top of page
Hey!
I'm Christie, a Product Design Generalist based in the Bay Area 🌉
With over 5 years in design, I've operated at the crossroads of architecture, strategy, and equitable accessibility. Currently focused on Design and Strategy.
My experiences in public architectural projects, social impact UX work, and my multicultural heritage shape my perspective as both a designer and an individual.
1991 - 2010 | Origin Story
Born in Seoul, moved to Tokyo, and finally settled in Singapore where I attended grade school.
It's been a long journey – both personally and professionally – filled with ups and downs.
Ultimately, it gave me the ability to empathize across cultures and perspectives.
It's been a long journey – both personally and professionally – filled with ups and downs.
Ultimately, it gave me the ability to empathize across cultures and perspectives.
2010 - 2015 | B.Arch
The architecture program at USC not only taught me the design foundations that I still carry with me today, but it also taught me how to be a self-sufficient woman.
From this experience, "designers are problem solvers" became a guiding principle.
From this experience, "designers are problem solvers" became a guiding principle.
2014 - 2016 | Career Beginnings
My professional journey started at an interior design startup, then a boutique architecture firm, which were marked by both eagerness and caution.
Early on, I co-led a custom wall installation in Downtown LA for a then-trendy online fashion brand. This project tasked my design partner and me with everything from conceptual design to budgeting, sourcing, prototyping, and the physical installation.
We made plenty of mistakes in the process — misjudged budgets, design and logistical oversights, and general lack of foresight, typical of early career phases.
Fortunately, our mentors provided a balanced offering of empathy and firm guidance, allowing us to learn from our errors and come up with solutions on our own.
My biggest learnings ended up being the value of transparent communication with your teammates, vendors, and clients, and the necessity of resilience in the face of challenges.
Early on, I co-led a custom wall installation in Downtown LA for a then-trendy online fashion brand. This project tasked my design partner and me with everything from conceptual design to budgeting, sourcing, prototyping, and the physical installation.
We made plenty of mistakes in the process — misjudged budgets, design and logistical oversights, and general lack of foresight, typical of early career phases.
Fortunately, our mentors provided a balanced offering of empathy and firm guidance, allowing us to learn from our errors and come up with solutions on our own.
My biggest learnings ended up being the value of transparent communication with your teammates, vendors, and clients, and the necessity of resilience in the face of challenges.
2017-2020 | Finding My Groove
After over six years abroad, I longed for home and was eager to rediscover Singapore, now through the lens of a designer and adult. I always like revisiting familiar places and faces at different life stages, as I've found it enriches old memories and offers fresh perspectives on past experiences.
Joining architects 61, a semi-corporate architecture firm, placed me in a new setting where I experienced substantial career growth over three years. I played a key role in two major projects: a hybrid university/laboratory building and a dental hospital, overseeing their interior design and wayfinding coordination respectively. These projects, with their stringent requirements, pushed me to hone new skills, from interdisciplinary collaboration to specialized space planning for biomedical research.
Given our firm's size relative to our projects, the constant workload demanded strict time management and the ability to set boundaries, remain adaptable, and prevent burnout—a continual learning process (like a lot of us).
None of this was done alone, and I’m skeptical of anyone that claims to have achieved anything alone (bold statement, I know). My mentor at architects 61, akin to an older brother, taught me the power of clear communication, professionalism, and exemplary leadership. I'm grateful for his guidance and the supportive colleagues who were always ready to lend a hand.
Joining architects 61, a semi-corporate architecture firm, placed me in a new setting where I experienced substantial career growth over three years. I played a key role in two major projects: a hybrid university/laboratory building and a dental hospital, overseeing their interior design and wayfinding coordination respectively. These projects, with their stringent requirements, pushed me to hone new skills, from interdisciplinary collaboration to specialized space planning for biomedical research.
Given our firm's size relative to our projects, the constant workload demanded strict time management and the ability to set boundaries, remain adaptable, and prevent burnout—a continual learning process (like a lot of us).
