Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiger Zhao.
Hi Tiger, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Fun and games have been essential matters to me since I was conscious as an energized boy. Choosing experience and product design as my professional career path was just the beginning. My passion for unleashing the game designer within me only grew stronger.
During my time being laid off from my full-time job in 2022, I found time focusing on developing board games. Since then, I have not only worked individually on several board game concepts but also part-time as a game host at a local board game store. As a game host, I did not hold back from revising the strategy of Murder-Mystery LARP games I host when I find it necessary. It’s become a major platform for showcasing my board game design chops to the world.
My natural instinct to turn ordinary moments into enjoyable adventures has earned me a reputation as a likable game host and ‘the creative friend who finds every opportunity to turn things into a fun game.’ Who knew getting laid off could lead to such a winning streak?
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Pursuing my passion without sufficient financial support from a full-time job is never an easy path. I found myself working on low-fidelity prototypes for most of my concepts, a way to tackle to the constraints I faced. Luckily, I had supportive friends willing to test these mock-ups, and they were kind enough to bear with the roughness.
Balancing my time between the job search and my creative endeavors posed an additional challenge, especially for someone like me who lives on a work-related visa. To stay on track, I created a timetable, carefully allocating my time between these two pursuits. It was a juggling act, but it helped me maintain focus on both fronts.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Beyond my full-time roles as a UX designer at established companies like Tesla and NETGEAR, my distinctiveness manifests from being a storyteller through gamified experiences. One recent project stands out, and it’s a board game concept inspired by the historical park of Yuanmingyuan in Beijing, China. This endeavor was a personal journey to capture the scenic beauty of the park, compensating for my regret of not yet being able to visit. The result was a board game designed for small groups of family and friends, where they can collect Scenery Cards and flag locations on the map to create their own ‘visit lanes.’
As the sole designer of this project, I delved into every detail, from branding and visual design to game mechanics and prototyping. My background as a product and UX designer played a crucial role in the development of this game. I take pride in bringing my cultural legacy to life through this artifact as a designer based in the US.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I strongly believe that a mentorship relationship can profoundly benefit a young rising talent through proper guidance and encouragement. Personally, I’ve utilized platforms such as ADPList and LinkedIn to reach out to experienced creators and designers, seeking inspiration and feedback for my works. While these connections were mostly short-term, I found them immensely helpful for my individual cases. Now, I’m eagerly looking forward to connecting with someone for a longer period, aiming to build a solid and lasting connection in the creator industry on the West Coast!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tigerzhao.webflow.io
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tigaloette/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tigerzhao/
