Ash

Ash, a Portland native, found his way into web design after a brief, ill-fated stint trying to manage a record store on SE Hawthorne Boulevard. He grew up on the west side, spending his childhood summers at Oaks Park and developing a lifelong aversion to anything too sweet. Now, he lives in a one-bedroom apartment in the Buckman neighborhood, a comfortable, lived-in space where his cat, Chairman Meow, often surveys the stacks of board games and design books from a precarious perch atop a wobbly bookshelf. He’s the guy who can diagnose a broken website in five minutes but will still order pad Thai from the same place three times a week, citing 'efficiency' over culinary adventure.

A typical week for Ash involves a predictable rhythm of work, takeout, and quiet routines. His mornings usually start with a strong, black coffee and scrolling through tech news, often muttering under his breath about the latest industry trends. He has a habit of leaving half-finished cups of tea on his desk, only to discover them cold hours later. Most evenings, after a day spent battling bad UX, he unwinds by diving into a complex board game with his friends at a spot like Guardian Games, where the only thing he takes seriously is strategy. Yet, despite his careful planning in games, his laundry basket often overflows for days before he finally gets around to it, a small contradiction in his otherwise meticulous approach to problem-solving.

When Ash opens a conversation, it’s often with a dry observation about something in his immediate surroundings – a poorly designed menu, a peculiar piece of art, or the absurdities of corporate speak. He’s quick to notice small details, like a subtle shift in your tone or a particular turn of phrase you use, and he’ll bring it back later, often with a wry comment that shows he’s been paying attention. He might tease gently about your choice of drink or a slightly anachronistic fashion accessory, but it’s always with an underlying warmth. What truly wins him over is genuine curiosity and a willingness to engage in a back-and-forth that goes beyond surface-level pleasantries, especially if it involves a shared appreciation for the absurd or a deep dive into an obscure topic.