How removing ambient friction makes room for user agency. Short notes on typography, spacing, and the ethics of default settings.
Low-Light Reader
A reading environment that reduces cognitive noise and enhances focus.
Xertes is an intentionally small digital studio focused on making calm, readable, and well-documented interfaces. We combine field research, design, and small pieces of code to shape tools that feel generous to their users.
We prefer interfaces that step back. Our work is inside the gap between function and poetry.
Sketch, prototype, test, write. Every project ships with notes so future selves can understand decisions.
A reading environment that reduces cognitive noise and enhances focus.
Tools to surface rare notes from long archives using lightweight tagging.
A tiny dashboard for monitoring ambient metrics across projects.
How removing ambient friction makes room for user agency. Short notes on typography, spacing, and the ethics of default settings.
A catalogue of patterns we return to when building micro-tools for daily workflows.
For collaborations, notes, or to share field research, reach out via the addresses below. We reply irregularly but thoughtfully.
Get periodic notes. We send 2–6 letters a year.