I'm a product designer and entrepreneur based in the San Francisco Bay Area. I earned a Master of Education in Learning Design, Innovation, and Technology from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and History from UCLA, with plans to complete an MBA at Stanford University.

At Chartmetric, I led innovative design initiatives that reshaped how the music industry leverages analytics, supporting minority artists and enhancing data-driven decision-making. My experience also includes impactful roles at Tesla and National Geographic, where I helped develop pioneering marketing strategies and campaigns.

As the co-founder of Memory Land and MindFuel, I'm passionate about creating digital experiences that promote emotional healing and resilience through trauma-informed mindfulness practices.

My journey to becoming a product designer has been shaped by education, curiosity, and personal discovery. I started by studying Communications at UCLA, initially aiming for a career in the entertainment industry. Through this experience, I developed a deep appreciation for storytelling, which became a central theme in my creative journey.

Over time, I realized that design is a powerful form of storytelling—one that can convey messages and evoke emotions in unique ways. This insight emerged through hands-on experimentation, from redesigning album covers to building music data apps from scratch. I found immense joy in the creative process, especially in its ability to share stories and inspire others.

Recognizing where my passions and skills aligned, I made a conscious decision to shift my focus to product design, specializing in UI and UX. To support this transition, I took the initiative to learn Figma, reinforcing my commitment to the field. My path wasn’t linear but an ongoing evolution, shaped by my growing understanding of how design creates meaningful experiences. This realization solidified my desire to pursue a career where I can continuously explore new ways to communicate and inspire through visual and interactive mediums.

Chartmetric is a music analytics platform that delivers in-depth data and insights to industry professionals. It helps artists, managers, labels, and other stakeholders make informed decisions about marketing, tour planning, and career growth.

By offering real-time, actionable insights, Chartmetric enables users to track market trends, discover emerging artists, and refine their promotional strategies. This data-driven approach helps create a more equitable music industry, giving both established and up-and-coming artists access to the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly digital and competitive landscape.

As the Product Design Lead at Chartmetric, I focus on improving existing features and designing innovative products that redefine music analytics. My role combines creativity and data visualization, allowing me to develop visually engaging and intuitive interfaces that transform complex artist and music data into clear, actionable insights. I enjoy experimenting with colors, typography, and visual elements to make data not only accessible but also engaging for our diverse user base.

Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, I ensure our designs are both aesthetically refined and highly functional. What excites me most is the real-world impact of my work—by creating user-centric designs, I empower industry professionals to make data-driven decisions that support emerging talent and promote diverse music.

My goal is to craft interfaces that don’t just present data but tell compelling stories that drive meaningful change. This role allows me to contribute to a more inclusive music industry while staying at the forefront of design innovation and technological advancements.

For me, design is about connecting the dots in unexpected ways—finding patterns in chaos and uncovering fresh solutions to familiar challenges. Creativity isn’t just about producing something new; it’s about creating something meaningful. It’s the ability to take existing ideas, concepts, or materials and combine them in ways that spark innovation or evoke emotion.

In design, creativity is about crafting experiences that are not only visually compelling but also solve real user problems. It’s about pushing boundaries while staying rooted in purpose. Creativity is both a skill and a mindset—it requires technical expertise, but also the willingness to experiment, fail, and try again. At its core, creativity is about transformation: turning blank canvases into art, complex data into intuitive interfaces, and ordinary moments into opportunities for discovery and delight.

I’m most drawn to designing user-centric, data-driven interfaces. There’s something incredibly satisfying about taking complex information and turning it into a visually engaging, easy-to-understand experience. I enjoy the challenge of making data feel intuitive—whether through clear visual hierarchies, interactive elements, or strategic use of color to guide the user’s focus.

It’s about bringing data to life, helping users uncover insights they might not have expected, and ultimately empowering them to make informed decisions. For me, the combination of creativity and problem-solving is what makes designing with data so fulfilling.

