We collaborate to change lives, using design to support people and communities when they need it the most.
Mission-driven work is rarely simple. Healthcare advocates, legal teams, educators, and civic technologists navigate systems that resist clean answers. The individuals, families, and communities they serve deserve tools that work when everything else feels uncertain.
We design for those moments. Not because it's a niche, but because it's where design actually matters.
Clarity beats cleverness; if a user has to decode it, the design failed.
Decisions backed by people we talked to, not personas we invented.
Built for the next decade of the work, not the next funding cycle.
We tell you what we can do, what we cannot, and what nobody can yet.
We focus on building products that feel steady and humane when they are needed most. We get there by learning what matters to the people involved, shaping it into experiences that support what they value, and letting technology earn its place rather than lead.
Before anything gets built, we get clear on the people you serve and what stands in their way. Then we map the path forward so your whole team can see where care and effort will matter most.
We design and build the actual product, the kind that holds up when someone is relying on it during a hard moment. Real tools for real use, not just something that looks good in a demo.
We bring AI in where it genuinely helps you do more for the people you serve, and leave it out where it does not. Useful, never gratuitous.
Eric Smallwood is one of the most effective and impactful leaders I've had the privilege of working with. His intelligence, communication skills, and high-agency nature are exceptional. He excels at breaking down complex problems and transforming them into clear, actionable solutions that consistently deliver outstanding results.Leigh Brett
He's highly collaborative and consistently helps teams align around a shared vision, even when projects span multiple domains. His approach to leading design reviews and navigating complex product requirements is both patient and insightful. He listens carefully, offers clear feedback, and empowers his team to deliver their best work.Nouisha Zadeh
In times of uncertainty or ambiguity, Eric was always there to offer guidance and reassurance. His keen eye for detail and passion for user-centered design made him an invaluable partner, but what sets him apart is his unwavering dedication to doing what's right, even when it's difficult. If you're looking for a leader who embodies empathy, integrity, and a deep understanding of human dynamics, look no further!Natasha Bauer
Founder & Principal Designer
Eric leads design and strategy, drawing on two decades guiding teams through complex, high stakes work across healthcare, civic tech, and education. The goal never changes: tools people can actually trust when it matters most.
Design & Research Partner
Salvo partners on research and delivery, turning messy realities into clear, durable products. The work stays grounded in the people it serves, never in assumptions about them.
Tell us about your work, the people it serves, and what you are trying to change. We reply within two business days.
Based in Baltimore · Open to new partnerships.
