About E.B.

I am a digital designer with a volume of experience in mobile, web, desktop and device-software product design. My background is eclectic – I started working in the field by running a graphic design magazine's website for IDG in San Francisco, while pursued a masters degree in creative writing at SFSU and took classes from teachers like Francis Mayes (author of Under the Tuscan Sun). You can find out more about my newest design projects at erika-bauer.squarespace.com.

A career in experience design? It’s about creativity and following your passion, tapping into your investigative mind and asking questions, as well as laughter, coffee meet-ups with colleagues and mentors, deep diving to solve problems, supportive leadership and great teammates.

From 2007 to the present I have been designing and helping prototype user interfaces primarily for mobile software and devices. From 2007-2012 I worked on apps for Symbian and Android OS and consulted on early iOS application design in the Bay Area. I also worked as a design partner with the Android dev team on Sony Ericsson's Xperia Play. From 2010-2011 I was a member of the original team designing best-of-class NOOK reading tablet devices and apps in Silicon Valley.

Since 2012 I have been based in Seattle. I was a designer on the Kindle team through 2015 and also worked with the Community shopping team at Amazon in 2016. Most recently I've been working as a product designer at Microsoft. My focus from 2016-2017 was on the Groove streaming music app as well as a new music creation app. Most recently I’ve been a part of the Avatar team within Mixed Reality at Work (MRW). I investigated key use cases for avatars in mixed reality, as well as completed research and design evaluation for the new expressive Xbox avatars.

I am passionate about humanizing technology – new technologies that integrate themselves seamlessly into our lives, capitalize on our unique strengths, and amplify the best of human nature. I'm also optimistic about the future of content creation with help from AI systems. I have a lot of hope for the future of audio and theater experiences, reading and media, as well as integrating augmented and virtual realities into these experiences. I’m also interested in new avenues of content discovery with regards to context and location, and I’m fascinated by the proxemics of language, image, and devices in motion.

When I am not ideating future tech and designing experiences, you can find me playing my vintage guitar, crafting songs, enjoying live music, traveling, hiking in the Pacific Northwest, and working on a life in balance!

Testimonials from clients and colleagues

“Erika is the type of designer that software engineers would want to work with. Before executing any UI/UX idea, she always takes the time to understand the technical ramifications and what can be done to resolve these ramifications. Aside from having great design aesthetics and skills, she also takes the time to fully understand both the problem and the 'space' that she's targeting and this insight benefits everyone involved. As a bonus, she certainly has one of the more energetic and positive personalities of anyone I've had the pleasure to work with."
Christian Hresko, CEO, Senior Product Manager, Playstation (worked with Erika directly)

“Erika was an important founding member of the Nook design organization at B&N. She owned UX for key elements of Nook Color and Nook Simple Touch -- including Nook Color's magazine reader, which the New York Times called "amazing". Erika is a consummate design professional, and I especially appreciated her level-headedness, determination, and versatility throughout the process of creating great products."
Matt Pallakoff, Product Design Executive (managed Erika directly)

“I've worked for Erika on multiple projects and I recently contracted her to help refine the user experience for future versions of our Cooking Capsules application, our award winning mobile app currently on the Android Market. My experiences working with Erika over the years have been nothing but rewarding and positive. She possesses an unusual balance of creative, communication and technical skills and an unwavering work ethic. I recommend her without reservation."
Mary Ann Cotter, CEO, Smart Capsules, Inc. - Maker of Cooking Capsules

"Erika is an excellent, professional UX designer and a delight to have on the team. She easily flowed back and forth across projects (and platforms) while never missing a deadline. Her skill and attention to detail evident in all her work -- from IPhone concepts, Web UI design & production to larger mobile/web interfacing application design. She will be an asset to any company." 2009
Ronna Tannenbaum, Design Director, Kadoink (managed Erika directly)

"Erika's sense of style, work ethic and desire to succeed are some of her most outstanding qualities. During her tenure at Kadoink her work was outstanding. She was loved and respected by her team and her execution on UI and Graphics was flawless. I have no hesitation in recommending Erika to any organization in need of her significant talents.”
Mark Robinson, Vice President of Product Management , Kadoink (managed Erika directly)

“I have worked with Erika over the past year. She is very good at what she does -- User Interface / User Experience design and the art that goes with it. She created a pretty sophisticated UI / UE for a music service that Catalyst Mobile developed (both for Mobile and PC based products). Its been a pleasure working with her.”
Utpal Thakrar, Director of Product Management , Catalyst Mobile (worked with Erika)

“Erika was hired to redesign the web site for BIE (Buck Institute for Education) after a competitive RFP process. She transformed the site from being a dull brochureware to one that is visually appealing and highly interactive. Her superb design sensibility, great project management skills, and overall professionalism made her such a joy to work with.”
Julie Mai, Previous Web Manager, BIE

“Erika came to me highly recommended by colleagues in the PR industry. She did a truly superior job helping to develop an entirely new website design for my client. She combines excellent technical chops with a keen design sense, THE critical combo for effective website design. I recommend Erika unreservedly.”
Spencer Horowitz, PR Consultant, Technical Writer (prevoius client)

“Erika is positive and creative and worked hard to give us the design and features we needed in our website. I recommend her work highly.”
John Mergendoller, Previous Executive Director, Buck Institute for Education

“I worked with Erika on several projects, including a long-running one for the Buck Institute of Education. She was always extremely professional in her work and attitude, and was very popular with our clients. She always delivered work in a timely manner, and was very creative in the various options she would present to the client.”
Alan Early, Freelance Web Contractor (worked with Erika directly)