ABOUT
my Journey as a designer
Hi, my name is Yelim, from Korea. I always enjoyed creating something as a kid — story, cross stitch, origami — you name it. Officially, I began my design journey at Iowa State University, where I discovered my love for problem-solving through creativity. I started with an advertising major, but quickly discovered I wanted to actually create things myself, so I ended up with a double major—advertising and graphic design.
During my undergraduate internship, I found myself drawn to website analytics, user research, and the strategic thinking behind design decisions. This led me to pursue a Master's in Human-Computer Interaction, specializing in educational technology.
After working in Korea for two years for fintech and education companies, I’m back in the US permanently, looking for an opportunity to keep growing and contribute my skills.
I believe in the power of communication and the beauty of problem-solving.
Design philosophy
My approach centers on research and understanding people first. I naturally notice what different users need and enjoy building connections with people across teams —
whether that's understanding user problems, translating what stakeholders actually want, or helping team members grow. Design is a collaborative tool for solving complex problems.
Beyond design
When I'm not designing, you'll find me exploring the world — literally and figuratively. I recently finished walking El Camino de Santiago by myself for two weeks. During the trip, I got to visit the Sagrada Familia to see the masterpiece done by Antoni Gaudi. These experiences constantly shape how I think about design, reminding me that thoughtful design extends far beyond screens to touch human emotions — and that every design decision has real impact on real lives.
