![A close-up photo of a llama with white and brown fur, standing inside a wooden barn with soft light filtering through.](https://images.okaydev.co/production/uploads/articles/interviewV1/15/5670/IMG_2075.jpg?w=900&h=1200&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1718766274&s=3887dd541c128b111b2fb043029d8587)
I live in Iowa, USA, approximately a four-hour drive west of Chicago. My wife and I run a small pick-your-own blueberry farm as a side business, where we also keep two llamas as pets and mascots. 😊 We have a 7‑year-old daughter and three indoor cats. In my free time, I enjoy experimenting with creating concrete sculptures using 3D-printed molds, with plans to enhance them with fiber optics.
What has being part of the Okay Dev community meant to you?
I’ve been on a lifelong journey, gradually realizing that I’m a creative developer. This journey has been challenging because the craft of “creative development” has often been downplayed and undervalued in my career. Being part of an industry-leading community of creative developers feels like emerging from a dark cave into bright, beautiful sunlight.
Additionally, I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge and now feel like I have a trusted place to turn to for questions and advice.
What got you interested in the web industry?
The openness of the web deeply appeals to me. I also love creating interactive digital art. Static digital designs don’t captivate me as much as those that respond to user input.
How did you learn your craft?
I earned a degree in Computer Science from the University of Iowa, but it didn’t teach me anything about being a creative developer. I gradually acquired my creative development skills throughout my career, picking up bits and pieces until I secured a position in a marketing department where I could fully practice my craft. I appreciate the vast amount of learning material available today; Frontend Masters and ThreeJS Journey have been instrumental in filling my knowledge gaps and expanding my expertise. Additionally, I credit GSAP for teaching me a lot about animation through its excellent documentation and APIs.
What was your first industry job like?
I consider my first creative dev job to be working in the marketing department for Cornerstone OnDemand (a talent management software company). I was the only dev who could seamlessly bridge the gap between design and development, and I had to advocate for the importance of CSS in our skill set and hiring process. 🤦♂️ I also had to handle a variety of tasks, which limited my focus on creative dev work. Now, at Shopify, I have the opportunity to dedicate much more time to creative development, and I love it. ❤️
What does a typical workday look like?
I begin each day with some new learning, not only because I enjoy mornings but also to ensure I make time for it. Additionally, 15 minutes of mindfulness each morning helps me calm my mind. Throughout the day, I make sure to step outside for a walk and reset my focus. I also use a standing desk with a treadmill underneath.
What’s on your desk?
I have an R2D2 figure, a Nintendo Duck Hunt shadow box, and a stylized portrait of my daughter and I playing Zelda.
![A workspace featuring a large wooden desk with a natural finish. On the desk, there are two monitors, one in landscape orientation and the other in portrait. A keyboard and mouse are placed in front of the monitors. To the left, there’s a microphone mounted on an adjustable arm and a small framed picture of a cartoon character. There are also various office supplies. On the right side of the desk, there is a framed photograph of a man and a child, along with a desk lamp, some electronic devices, and a box labeled “Built to Last.” The background includes a grey wall with some framed artwork and a window partially visible on the left.](https://images.okaydev.co/production/uploads/articles/interviewV1/15/5670/eric-johnson-workspace.jpg?w=1600&h=1040&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1719801119&s=38a2d281c5577be6e3eccf5e490126d5)
What are your go-to apps?
I use WebStorm as my IDE for coding, and I love it! While I occasionally try VS Code, I consistently encounter friction points that I don’t experience with WebStorm. Additionally, I find PixelSnap invaluable for measuring distances and fine-tuning my implementations in the browser.
What inspires you?
I love the moments during the coding process when an intermediate state results in a surprise animation.
Do you work best in silence, or do you prefer some background noise or music?
Silence! 🤫 Once in a while, I’ll crank up some 90s rock music, but after a couple of songs, I have to turn it off due to distraction.
Which project(s) are you most proud of?
Shopify Editions: Summer ’23 and Winter ’24.
![A screenshot of the Shopify Editions Summer ’23 webpage, featuring the slogan ‘Imagine My Future’ with colorful graphics, and sections highlighting AI-enabled commerce tools like Sidekick and Shopify Magic against a black background.](https://images.okaydev.co/production/uploads/articles/interviewV1/15/5670/07-03-83uxm-eakca.jpg?w=1600&h=889&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1718766281&s=626060d0691b8ad776321d5ad065f10f)
![A screenshot of the Shopify Editions Winter ’24 webpage showcasing new foundational product updates, featuring floating images of a presenter, image stack with silver boots, a helmet product color selector UI, website content UI editor, stars, coins, and a kiosk.](https://images.okaydev.co/production/uploads/articles/interviewV1/15/5670/07-08-4tdnk-neq40.jpg?w=1600&h=886&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1718766279&s=5ae963cf75790e4155583811426566c9)
What’s your perspective on AI, and have you integrated it into your workflow?
I love the UX AI offers, but I abhor the incorrect information it provides sometimes. I think it needs to be regulated big time and monitored to ensure it has a positive impact on society.
Are there any technologies or tools that you’re excited to explore more?
WebGL and ThreeJS!
Any advice for aspiring creatives?
Find a community or start one; there are others out there like you!
![Eric wearing a curly brown-haired wig, a checkered blazer, and a colorful bow tie, holding a Garfield plush toy, standing in a brightly lit room with framed artwork in the background.](https://images.okaydev.co/production/uploads/articles/interviewV1/15/5670/IMG_7629.jpg?w=1600&h=1200&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1718766288&s=7805db25ee8a2cc34096783c0a70deae)