Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiger Zhao
Hi Tiger, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey as a designer and creator began on a land far from here. In the early 2010s, I had the incredible opportunity to study in Uganda, where the raw beauty of the East African gem sparked my passion for designing products that are both functional and visually captivating. That passion eventually brought me to Silicon Valley, where I set out to turn my dream into reality.
I pursued studies in industrial and interaction design, hesitant to choose between form and function because I loved both equally. After graduating, I launched my career as an Experience Designer at Tesla. Since then, I’ve embraced new roles, earned a Master’s degree in Design Management, and grown into someone deeply passionate about solving problems and crafting experiences that people truly enjoy.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No road for a dream-chaser is ever smooth. Having a well-known company on my resume didn’t shield me from the challenges that hit when the pandemic struck in mid-2020, just as my career was starting to take off. Those six months of uncertainty—when most employers froze hiring—were incredibly tough, both mentally and financially.
A couple of years later, the aftershocks of the global crisis hit again. This time, I found myself caught in a massive layoff, marking another career setback. Facing these difficulties head-on, I decided to pause and focus on growth, enrolling in a Master’s program to build my network and leadership skills.
When I reentered the job market as a fresh graduate, I felt like an underdog, battling anxiety over finding a role that matched my background and experience. But with determination and the support of my professional network, I hustled my way into a new role, overcoming unemployment for the third time in just four years.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I design experiences that are not just enjoyable but also accessible and meaningful, with a focus on creating solutions that empower underserved communities. A recent example is Sundial, an AI-powered wellness planner born from my passion for helping health-conscious individuals take charge of their well-being. Leading its concept development and interface design let me explore how generative and reactive AI can inspire behavior change, turning innovative technology into tools that make a measurable difference.
Another project close to my heart is Forty Scenes: Routes Beyond, a museum board game inspired by Yuanmingyuan Park in Beijing, China. I reimagined the park’s landmarks as interactive game pieces, creating a keepsake that families can bring home to continue the story of their visit. For me, it was also a way to connect with the park’s beauty and history from afar, offering the same opportunity to those who couldn’t visit in person.
Having lived on three continents, I’ve developed a unique perspective that blends multicultural understanding with creativity. This global lens helps me approach social challenges with empathy while staying true to my craft of designing visually stunning, pixel-perfect experiences. My goal is always to strike a thoughtful balance—creating work that’s equitable for users and valuable for businesses, bringing both social impact and financial success to the table.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
As covered in the pervious sections, the pandemic hit hard at the early days of my career, but it also gave me time to pause and reflect on my potential. If I had to sum up what I learned during that time, it would be simply three words: never stop striving.
We’re lucky the pandemic happened in an era when the internet comes in handy. While stuck at home, I didn’t just spend hours scrolling job boards—I also found new ways to grow and stay creative. My college friends and I started a Hip-Hop group for fun, and we ended up making two tracks together: one as a tribute to our school, and another as a diss track aimed at anti-maskers (we couldn’t resist). I also got into writing suspense dramas, thanks to my growing obsession with murder mystery shows. It was a new and exciting way to explore storytelling.
One of the biggest things I did during lockdown was co-founding a startup—completely remote. With in-person activities shutting down back home in China, I saw a chance to bring people together through online party games. It felt good to create something meaningful for people stuck in quarantine, just like myself.
Looking back, those experiences shaped me in ways I didn’t expect. The pandemic taught me that even in the toughest moments, there’s room to explore, create, and chase ideas that matter.
Pricing:
- $50-70/hr (project-based design consultant & production)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tgrzh3.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tigerzhao/