None of this was done alone, and I’m skeptical of anyone that claims to have achieved anything alone (bold statement, I know). My mentor at architects 61, akin to an older brother, taught me the power of clear communication, professionalism, and exemplary leadership. I'm grateful for his guidance and the supportive colleagues who were always ready to lend a hand.
2020 - 2022 | Quitting + COVID
For many of us, our jobs shape our identity and self-worth, given its central role in our lives. But what happens when our jobs are gone?
I don’t think I need to say much further than: COVID.
I quit my job – a difficult decision as I didn’t want to leave my amazing coworkers – in January 2020 to look for greener pastures and a break to have a little fun. But with the lockdowns, the subsequent massive layoffs, and a hiring freeze, I was forced to stay put twiddling my thumbs.
Not one to just sit idle, I freelanced as a design / architecture consultant – services that I still offer – for a property management company and an art consultancy firm to keep my skills sharp.
This stint proved to be really fun as I got to work with my friends, but it also reaffirmed my capabilities and knowledge in design, validating my professional experiences.
Unfortunately, after a while, I found architecture less fulfilling and my mental health started to suffer.
I don’t think I need to say much further than: COVID.
I quit my job – a difficult decision as I didn’t want to leave my amazing coworkers – in January 2020 to look for greener pastures and a break to have a little fun. But with the lockdowns, the subsequent massive layoffs, and a hiring freeze, I was forced to stay put twiddling my thumbs.
Not one to just sit idle, I freelanced as a design / architecture consultant – services that I still offer – for a property management company and an art consultancy firm to keep my skills sharp.
This stint proved to be really fun as I got to work with my friends, but it also reaffirmed my capabilities and knowledge in design, validating my professional experiences.
Unfortunately, after a while, I found architecture less fulfilling and my mental health started to suffer.
2021 - 2022 | Career Shift
As lockdowns continued, my anxiety escalated without distractions or structure, leading to overwhelming self-criticism and a significant decline in my mental health until I hit a breaking point.
This isn’t a unique; many people have gone through the same – if not worse – challenges. Yet, it prompted me to ask myself some reevaluating questions: What did I want in life? What gives me purpose? How am I going to achieve them?
I realized that I’d been living almost on autopilot; following a path I thought was expected of me. The time and perspective afforded by COVID urged me to be more intentional in my choices. It’s my life after all; if anyone has a say, it should be me.
After much reflection and support from others (as always), I reassessed my career objectives. I still had a passion for design and wanted to make a tangible impact, especially in helping others navigate the digital world, inspired by my parents’ struggles.
This prompted me to take a 6-week UX bootcamp, reach out to peers who had shifted to UX, and immersed myself in seminars and networking events to learn more about the field.
I’d found a new wave of inspiration and motivation that I hadn’t felt in a long time, empowering me to take control and apply to a graduate UX program, marking a new, intentional chapter in my life.
This isn’t a unique; many people have gone through the same – if not worse – challenges. Yet, it prompted me to ask myself some reevaluating questions: What did I want in life? What gives me purpose? How am I going to achieve them?
I realized that I’d been living almost on autopilot; following a path I thought was expected of me. The time and perspective afforded by COVID urged me to be more intentional in my choices. It’s my life after all; if anyone has a say, it should be me.
After much reflection and support from others (as always), I reassessed my career objectives. I still had a passion for design and wanted to make a tangible impact, especially in helping others navigate the digital world, inspired by my parents’ struggles.
This prompted me to take a 6-week UX bootcamp, reach out to peers who had shifted to UX, and immersed myself in seminars and networking events to learn more about the field.
I’d found a new wave of inspiration and motivation that I hadn’t felt in a long time, empowering me to take control and apply to a graduate UX program, marking a new, intentional chapter in my life.
