I'm Annie!
I’m a hospitality professional turned UX/UI designer. You might have two questions after hearing that: Why did I start in hospitality, and what inspired me to transition into UX/UI? The answer to both can be summed up by a classic icebreaker question: "Describe yourself in three words." For me, those words would be: adventurous, creative, and empathetic.
Anyone who knows me can vouch for the fact that I am an inherently happy person. I might have even been born this way—my mom’s delivery nurse once told her that I was the happiest baby she’d ever seen in the hospital! As cliché as it may sound, I’ve always loved—and still love—making others smile. I had the privilege of exploring many creative outlets growing up, including dance, drama, and music, and one of my favorite parts of these activities was the ability to bring joy to others.
When it came time to apply for college, I wanted to take my passion for creating positive experiences and channel it into a practical career. That’s when I decided on hospitality management. Throughout high school and college, I gained a wealth of experience in customer service, working with renowned hospitality groups like Marriott, Disney, and The Peninsula Tokyo. I even worked abroad while completing my bachelor’s degree!
Although I loved my work, I found myself yearning for more creative challenges. With encouragement from family, I eventually discovered UX/UI design. In early 2021, I enrolled in a design bootcamp and began working on a variety of projects. What I love most about UX/UI is the emphasis on user-centricity, a concept that resonated with my years in hospitality, where understanding and meeting the needs of others was key. While some may see a gap between hospitality and UX/UI, I believe both fields share a core goal: to help people through empathy.
Whether in person or digitally, the aim is the same—catering to the needs of others. Now, with over three years in the UX/UI industry, I’ve found one of my favorite aspects is that I can serve others incognito. There’s a saying in the design world that really resonates with me: "Good design goes unnoticed." It’s fulfilling to know that the impact I make is often invisible, yet meaningful.
When I’m not designing, I enjoy spending time with my two dogs and bird, tending to my indoor and outdoor plants, thrifting for hidden gems, and doing pottery!
