Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Lin.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m an interior architect originated from Taiwan and moved to Los Angeles when I was eleven. From a young age, I was always drawn to design and aesthetics, constantly creating and crafting with the resources available to me at the time, such as using street flyers to construct origami art sculptures or rearranging my room to experiment with different color schemes. Although I was fortunate to have a supportive family that encouraged me to pursue a creative field, it was not until later, during the college application process, that I decided to major in Environmental Design at Art Center College of Design. Often, when people hear my major, they think it is just landscape design and sustainability. However, the truth is that it is everything. During my study years, I remembered the phrase: “We are designing a holistic experience, starting with the first encounter when the guest walks in, continuing with the interaction throughout, and finishing with the takeaway when the guest leaves.” This resonated with me even till now and helps me design from a user perspective because I believe the basis of a good architecture should not only be functional but also focusing on every aspects of how people live, work, and play. I was exposed to diverse classes and taught by many renowned teachers, sharing their personal experiences that broadened my perspective and shaped my identity as a designer. With a strong foundation built on passion, I landed myself in a company that shares the same vision; I continue to hone in on my expertise and pushing boundaries, always finding smart and innovative solutions to meet the final objective.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When I graduated December of 2019, it was the beginning of the pandemic that affected many industries. I struggled finding jobs and experienced a sense of self-doubt about my career choice and future direction during this time. I sent out an extensive amount of resumes and applied overseas but nothing returned. I knew I couldn’t give up on something that hadn’t started yet. That’s when I started putting myself out there and took advantage of online educational resources. I also connected with industry professionals to gain more insight into the job market. As a result, I even learned Japanese to find opportunities in Japan, which is known for its excellence in multidisciplinary design. Luckily, I landed on a local company several months later. Now working as a junior designer for a design firm in Los Angeles, I learned to trust myself and the process as long as I am dedicated and passionate about what I do. I’m confident that I’m on the right track to achieving my career goals.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I believe I am not just a spatial designer. I design narrative-driven spaces where innovation and playfulness coexist to represent an engaging experience. And I do so by seeking out depth and meaning from a story. I often weave the subtle changes in our emotions, memories, and expectations to create moments that invite people to explore. Through my design, I am given a chance to transform an exclusive memory into a shareable journey.
We’d love to hear what you think about risk-taking.
To be honest, I’m not a risk-taker, but throughout my life, I have acknowledged that every choice has always been about taking a risk. Being raised in a culture that emphasizes planning ahead, I have always been taught to plan ahead when it comes to making career decisions as well as establishing relationships and networking. This results, however, in a lack of flexibility when things get out of hand. What Western education has taught me is to adapt to changes. If risk-taking is the way of life, then I’m learning to be comfortable with the uncertainty that comes with it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jlin.design/
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/julie21tw/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jlin21
