I'm Erik.
I design amazing experiences and help the people around me do their best work.
My journey into user experience began with a passion for giving people time back so they can focus on what matters most. For as long as I can remember, I've been captivated by the power of good design and its impact on people's lives.
See my work
A rich history of experience and results
I make complex B2B products impossibly simple. Over 20 years, I've designed solutions that cut manual work by 87%, reduced customer support time by 65%, tripled daily sign-ups, increased annual recurring revenue by 15%, and delivered designs that secured millions in funding.
My superpower is listening: truly understanding how people work so I can design experiences that feel effortless. I'm energized by taking the most frustrating software and transforming it through deep empathy and rapid iteration.
My work has reached millions of people across many platforms. Whether I'm mentoring designers, presenting to executives, or conducting user interviews, I focus on one thing: making work feel less like work.
Design-driven leadership and deep collaboration
The best products are built by teams that balance user needs with business objectives. No single discipline (Product, Design, Engineering or the business) stands alone. We collaborate to create solutions that delight users and deliver measurable business impact, working toward shared goals and outcomes.
I've led teams and initiatives without ever stepping out of the design work. Today, as a principal designer, I lead through influence: aligning teams around the problem, setting standards other teams adopt, and staying hands-on in the work itself.
Mentoring
I help designers grow and move forward in their careers, through one-on-one mentoring, critique and the conversations on The Design Block.
Companies I've worked with
Getting the balance right
My life outside of work is filled with craft, hobbies and joy, all of which feed back into the creativity and purpose of my work.
Family and life
Before anything else, I'm a dad. My two kids have taught me more than I could have ever expected. The love I have for these two humans is boundless and unconditional. Watching and guiding them through life and witnessing them become incredible humans is what I'll always be most proud of.
Fun and hobbies
I love being outdoors and cycling. I also can't stay away from technology, design and UX, even when I'm not at work. My hobbies include cycling, photography, videography, and building and flying drones. I'm an anime nerd, and I enjoy assembling Gunpla models.
From people I've worked with
“Working with Erik is fun and exciting. He makes the people around him better at what they do. He knows how to balance company needs while delivering great products to customers.”
Craig MaltonSenior Engineering Manager, Wayfair“I loved working with Erik (and can’t wait to work with him again) because he is an imaginative, bold and collaborative leader! He’s a rare gem for any team to have.”
Akash MukherjeeVP of Product, ChartmetricLet's talk
Hiring for a senior design role, putting together a panel, or want to compare notes? I'm glad to hear from you.