Recent projects
Simple doesn’t mean cheap, cheesy or plain. Simple means putting the visitor ahead of the client — and sometimes that’s not so easy. At Ern Berck Digital we build elegant websites that are intuitive, fast and a breeze to manage.
The problem
When the web began to conquer the world in the 1990s, graphic designers started migrating from paper to pixels. The browser window — like the paper page before it — was treated as a known constraint upon which designers imposed their will.
But there’s a big problem with this approach. Whereas a piece of paper has fixed dimensions, a browser window could be any size. There’s no way for a web designer to know in advance what size any particular person’s browser window will be.
The solution
In April 2010 web designer Ethan Marcotte proposed a solution he borrowed from the world of architecture: Responsive design. He suggested that maybe websites could change and adapt according to the needs of the user’s internet device.
This approach has been adopted by most web designers, and it’s been standard practice for many years. We’ve expanded on this concept to include an incremental approach to programming called progressive enhancement. It typically has three steps:
- Identify required core functionality.
- Make that functionality available using the simplest possible technology.
- Layer on additional features and functionality that can be used by more advanced devices.
The benefit of using progressive enhancement is a more powerful website that can better react to unexpected circumstances — Like weird browsers, clumsy thumbs, flaky network connections, and obsolete internet devices.
Some of our work
We build complex systems that work on dinky screens.
SLR Moss
Slrmoss.com is currently being developed as a showcase for the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss road car that was produced in 2009. To appeal to collectors, dealers and auction houses, the site was designed specifically for widescreen desktop displays. However, it also features a progressive web application (PWA) core for easy access on any device — Online or off. The site is in not affiliated with, or endorsed by, Mercedes-Benz or McLaren Automotive.
Goals
- Provide a showcase for the SLR Moss road car
- Document the car’s history and development
- Create an archive of photos, videos and illustrations
- Aggregate SLR Moss news and press releases
- Make mobile responsive and accessible
- Easy to manage and update
Details
- Extensive use of image galleries
- Server-side page caching solution
- SSL and HTTP/2 enabled
- Automated daily backup system
- Full progressive web application (PWA) functionality
- Custom email processing and site-wide search

Egan Electric
Egan Electric is a professional electrical contractor working with developers, homeowners, and business owners in Northern California since 1991. They offer a diverse selection of electrical services, and have extensive experience with residential and commercial construction. They install and maintain lighting control, home automation systems, and solar arrays.
Goals
- Conform to new Google Core Web Vitals
- Boost overall page load speed
- Improve performance on mobile
- Increase number of online leads
- Improve navigation and usability
- Enhance search engine rankings
- Add more useful and relevant content
Details
- WordPress content management system (CMS)
- SSL and HTTP/2 enabled
- Nginx web server with EverCache architecture
- Complies with accessibility standards
- Mobile responsive with progressive enhancement

The Core
Founded in October 2007, The Core is an independent physical fitness center based in Chico, California. The gym offers a fast-paced mix of body weight, cardiovascular, and weight training exercises. The new Core website combines grayscale imagery with assertive typography and bold calls to action — All delivered with a bit of attitude.
Goals
- Migrate site from Wix to WordPress
- Maintain active email servers
- Develop site architecture and navigation
- Add more credibility and authority to thin content
- Feature employees and customers
- Increase online leads
Details
- Complete re-writing of all page content
- Addition of staff biography page
- Unique “trending” feature to highlight daily workouts
- Developed custom contact form with robust processing
- Grayscale graphics and images
- SSL and HTTP/2 enabled
- Nginx web server with EverCache architecture

Network Mortgage
Network Mortgage is an independent residential mortgage broker located in Chico, California. They’ve been helping folks finance their homes for over 20 years. They love what they do — and it shows.
Goals
- Develop new website on WordPress platform
- Migrate site to managed WordPress hosting
- Add blog component for regular rate and product articles
- Improve Google page rankings
- Integrate with active social media channels
- Increase inquiries and leads from online forms
- Improve site architecture
Details
- Built on Genesis Framework
- Offers custom content that is regularly updated
- Uses advanced contact and quote forms
- Integrated transactional email service
- Utilizes Cloudflare nameservers
- Custom SVG logos and icons
- Images sourced from royalty-free photo archives

BMW Art Cars
Since 1975, 19 international artists have created BMW Art Cars. The collection began when French race car driver and art aficionado Hervé Poulain, in collaboration with BMW Motorsport Director Jochen Neerpasch, asked his artist friend Alexander Calder to design a car. The site is not affiliated with BMW.
Goals
- Provide a showcase for client’s fondness for BMWs
- Document history of BMW Art Cars
- Create archive of BMW Art Car photographs
- Aggregate BMW Art Car news and press releases
- Make mobile responsive and accessible
- Easy to manage and update
Details
- Extensive use of image galleries
- Server-side page caching solution
- SSL and HTTP/2 enabled
- Automated daily backup system
- Utilizes content delivery network (CDN)
- Custom transactional email processing

Mittenmaier
Robert Mittenmaier is an American artist who paints with acrylic on Masonite. A master at capturing every aspect of a scene, his work includes early American race cars, vintage Ferraris, and street scenes in his hometown of Murphys, California.
Goals
- Remove old and outdated pages
- Improve image quality
- Improve performance on mobile
- Eliminate shopping cart functionality
- Improve navigation and usability
- Enhance search engine rankings
- Add more focused and relevant content
Details
- Cloudflare DNS nameservers
- Custom SVG logos and icons
- Custom tiled image galleries
- SSL and HTTP/2 enabled
- Nginx web server with EverCache architecture

Practical knowledge matters.
Experienced designers cost more. And experience rarely means programming skills. It means a broad understanding of the Web and how people use it. Reducing complex systems into simple interfaces that work on dinky screens is a skill that improves with practice.