More than
More than
Just A Designer:
Just A Designer:
where science meets creativity
where science meets creativity
Designer
Transforming ideas into User-Centered Experiences




Hey, I'm Elaine
Born in China and raised in San Francisco, I’m an aspiring project manager with a background in Cognitive Science focused on AI and Human-Computer Interaction. I graduated two years early with a B.S. from UC Santa Cruz, where I developed a strong foundation in human cognition, user behavior, and how people interact with technology.
Driven by curiosity about product development, I learned UI/UX design, which deepened my passion for project management, especially turning ideas into structured, impactful solutions. In past roles, I’ve led operational improvements, supported cross-functional teams, and managed stakeholder communications. Now, I’m eager to apply my analytical thinking, empathy, and adaptability in a full-time project management role to help teams deliver meaningful results.
Born in China and raised in San Francisco, I’m an aspiring project manager with a background in Cognitive Science focused on AI and Human-Computer Interaction. I graduated two years early with a B.S. from UC Santa Cruz, where I developed a strong foundation in human cognition, user behavior, and how people interact with technology.
Driven by curiosity about product development, I learned UI/UX design, which deepened my passion for project management, especially turning ideas into structured, impactful solutions. In past roles, I’ve led operational improvements, supported cross-functional teams, and managed stakeholder communications. Now, I’m eager to apply my analytical thinking, empathy, and adaptability in a full-time project management role to help teams deliver meaningful results.
Hey! I'm Elaine
Born in China and raised in San Francisco, I’m an aspiring project manager with a background in Cognitive Science focused on AI and Human-Computer Interaction. I graduated two years early with a B.S. from UC Santa Cruz, where I developed a strong foundation in human cognition, user behavior, and how people interact with technology.
Driven by curiosity about product development, I learned UI/UX design, which deepened my passion for project management, especially turning ideas into structured, impactful solutions. In past roles, I’ve led operational improvements, supported cross-functional teams, and managed stakeholder communications. Now, I’m eager to apply my analytical thinking, empathy, and adaptability in a full-time project management role to help teams deliver meaningful results.
Process
My Design Process
I thrive at the intersection of design, research, and strategy—balancing aesthetics with usability to create products that enhance everyday experiences. My process involves user research, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing, ensuring that every decision is backed by data and user feedback. I love working with cross-functional teams, bringing together engineering, business, and user needs to create seamless experiences.
Principle
My Philosophy
My Philosophy
My Philosophy
My Philosophy
User-Centered Design
I prioritize the needs and experiences of users, ensuring that every decision is made with their ease and accessibility in mind.
01
Empathy-Driven Solutions
Understanding users’ challenges and pain points is at the core of my design process, allowing me to create meaningful and intuitive experiences.
02
Inclusivity
I am passionate about designing for diverse groups, particularly underrepresented communities, to ensure that technology is accessible to all.
03
Simplicity and Clarity
I believe in stripping away complexity to create clean, straightforward designs that enhance usability and focus on essential tasks.
04
Collaboration and Adaptability
I value cross-functional collaboration and stay flexible in adapting to new ideas and feedback to improve the final product.
05
User-Centered Design
I prioritize the needs and experiences of users, ensuring that every decision is made with their ease and accessibility in mind.
01
Empathy-Driven Solutions
Understanding users’ challenges and pain points is at the core of my design process, allowing me to create meaningful and intuitive experiences.
02
Inclusivity
I am passionate about designing for diverse groups, particularly underrepresented communities, to ensure that technology is accessible to all.
03
Simplicity and Clarity
I believe in stripping away complexity to create clean, straightforward designs that enhance usability and focus on essential tasks.
04
Collaboration and Adaptability
I value cross-functional collaboration and stay flexible in adapting to new ideas and feedback to improve the final product.
05
User-Centered Design
I prioritize the needs and experiences of users, ensuring that every decision is made with their ease and accessibility in mind.
01
Empathy-Driven Solutions
Understanding users’ challenges and pain points is at the core of my design process, allowing me to create meaningful and intuitive experiences.
02
Inclusivity
I am passionate about designing for diverse groups, particularly underrepresented communities, to ensure that technology is accessible to all.
03
Simplicity and Clarity
I believe in stripping away complexity to create clean, straightforward designs that enhance usability and focus on essential tasks.
04
Collaboration and Adaptability
I value cross-functional collaboration and stay flexible in adapting to new ideas and feedback to improve the final product.
05
User-Centered Design
I prioritize the needs and experiences of users, ensuring that every decision is made with their ease and accessibility in mind.
01
Empathy-Driven Solutions
Understanding users’ challenges and pain points is at the core of my design process, allowing me to create meaningful and intuitive experiences.
02
Inclusivity
I am passionate about designing for diverse groups, particularly underrepresented communities, to ensure that technology is accessible to all.
03
Simplicity and Clarity
I believe in stripping away complexity to create clean, straightforward designs that enhance usability and focus on essential tasks.
04
Collaboration and Adaptability
I value cross-functional collaboration and stay flexible in adapting to new ideas and feedback to improve the final product.
05
EXCPERIENCE
MY CAREER JOURNEY
January 2023 - June 2024
UC Santa Cruz
Operations & Project Coordinator
Provided administrative support to 2,000+ students, assisting with academic advising, financial aid, and enrollment inquiries. Led recruitment and onboarding, ensuring smooth team integration. Coordinated across departments to streamline summer course delivery for 400+ courses annually. Managed outreach and marketing, using data-driven insights to boost participation. Conducted data analysis to resolve registration, enrollment, and billing issues, improving efficiency.
