I was one of many people laid off during Covid, and rather than go back to architecture, I made the somewhat crazy decision to dedicate the next 10 months to fully learning UX design. I worked with my friend who was a mentor to me and I began creating my own projects, and learning endless lessons. Along the way, I even adopted a puppy. 

As a designer, I have always been obsessed with making the user happy. Whether that’s building a physical space for them to inhabit, or a digital site that they interact with. Saving people time and removing even a little frustration from their day, is truly the most rewarding feeling. It’s this feeling that keeps me feeling satisfied and motivated in such a tough creative environment.

But of course, that’s only half the story. When I’m not at work, you can catch me at the dog park, or the volleyball court. You may hear me playing guitar or piano, or smell the delicious Korean BBQ chicken sandwich I’m making. Or even see me watching The Boys or Demon Slayer through my window. But no matter what I’m sinking my time into, you can bet I’m doing it with a smile.

I know my journey, both in my career and in life will never stop. To be successful in both, you need to continue to learn and improve your skills until the day you shuffle off this mortal coil. And I don’t plan on wasting a single day.