I’ve always loved the Internet. Growing up, I spent hours on the family computer, playing Webkinz and Club Penguin and diving into worlds full of saturated reds, yellows and blues. Wacky popups, clunky animations, and rich content made browsing the web feel exciting and chaotic, like I was spelunking a digital cave that constantly thwarted my expectations.

I never thought that my love for the digital world could manifest into a career. In 2018, I left Minnesota to pursue chemical engineering at the University of Washington, thinking that following my dad’s footsteps was the most sensible. But when I began taking intro courses in web design, circuits, and physical prototyping, my attitude toward school shifted. I felt like a kid again — the same one who felt curious and inspired while building Lego towers and playing silly internet games, and always wondered, What can I make next? I wanted to somehow shape my career around this feeling. Then I discovered UW’s Human Centered Design and Engineering program and enrolled soon after. My passion for digital creativity was now backed by a curriculum in user-centric design and research, and I was excited to jump into the emerging industry of User Experience.

Now, after years in the profession, I’ve learned the importance of maintaining that creativity. As a UX designer, it’s my job to understand what users are bringing to the table: goals, expectations, and frustrations, to name a few. This has culminated into a rulebook — a standard of practices that my work abides by. It grounds me in the users’ perspective, guiding me to design with clarity, accessibility, and usability at the forefront. However, it’s also equally important to think outside the norms we’ve defined. Breaking the rules allows us to not only think of new solutions, but to keep us designers inspired. Balancing convention and creativity is what allows me to engineer quality experiences.

I have been playing the piano for as long as I can remember. What began as a childhood hobby turned into over seven years of state and national competitions and a lifelong commitment. Today, I frequent the Seattle Symphony and continue to play piano leisurely, cycling through old pieces and occasionally trying new. What was once rigorous and competitive is now therapeutic.

My mother used to say music was my “sport,” but I’ve learned to love real outdoor recreation, too. You can often find me open-water swimming in the Puget Sound or playing beach volleyball in the summertime. I took my first outdoor bouldering trip last summer since starting the hobby four years ago at a gym in the city. And in the winter, I spend many weekends skiing with friends and hiking the local mountains.

I also like to  lean into my creative side as a writer. I dabble at crossword-making, with the dream that one day I’ll get published in the Games section of the New York Times. I also run a satirical newspaper, where writing and editing has become one of my favorite ways to express myself and unwind in my free time.