About E.B.

I am a full-stack product designer and leader with proven experience in mobile, web, desktop and devices software design. My background is eclectic – I started working in the field by running a national graphic design magazine website for IDG in San Francisco, while I was working on a masters degree in creative writing at SFSU. Leap to 2023 and I’m now working as lead and principle designer, as well as researcher and manager on projects that make a difference and save lives at Defense Digital Service (DDS) and the DoD.

For me a career in experience design is about staying true to my values, taking leaps and following my passion for innovation and learning as well as helping others. You can find out more about my newest design projects at erika-bauer.squarespace.com.

From 2007 to the present I’ve been designing and helping prototype interfaces and experiences for mobile software and devices as well as web. 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'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. I also worked as a product designer at Microsoft. My focus from 2016-2017 was the Groove streaming music app as well as a new DAW or music creation app. I was also on the Avatar team within Mixed Reality at Work (MRW), where 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 also worked with the Boeing Creative Services team on a company-wide, B2B e-commerce initiative -- creating design solutions for the future of super-size enterprise UX.

Today I’m proud to serve an important mission at DDS - Defense Digital Service and Chief Digitial and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO). I’m working as part of a rapid response team to digitally address some of the countries most pressing problems. As a lead on the team, I’m providing UX Design, Product Management, Strategy, and Research expertise for critical parts of our portfolio and helping improve technology for our country’s defense department and for military personnel.

In all my work, I’m passionate about creating and collaboration and connection. I love working on humanizing technology – new technologies that integrate themselves seamlessly into our lives, doing the research, and doing work that matters. I am engaged by really complex problems and solving them for real users.

When I am not ideating future tech and designing experiences, you can find me playing my vintage guitar and crafting songs or learning covers, enjoying live music, traveling, hiking in the Pacific Northwest, and celebrating with family and friends in California and Washington. You can check out my music on Apple Music or Spotify. A fun blues cover is also up on Soundcloud.

Testimonials from California colleagues & clients

“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)