Designer, mentor, creative human

I’m a San Francisco Bay Area transplant and a self-taught product designer, currently building tools for advertisers at Meta. I also mentor UX design students at Springboard and ADPList.

Previously at ThredUP, I designed products that help extend the life of clothes and fight fashion waste. Before that, I studied architecture at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s top-ranked program while dreaming about a career designing websites.

As a product designer, I thrive in dynamic environments where I can drive product strategy and get things done. With an inherent optimism, I always approach my work with a can-do attitude, pushing projects along with steady forward momentum until we deliver impact. My scrappiness and versatility helps me embrace ambiguity in any setting, and my dedication to nurturing talent fosters a culture of continuous learning and development within my design teams and the external community.

When I’m not pushing pixels, you can find me doodling on my iPad, studying fashion, singing by the piano, telling stories over on my blog, or rushing off to the next group fitness class at the gym. I’m always curious, always learning, always dabbling.

 
 

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Call me

📞

Beep me

📟

If you wanna reach me

👋

Call me 📞 Beep me 📟 If you wanna reach me 👋

I'd love to hear from you!

 
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My Story

A restless child from the start, I've always been a wild dreamer and lover of the arts. My journey began on a sketchpad. I drew everything I saw, and took classes where I learned to draw a little better. 

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I didn't grow up in an artistic family or community. My parents were computer engineers, who didn't know much about design but knew the importance of the internet and the quickly evolving digital age. When I was 12, my dad bought me a book — the Photoshop CS2 Bible. He had installed Photoshop on our computer and I was intrigued. I spent my days learning to edit photos, playing with composite photos, and creating mixed media artwork. Being able to visually express my feelings and ideas and make things happen with a click of a mouse brought me so much joy.

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In high school I picked up a camera and fell in love with photography. With my retouching skills I was able to create photos I'd envisioned in my head for years. I took pictures of everything, and I especially loved photographing people.

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I went to college for architecture. Since it fused elements of creativity with technical aspects of construction, my parents believed this traditional profession of architecture would be the perfect career path for me. I did internships and tried to do well in my classes. I even studied abroad and did a really cool thesis project. Most importantly I learned to practice the iterative process of design.

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I respected architecture, but it didn't feel right. Drafting floor plans and studying construction details weren't fulfilling my desire to connect with the people I was designing for. I took on part-time graphic design jobs and dabbled in freelance work, where I worked directly with clients. I had to teach myself a ton, but designing on a digital platform came naturally to me. I also felt like I was making a difference using snazzy computer skills to solve people’s real problems.

At school, I picked up minors in photography and film and continued doing photoshoots to fulfill my creative instincts. Somewhere around this time, I started Studio Sophy, where I blogged and shared everything I do and love. Working on this website has encouraged me to tinker with ideas, continuously create work (however good or bad), and figure out what I truly want to do in my career.

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When I graduated with my Bachelor of Architecture, I was fully set on pursuing commercial and editorial fashion and portrait photography. I packed my bags and moved to New York City, where I did an internship and got exposed to the real world, surrounded by some of the most creative talented people. I busted my butt trying to make a living, but soon enough, realized this fast-changing ambitious industry was far from my ideal career.

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I came back home to California, settled in the San Francisco Bay Area, and started working as a designer. I dipped my toes into Silicon Valley and the world of UX design, and found myself amazed by the new careers the endless possibility the world of tech has created. I had initially fallen in love with the web because it gave everyone the chance to create and get their work out in the world. And now, in a world where businesses and technology are learning to truly embrace design, I’m able to do the things I’ve always loved my entire life — work in the digital space, use creativity to solve people’s problems, and forge an exciting career path of my own.

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I've hopscotched through so many career paths, but I'm excited to be where I am today. Still figuring things out (isn't everyone?), but unafraid of pivoting my life, evolving, and growing my passion for learning, experimenting, and the creative process. My path may be unconventional, but my skills are unique. And I want to do so much more.

Studio Sophy is my creative world. Welcome.