Hiya, I’m Eric — a designer, strategist, and voracious music lover currently living and working in the Chicago metropolitan area. I help teams build (and break) digital products and experiences with a focus on quietly improving people’s lives, one thoughtful interaction at a time.
Trust me, I’m no expert.
The world doesn’t need any more thought leaders, gurus, or theoretical purists. We need more amateurs — those eager to playfully explore both new and well-worn paths with curiosity, kindness, and a willingness to be the carefree fool. For “nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.” 2
I’ve spent over 20 years as a professional amateur. That’s a long time experimenting and appreciating the beauty, connection, and unpredictability that makes us human — beyond algorithms, analytics, and the latest trends. I believe in people before profit, and our shared need to learn, teach … and just tell good stories.
These are the things currently occupying my attention.
A blog? Kinda … maybe, not really. Either way, please enjoy some intermittent musings on design, music (a lot of music), tech, and other tangentially related things. Some of it might even make you laugh.
As of late, I’m revisiting my favorite Loscil albums (specifically, First Narrows, Plume, and Endless Falls), reading Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower, and watching Murderbot on Apple TV+.
Album of the Week: Sister by Ultraísta
I had high hopes for the latest from Rival Consoles, and, as expected, it’s certainly enjoyable … but a pretty safe set of tracks overall. However, a nice benefit of the relatively quiet early summer release schedule is that I’m spending more time with some longtime favorites.
Ultraísta are usually described as a super-group of sorts, with producer Nigel Godrich, best known for his long-running collaboration with Radiohead, cooking up an electronic-acoustic hybrid with Beck and REM’s live drummer Joey Waronker. But the differentiating factor for me is the wispy electro-pop voice of Laura Bettinson, best known for her work as Femme and Dimbleby & Capper.
Kicking off their second album, Sister, “Tin King” showcases Bettinson’s remarkable range. She enters a trance-like state, repeatedly hammering a single note as Godrich and Waronker build a crescendo with cascading funk bass, hi-hats, rim-clicks, and gliding synths. In the chorus, she transitions into a soothing R&B croon. On the buzzing (#sorry) “Bumblebees,” Godrich – who assembled the material from a series of improvisations – skillfully flips Waronker’s drums on top of themselves, continuously shifting the downbeat over a rumbling bass. Each and every track is part of a unique yet entirely cohesive musical experience.
It’s rare that an album captivates me so with both its groove and its melody, and I’m often surprised that this album doesn’t get more attention.
If you only listen to one song, try “Mariella.”
Ultraísta
Be strange, but don’t be a stranger.
I’m not on social media much. It wasn’t always this way, but nowadays I mostly rely on good ol’ RSS and a few exceptional newsletters to keep me informed and entertained. Quality over quantity, always.
Reach out anytime if you’d like to ask a question, share a recommendation, or hear about my latest Bandcamp Friday spending spree. 3