Latest
![The AI revolution in UX](/content/images/size/w600/2024/06/dall-e.jpg.webp)
The AI revolution in UX
A New Era for Designers
Optimizing your onboarding: lessons from libraries to UX
If you are starting a new project with a new stakeholder, a new job, or even a new team, what should you do in the first 30 days?
![Innovation conflicts with operational excellence and efficiency](/content/images/size/w600/2024/05/innovation_tank.jpeg)
Innovation conflicts with operational excellence and efficiency
![Courage to be imperfect: strategies for personal empowerment](/content/images/size/w600/2024/05/self-conf.png)
Courage to be imperfect: strategies for personal empowerment
"To be authentic, we must cultivate the courage to be imperfect—and vulnerable." - Brené Brown Over the past week, several people have shared their struggles with self-confidence with me. Given the recurring questions around self-advocacy, I’ve decided to explore this leadership topic more deeply in today’
![10 insights from women leadership training](/content/images/size/w600/2024/04/IMG_1794.jpeg)
10 insights from women leadership training
Last week, I attended a two-day women's leadership training in Seattle, which was one of the best I've ever experienced. For the first time, I heard women from SDM, PMT, and TPM openly discuss their challenges. The environment was judgment-free, psychologically safe, and supportive, making it
![Greetings from Seattle](/content/images/size/w600/2024/04/IMG_1744-1.jpeg)
Greetings from Seattle
I'm writing to you from the PNW! Flew in on Sunday and had my first bowl of 🍜Ramen at Danbo. I've never heard of this place, went because of high ratings. Hit the spot for an introvert like me, eating noodles alone at the bar counter.
![Reflecting on writing this newsletter for 1 year](/content/images/size/w600/2024/04/DALL-E-2024-04-07-22.52.45---Design-a-cartoon-style-image-of-an-approachable-Asian-female-character-on-her-writing-journey--aiming-for-a-style-that-strikes-a-balance-between-matur.jpg)
Reflecting on writing this newsletter for 1 year
Learnings from writing for a year...
![Premium Edition: Video: How to design innovation](/content/images/size/w600/2024/04/Thumb.jpg)
Premium Edition: Video: How to design innovation
84% of company leadership believe innovation is a high priority, but 94% of them are dissatisfied with the performance of the innovation. A great product and service is long-lasting, but how do we know the idea today will stick?
![How to speak about complex topics](/content/images/size/w600/2024/04/DALL-E-2024-04-07-15.39.17---Transform-the-image-into-a-cartoon--making-the-Asian-woman-in-her-30s-less-human-like-and-more-stylized.-In-this-cartoon-version--she-stands-in-a-casu.webp)
How to speak about complex topics
I presented a talk called "How do you design innovation" at the University of Chicago and SAIC, focusing on customer-centric design and exploring Jobs-To-Be-Done. I aimed to cover this complex subject in less than 18 minutes.
A word from my mentee...
As a personal project, I am working with Aaron to create a new Youtube series "Speedrun to Senior" where I will try to speed up his skills and fill the gaps.
![There should be a course for being laid off](/content/images/size/w600/2024/04/photo-1586473219010-2ffc57b0d282.jpeg)
There should be a course for being laid off
"Cat, are our jobs safe? Google is laying people off."
Burnout
The fallout of moving fast and breaking things
Breaking customer trust is easy. A company’s business and way of working dictates the limitations and boundaries in which designers manage, operate, and deliver for end customers.
![Imposter syndrome for writing](/content/images/size/w600/2024/04/DALL-E-2024-04-07-16.00.13---Recreate-the-image-to-feature-a-girl-in-a-more-casual-setting--still-encapsulating-the-emotional-journey-of-publishing-deeply-personal-work.-The-scene.webp)
Writing
Imposter syndrome for writing
Happy Tuesday. Last week's post "5 stories from two decades of design" took me two weeks to write. I wrote that 3 times, each time when I read it, I thought "what is this?" 🫣 I had imposter syndrome. I forced myself to post an
![5 stories from two decades of design](/content/images/size/w600/2024/02/linkedin-article-banner@3x.png)
Life
5 stories from two decades of design
Celebrating two decades in design this February, I hope my story highlights the qualities that define not just successful designers, but individuals who thrive in an environment of constant change.
![From good to great, don't be well-rounded](/content/images/size/w600/2024/04/mindmap.jpeg)
Career Growth
From good to great, don't be well-rounded
Surprise! An email on a Friday. Warm welcome to 5 new subscribers in January! Sxd4383, Pooja, Miyu, Lanre, and Emylie. You know what I do on Fridays? I briefly summarize: 1. What were my top 2-3 focus tasks this week? 2. What small wins did I achieve with these tasks?
![What do I want to achieve?](/content/images/size/w600/2024/04/goals-1.jpg)
Life
What do I want to achieve?
Last Wednesday at the office was eerily quiet. Layoffs of 2024 happened with a few teams (Audible, Prime Video, Twitch).
![Develop yourself with growth themes in 2024](/content/images/size/w600/2024/04/DALL-E-2024-04-07-16.18.09---Recreate-the-image-with-a-focus-on-more-pleasing--subdued-colors--while-still-conveying-the-theme-of-personal-and-professional-growth-for-2024.-The-fe.png)
Career Growth
Develop yourself with growth themes in 2024
Before the end of the year, we had drafted our year-end summaries, including wins and growth areas. Last week, we had to turn in written descriptions for "above and beyond" actions, expectations exceeded from role guidelines.
![Premium Edition: Career strategy and documenting accomplishments](/content/images/size/w600/2024/04/documenting-1.jpg)
Career Growth
Premium Edition: Career strategy and documenting accomplishments
🔒Paid members only content. Support this newsletter effort by buying me a coffee for $5/mo.
Life
A somber end to 2023
Reflective trip to Seattle. I was given the gift of clarity and broadened perspectives.
Life
Season of job change
I don't know what's in the air this past week, but my mentees were asking me about internal transfers and changing teams. Changing teams internally requires a smaller, less painful interview process...
![How to tell a story](/content/images/size/w600/2024/04/DALL-E-2024-04-07-16.53.58---Create-a-cartoon-image-that-s-professional-yet-approachable--featuring-a-female-storyteller.-She-s-standing-in-a-cozy--well-lit-room--with-a-modern-de.webp)
Communication
How to tell a story
Six arcs to help you craft a better story.
![November AMA: relevant to your interests](/content/images/size/w600/2023/11/AMA.png)
AMA
November AMA: relevant to your interests
Subscriber lead question post for November.
![Sunday scaries](/content/images/size/w600/2023/10/Thumbnail-13.jpg)
Burnout
Sunday scaries
👻 Sunday scaries is a slang describing the anxiety of starting the next workweek. The best time of the week to think about quitting or quiet quitting.