Acquisitive Doer.

I studied graphic design in China, illustration in the UK, and interaction design in Australia — three countries, three disciplines, three very different ways of thinking. That cross-cultural foundation shaped how I approach design today: with empathy for diverse perspectives and the ability to communicate across cultures and teams.

Along the way, I freelanced extensively — helping small and medium businesses with branding, websites, and apps. That taught me how to manage fast-paced projects, wear multiple hats, and deliver under pressure. After graduating, I joined a startup and spent a couple of years shipping products across different industries — a hands-on crash course in building from zero.

A few years into my design career, I developed a strong curiosity about the development side. That led me to pursue a Master's in Computer Science. It gave me the ability to actually build things — not just design them. Looking back, I'm incredibly grateful I took that step. It helps me understand AI and emerging tech at a deeper level and lets me get hands-on effectively when learning new tools and frameworks today.

I stepped into product design to think end-to-end — from initiating the idea, through user research and testing, to defining metrics, pitching stakeholders, launching, and iterating based on real data. In the gambling and e-commerce industries, every design decision had to be validated, measured, and defended.

I often spot opportunities to improve things beyond my immediate scope. Whether it's a workflow bottleneck, a broken handoff, or an untapped user need — I propose solutions, build the case, and make them happen. It's not just about shipping features; it's about improving overall productivity for the team.

As someone who both codes and designs, I bridge the gap between vision and implementation. I prototype in code, contribute to design systems, and speak the language of engineers — so design intent doesn't get lost in translation. I also think about the business behind every decision — what customers need, how the product drives growth, and which metrics matter.

Looking back, every chapter — graphic design, illustration, interaction design, computer science, freelancing, startups, enterprise — shaped how I think today. I didn't plan it, but all of these experiences connected the dots into something bigger than any single discipline.

My design philosophy is simple: great products come from people who understand design, technology, and business — not just one in isolation. I can design a user experience, build it in code, and defend it with a business case. That range isn't common, and it's what makes the work I do more effective.

In the era of AI agents and large language models, this cross-disciplinary thinking matters more than ever. The people who will thrive are those who can connect knowledge across domains — who understand enough about design, engineering, and strategy to orchestrate AI as a multiplier, not just a tool. That's the direction I'm heading, and it's what I encourage in every person I mentor.

This philosophy drives how I develop my own skill sets, how I approach every project, and how I influence the people around me. It's not about being a specialist or a generalist — it's about being acquisitive enough to learn deeply across areas, and then having the ability to connect them into something that actually ships.