I see good design as a guide that leads users through a seamless, intuitive journey. It begins with understanding their needs and anticipating their next steps, striking a balance between aesthetics and functionality to create natural, enjoyable interactions.

It acts as a bridge between people and solutions—clear, intuitive, and inclusive for all. The best designs remain adaptable, evolving alongside user needs while always keeping them at the center of the experience.

My design style is human-centered and detail-driven. I prioritize the user experience, ensuring every design is accessible, intuitive, and enhances interaction with the product. I combine this user-first approach with a strong aesthetic sensibility, focusing on clean lines, cohesive color schemes, and purposeful typography.

This balance ensures that my designs are both functional and visually compelling. I also embrace innovation, experimenting with new layouts and technologies to keep my work fresh and forward-thinking. This approach allows me to create designs that are not only impactful but also lasting.

My design process starts with in-depth research to fully grasp the user’s needs and the problem at hand. This foundation guides the ideation phase, where I explore a range of innovative solutions. Next, I move into prototyping, refining ideas through iterative design and feedback.

In the final implementation phase, I carefully fine-tune every detail to ensure the design is both functional and visually engaging. This structured yet adaptable approach fosters creativity while ensuring the final product effectively meets user needs.

My cultural heritage has played a significant role in shaping my creative process. Growing up in China, I was immersed in a rich tapestry of history, culture, and architecture that deeply influenced my design sensibilities. My passion for design was sparked by my early exposure to the intricate beauty of Gothic architecture and the harmonious balance of Chinese gardens from the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

These experiences fostered my appreciation for the human connection embedded in architectural forms, inspiring me to weave cultural and historical elements into my work. This fusion of Eastern and Western influences has not only broadened my aesthetic perspective but also guides me in creating designs that are thoughtful, inclusive, and deeply resonant.

Receiving the 2024 NY Product Design Awards is a tremendous honor for both me and the team at Chartmetric. This recognition affirms our dedication to innovative design and highlights the collaborative spirit that drives our work. It reinforces our commitment to pushing the boundaries of design and analytics within the music industry.

For us, this award is a sign that our efforts to blend creativity with functionality are making an impact. It inspires us to keep innovating, striving for greater achievements, and advancing the future of music industry analytics.

Our entry for the 2024 NY Product Design Awards focuses on digitizing and optimizing the A&R process, a key component of talent discovery and development in the music industry. With the industry's shift toward digital platforms, our goal was to make this process more accessible to a wider range of stakeholders. As a designer, I tackled challenges in data visualization and information hierarchy, ensuring that insights were not only easy to interpret but also actionable for users.

Throughout the project, I prioritized user needs, striving to deliver a seamless and efficient experience. This work reflects a blend of technical expertise and user-centered design, aimed at improving and simplifying A&R operations.

The greatest challenge of this project was designing advanced data analytics features that catered to both industry experts and newcomers. Striking this balance required innovative data visualization and intuitive interface design to simplify complex information while preserving its depth and value.

Additionally, creating an inclusive platform that supports minority artists introduced further complexity, as it was essential to consider diverse needs and perspectives throughout the design process. Addressing these challenges involved thorough user research, continuous iteration, and close collaboration with stakeholders to refine features that effectively serve a broad range of users.

I see this win as the second major recognition of my design career and a milestone that reflects my growth over the past three years. This award has reinforced my determination to refine my design thinking and technical skills while strengthening my commitment to tackling meaningful challenges. It motivates me to keep exploring innovative solutions and to integrate humanity-centered design principles into everything I create.

My three favorite aspects of the design industry are its drive for innovation, its impact on user experience, and the diversity of perspectives it embraces. First, the industry is constantly evolving, pushing creative and technological boundaries to turn ideas into practical solutions that improve everyday life.

Second, its emphasis on user experience ensures that design is not just visually appealing but also deeply functional and emotionally engaging. Lastly, the diversity of thought—whether in problem-solving, creative approaches, or team dynamics—enhances the design process, leading to more inclusive and effective solutions.