2022 - 2023 | MDes IxD
I was drawn to California College of the Arts’ Master’s in Interaction Design program that was committed to diverse collaboration and impactful social work. When I joined, I was fueled by a renewed purpose but not without insecurities. Would my past experiences be an obstacle or an advantage? Was I too old for a career switch? Could I thrive or would I drown?
My capstone project with Acta Non-Verba connected me with compassionate and genuine individuals—from classmates and faculty to design partners.
My experience here also gave me a chance to leverage my existing skills while acquiring new ones. Building/fire codes were replaced by UX best practices; My management skills were honed as I laid out project goals, meeting agendas and minutes, and design strategies that aligned with stakeholder goals; I was able to embrace unrestricted creativity in many projects (like a trading app for aliens).
I had so much fun and the program gave me a new sense of confidence in my abilities as a designer. As we wrapped up in August 2023, my departure was tinged with a sense of bittersweet accomplishment, but it was time to move on.
My capstone project with Acta Non-Verba connected me with compassionate and genuine individuals—from classmates and faculty to design partners.
My experience here also gave me a chance to leverage my existing skills while acquiring new ones. Building/fire codes were replaced by UX best practices; My management skills were honed as I laid out project goals, meeting agendas and minutes, and design strategies that aligned with stakeholder goals; I was able to embrace unrestricted creativity in many projects (like a trading app for aliens).
I had so much fun and the program gave me a new sense of confidence in my abilities as a designer. As we wrapped up in August 2023, my departure was tinged with a sense of bittersweet accomplishment, but it was time to move on.
2023 - 2024 | New Beginnings
Now, I find myself entering the job market amidst massive layoffs and an economic downturn in Silicon Valley—a timing that's nothing if not hilarious.
Luckily, I connected with the team at AccuKnox, a cybersecurity company, where I've been tasked with designing a generative AI chatbot for their dashboard. This is my first foray into cybersecurity, and I prefer to start projects with thorough research to build a strong foundation. This approach led me to dive deep into cybersecurity basics and user workflows, asking numerous questions (shoutout to ChatGPT!) to ensure a well-informed design process. So far, the responses to my design and work ethic have been positive, so I’d like to think I’m doing something right.
Additionally, I've been supporting early startups and peers with design services, from mockups and strategies to best practice advice.
Despite staying busy, I miss the team spirit and shared mission, driving me to continue seeking new opportunities.
If you know of anywhere that would be a good fit for me, or would like to work with me, shoot me a message!
Luckily, I connected with the team at AccuKnox, a cybersecurity company, where I've been tasked with designing a generative AI chatbot for their dashboard. This is my first foray into cybersecurity, and I prefer to start projects with thorough research to build a strong foundation. This approach led me to dive deep into cybersecurity basics and user workflows, asking numerous questions (shoutout to ChatGPT!) to ensure a well-informed design process. So far, the responses to my design and work ethic have been positive, so I’d like to think I’m doing something right.
Additionally, I've been supporting early startups and peers with design services, from mockups and strategies to best practice advice.
Despite staying busy, I miss the team spirit and shared mission, driving me to continue seeking new opportunities.
If you know of anywhere that would be a good fit for me, or would like to work with me, shoot me a message!
Values
Some things that I value that help me do my best work and live my best life.
Flexibility
"Hold strong opinions, loosely" is a quote that I found inspiring. I believe it's important to hold onto what one thinks is right, but also open to being proved wrong.
Mindfulness
Understanding that no matter how much we love what we do, everyone needs a break sometimes. If I'm unwell, I am not able to perform at my best.
Respect
Respecting the process, people's time, opinions, cultures, backgrounds, and the fact that we are all trying to do our jobs.
What else?
Adventure with Friends
I love new experiences with good people
Excel Sheets
I love organizing information. I've made excel sheets for everything: Travel recommendations for friends, furniture list for moving, comparing my fantasy basketball team, you name it.
Live to Eat
The only reason I go to the gym is so I can eat with reckless abandon. I love trying new dishes and will always try anything at least once.
bottom of page