05/25/2026
Before starting the studio, I spent 20 years working in industrial reliability and systems maintenance—focused on keeping large-scale technical systems stable, predictable, and functional.
In the years leading up to DerpLife, my wife and I made a deliberate decision to leave city life behind and start over somewhere quieter, eventually settling in a small home near the edge of a local state forest. The goal was simple: space, calm, and a safer environment for our cat, Levin.
That shift in environment became a turning point.
Shortly after moving, I discovered home lab systems and returned to formal study in computer science. What began as curiosity quickly evolved into a full shift in direction—moving from maintaining industrial systems to designing software systems that support people directly.
Alongside this transition, I began to better understand how I processes information. I have ADD (non-hyperactive presentation) and dysgraphia, which had long influenced how I think, learn, and organizes complex tasks. Recognizing this helped shape a new approach to building systems—focused on reducing cognitive friction rather than adding structure for its own sake.
This led to the beginning of DerpLife: an effort to build the kinds of tools I wished I had when struggling with focus, clarity, and ex*****on.
Today, I continue to develop DerpLife with the support of my wife, who helps maintain design quality and provide grounding feedback throughout the process. Levin, their late friend, remains a quiet but constant presence in the story—symbolizing the sense of calm and stability that underpins the studio's philosophy.
