designer by profession and have been working in digital products from a UX perspective for over 10 years. After all these years, I realize my career should've been in software development. I'm currently transitioning into Design Engineering.

For the past two years, I've been intensively exploring AI-powered tools, and when I discovered Cursor, there was no turning back. I'm passionate about design and technology, using Cursor for my personal projects and teaching my students how to get the most out of it. I've led UX communities across Latin America with 35,000+ followers, and now I have the great honor and responsibility of leading the Cursor community in Cali. This city has tremendous entrepreneurship and incredible professionals, and I know this community will benefit their growth and position Cali as a tech hub in Colombia.

At MercadoLibre, I'm part of the core team leading the Andes Design System, serving 1,000+ designers and developers across 18+ countries. But beyond corporate work, I'm deeply committed to education. For over five years, I've taught courses at different academies. Currently, I run my own education project where I've trained over 600 designers across Latin America in design systems and AI.

What drives me

I believe technology should democratize creation, not gatekeep it. Design systems aren't just component libraries—they're cultural artifacts that shape how teams collaborate and scale. Communities aren't networks—they're ecosystems where knowledge compounds and lifts entire regions. AI isn't replacing human creativity—it's amplifying our ability to turn ideas into reality. And education isn't about certifications—it's about multiplying impact through every person you empower. I've spent a decade building these beliefs into practice: leading design systems that serve thousands, growing communities that connect tens of thousands, teaching hundreds of designers, and now exploring how AI-powered development can unlock the builder in everyone. This isn't about following trends. It's about building infrastructure—technical, educational, and community—that enables others to build the future.

Professional Journey

Let's connect

If you're interested in talking about Design Systems, product leadership, community building, or just want to share ideas about how AI is transforming our industry, I'd love to connect.

Always open to collaborations, mentorship, and meeting people passionate about creating products that impact lives.