China’s design industry stands out for its pioneering development of superapps—versatile platforms that integrate services such as messaging, social media, payments, and shopping into a seamless experience. This innovation reflects a cultural and technological emphasis on efficiency and integration, shaping the country’s creative landscape.

By consolidating multiple functions into a single ecosystem, superapps not only enhance user convenience but also drive a highly interactive and interconnected digital experience. As a designer, there’s much to learn from this approach, particularly in crafting complex yet intuitive designs that cater to diverse needs in a cohesive way. The ability to seamlessly merge various services offers valuable insights into creating digital products that are both functional and visually engaging on a global scale.

I believe generative AI will make design more accessible by lowering entry barriers and allowing more students to develop design skills with ease. However, this doesn’t mean there will be less demand for designers. Design thinking, as a problem-solving approach, and design as a profession will remain essential in addressing the challenges faced by societies, organizations, and individuals.

Take the leap before self-doubt holds you back. Many of us, myself included, have struggled with imposter syndrome, but it's important to remember that design is inherently subjective. In real-world scenarios, direct comparisons are rare, so focus on your unique perspective. Every designer has their own strengths and areas for growth—your experiences add value to your work.

When submitting to the NY Product Design Awards, present your best work with confidence. Believe in your creativity while staying open to feedback from mentors or peers to refine your submission. No matter the outcome, treat this as a learning experience and an opportunity to connect with a community of creative professionals. Participating alone is a meaningful step in your design journey. This award program is much more than winning—they're about challenging yourself and gaining visibility. So go for it—your vision deserves to be seen.

For those looking to grow in the design industry, one of the best learning resources is right in front of us—the apps we use every day. By analyzing how they create smooth, user-friendly interactions, we can gain valuable insights into intuitive design. However, observation alone isn’t enough.

Complement this with online courses from platforms like Coursera or Skillshare, stay informed through design blogs and podcasts, and get hands-on experience with industry-standard tools like Figma or Sketch.

Engage with the design community on Dribbble or Behance, take part in design challenges, and apply your skills to personal or volunteer projects. Reading classic design books, attending conferences when possible, and keeping up with industry trends will also help sharpen your expertise. Ultimately, improving as a designer isn’t just about absorbing information—it’s about applying what you learn, staying adaptable, and continuously refining your craft.

You can find a photo of me looking amazed on Adele’s Instagram. Just moments before it was taken, Kris Jenner, who was sitting behind me, jokingly asked if I was in a K-pop boyband.

Mariah Carey has been my biggest inspiration throughout my life. As a child, I aspired to follow in her footsteps, using music and songwriting to uplift and inspire others. While I love experimenting with R&B harmonies like she does, I’ve realized that design is my true medium—my own way of making a meaningful impact on the world.

Our key to success lies in curiosity and adaptability. I’ve always been driven by a sense of curiosity—constantly asking questions, exploring new ideas, and staying open to learning from every experience. Design, especially UX design, is about understanding people and the ever-changing world we live in. Staying curious keeps you in tune with users’ evolving needs and helps you anticipate where things are going.

But curiosity alone isn’t enough; it needs to be paired with adaptability. The design industry moves fast, with new tools, trends, and technologies emerging all the time. The ability to adapt and evolve—whether it’s learning a new skill, embracing a different perspective, or pivoting your approach—has been crucial for my growth as a designer. Flexibility is the key to navigating challenges and staying relevant.

As for parting words of wisdom: Don’t be afraid to fail. Some of my best ideas came after initial failures, and each setback taught me something valuable. In design, failure isn’t the end—it’s part of the creative process. Embrace the mistakes, learn from them, and use them to fuel your next iteration.

Lastly, always design with empathy. At the core of every successful design is a deep understanding of and connection to the user. Keep people at the center of your process, and your work will resonate on a much deeper level.