Eric Li on building Scratch with AI and the case for thoughtfully crafted software

Interviewed in April 2026. This conversation has been edited for clarity and brevity. west & ease is a space for conversations with creatives, insights on design, and the moments that bring community to life. I’m Leslie Luo, and I’ve always been fascinated by how we interpret the world. And west & ease is where I explore that through conversations, design, and community.Today I’m talking with Eric Li, a self-taught designer, developer, and co-founder of Versive, a YC-backed AI user research platform. Eric started his career in investment banking, then made a deliberate pivot into product, designing at Bread as their first designer, at Uber Eats, and leading product and design at Vareto before starting his own company, Versive.Recently, he built Scratch, a free open-source markdown notes app, all in a weekend using AI coding agents and watched it blow up on GitHub, LinkedIn, and Twitter. We get into his actual workflow with Claude Code. Why design taste is still the hard part, even when AI can ship working software in minutes, and what building in public looks like when you’re already running a company. To learn more about Eric and his work, visit www.ericli.io or follow him on Linkedin and Twitter.You can also read our first conversation, where Eric shares more about his creative journey.west & ease is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.west & ease is part of & luo studio, where I do fractional design consulting, design coaching, and host creative community events. If you’re a brand, team, or creative partner interested in collaborating, I’d love to connect. You can learn more and reach out at www.andluo.studio.CreditsMusic by lsaudio from Pixabay This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.westandease.com/subscribe