January 2023 - June 2024
UC Santa Cruz
Operations & Project Coordinator
Provided administrative support to 2,000+ students, assisting with academic advising, financial aid, and enrollment inquiries. Led recruitment and onboarding, ensuring smooth team integration. Coordinated across departments to streamline summer course delivery for 400+ courses annually. Managed outreach and marketing, using data-driven insights to boost participation. Conducted data analysis to resolve registration, enrollment, and billing issues, improving efficiency.
January 2023 - June 2024
UC Santa Cruz
Operations & Project Coordinator
Provided administrative support to 2,000+ students, assisting with academic advising, financial aid, and enrollment inquiries. Led recruitment and onboarding, ensuring smooth team integration. Coordinated across departments to streamline summer course delivery for 400+ courses annually. Managed outreach and marketing, using data-driven insights to boost participation. Conducted data analysis to resolve registration, enrollment, and billing issues, improving efficiency.
January 2023 - June 2024
UC Santa Cruz
Operations & Project Coordinator
Provided administrative support to 2,000+ students, assisting with academic advising, financial aid, and enrollment inquiries. Led recruitment and onboarding, ensuring smooth team integration. Coordinated across departments to streamline summer course delivery for 400+ courses annually. Managed outreach and marketing, using data-driven insights to boost participation. Conducted data analysis to resolve registration, enrollment, and billing issues, improving efficiency.
May 2023 - June 2024
EyeQ Optometry
Clinical Operations / Optometric Technician
Performed auxiliary testing for 2,500+ patients, ensuring clear procedural communication. Managed confidential patient records and data entry while maintaining HIPAA compliance. Handled customer service, scheduling, and insurance coordination with providers like VSP, EyeMed, and Noridian. Oversaw daily operations, including opening/closing, inventory management, room preparation, and dispensing contacts/glasses.
May 2023 - June 2024
EyeQ Optometry
Clinical Operations / Optometric Technician
Performed auxiliary testing for 2,500+ patients, ensuring clear procedural communication. Managed confidential patient records and data entry while maintaining HIPAA compliance. Handled customer service, scheduling, and insurance coordination with providers like VSP, EyeMed, and Noridian. Oversaw daily operations, including opening/closing, inventory management, room preparation, and dispensing contacts/glasses.
May 2023 - June 2024
EyeQ Optometry
Clinical Operations / Optometric Technician
Performed auxiliary testing for 2,500+ patients, ensuring clear procedural communication. Managed confidential patient records and data entry while maintaining HIPAA compliance. Handled customer service, scheduling, and insurance coordination with providers like VSP, EyeMed, and Noridian. Oversaw daily operations, including opening/closing, inventory management, room preparation, and dispensing contacts/glasses.
May 2023 - June 2024
EyeQ Optometry
UI / UX Designer
Performed auxiliary testing for 2,500+ patients, ensuring clear procedural communication. Managed confidential patient records and data entry while maintaining HIPAA compliance. Handled customer service, scheduling, and insurance coordination with providers like VSP, EyeMed, and Noridian. Oversaw daily operations, including opening/closing, inventory management, room preparation, and dispensing contacts/glasses.
Certifications
Certifications
January 2025
UX Design Professional Certificate
Completed through Coursera, mastering user research, wireframing, prototyping, usability testing, and accessibility principles. Developed human-centered design solutions through hands-on projects, utilizing industry-standard tools like Figma to create intuitive and functional user experiences.
January 2025
UX Design Professional Certificate
Completed through Coursera, mastering user research, wireframing, prototyping, usability testing, and accessibility principles. Developed human-centered design solutions through hands-on projects, utilizing industry-standard tools like Figma to create intuitive and functional user experiences.
January 2025
UX Design Professional Certificate
Completed through Coursera, mastering user research, wireframing, prototyping, usability testing, and accessibility principles. Developed human-centered design solutions through hands-on projects, utilizing industry-standard tools like Figma to create intuitive and functional user experiences.
January 2025
UX Design Professional Certificate
Completed through Coursera, mastering user research, wireframing, prototyping, usability testing, and accessibility principles. Developed human-centered design solutions through hands-on projects, utilizing industry-standard tools like Figma to create intuitive and functional user experiences.
September 2024
UC Santa Cruz
Humanizing Technology Certificate
Explored the social and cultural impacts of both new and existing technologies. Developed critical thinking skills about the social systems that inform these technologies and gained tools to become a socially responsible professional, focusing on creating ethically conscious and user-centered design solutions.
September 2024
UC Santa Cruz
Humanizing Technology Certificate
Explored the social and cultural impacts of both new and existing technologies. Developed critical thinking skills about the social systems that inform these technologies and gained tools to become a socially responsible professional, focusing on creating ethically conscious and user-centered design solutions.
September 2024
UC Santa Cruz
Humanizing Technology Certificate
Explored the social and cultural impacts of both new and existing technologies. Developed critical thinking skills about the social systems that inform these technologies and gained tools to become a socially responsible professional, focusing on creating ethically conscious and user-centered design solutions.
September 2024
UC Santa Cruz
UI / UX Designer
Explored the social and cultural impacts of both new and existing technologies. Developed critical thinking skills about the social systems that inform these technologies and gained tools to become a socially responsible professional, focusing on creating ethically conscious and user-centered design solutions.
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