Today we’d like to introduce you to Christy Hu.
Hi Christy, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m proud to call myself a designer. As a kid, I loved drawing and creating. It was something that brought me immense joy. Little did I know that this passion would shape my future. At 16, my family and I moved to the United States. It was a huge change, but I was determined to pursue my dreams. I first went to a community college to study graphic design. A few months ago, I graduated from ArtCenter College of Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design. After graduating, I joined Google as a User Experience Designer. It was a dream come true. I get to work on exciting projects and be part of an innovative team. In my free time, I mentor aspiring designers and share my experiences on YouTube. It’s incredible to see how my journey has inspired others to pursue their passions. My journey from being an English as a second language learner to a designer at Google has been filled with challenges. It’s a testament to the power of perseverance and following my passion. I’m excited to continue sharing my story and helping others on their creative journeys.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It wasn’t a smooth path. When I graduated from high school, I was desperate to know that I didn’t get into any of the UCs I applied to. At that moment, it felt like the world was coming to an end. However, I didn’t give up. I made a commitment to myself to build a design portfolio and go to a top design university. That motivated me to work hard and work on various design projects with different people. My first freelance gig was working with an independent fashion designer. I helped her design her website and marketing materials. Her personality and art style are different and inspired me to create something unique for her. From that point forward, I continued to seize one opportunity after another. Five years later, I landed my dream job.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I design user interfaces and user experiences. At Google, I focus on designing helpful smart home experiences for the Google Home app. Previously, I’ve designed online learning and tutoring experiences for an ed-tech startup, as well as a student portfolio platform. I love solving problems using design methods and crafting end-to-end user journeys. My biggest joy is seeing people enjoy the products I designed. Having a strong visual design background sets me apart. My strength is I always explore a lot of different options and then recommend the best option, drawing from my expertise, user feedback, and supporting data.
What matters most to you?
Fostering genuine connections with individuals is important to me. I love connecting with people on a personal level, taking the time to truly understand their unique narratives. By doing so, I gain valuable insights that enable me to resonate with them and help with their specific needs.
My aspiration is to use my work to make a positive impact. I choose to work on subjects that resonate with my values and beliefs. I believe that’s the key to creating exceptional work because I, as the designer, understand its significance and value.
Contact Info:
- Website: christy-hu.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christyhuu/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christy-hu/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@christyhu
Image Credits
Xie xie, Eddy
