My Professional Journey
UX Research Intern
Outdo Education
Mar 2025 - Present
Key Responsibilities:
Led the end-to-end research process for an EdTech MVP.
Designed and validated survey questions to de-risk research assumptions.
Recruited, screened, and scheduled all participant interviews.
Conducted user interviews, usability tests, and competitive analysis.
Synthesized data, created archetypes, and delivered actionable insight reports.
In-Depth Story:
My primary challenge was to validate the team's core assumption: that the real cognitive load for students comes from *preparing* to study, not just studying itself. A fascinating insight from my interviews was that students themselves didn't recognize this preparation as separate work. Through careful questioning, I helped uncover this "hidden" user pain point. My final report provided the evidence needed to prioritize features for a centralized study hub, directly shaping the product roadmap.
Effects Artist | Project Manager
Freelance
Jul 2024 - Jan 2025
Key Responsibilities:
Established the visual identity and theme for a short film's visual effects.
Managed stakeholder expectations and educated the director on realistic production timelines.
Evolved into the lead project manager, coordinating between artists and the director.
Created schedules, managed assets, and ensured the project stayed on track.
In-Depth Story:
This role quickly evolved from pure artistry to project management. The director had a grand vision but no VFX background, leading to an unrealistic timeline. My first and most critical task was to have an honest conversation to manage expectations and create a viable production schedule. I became the bridge between the creative vision and the practical execution, ensuring the artists had what they needed while keeping the project aligned with the director's goals.
Projects
Project Lead, "Day 100" Animated Trailer
International Student Project
Nov 2024 - Jul 2025
Key Responsibilities:
Owned the entire project lifecycle from concept to completion.
Recruited, interviewed, and screened a remote, international team of 12 artists.
Managed the team across six different time zones, fostering a positive and accountable culture.
Implemented a sprint-based system to keep the nearly year-long project on track.
Conducted regular check-ins and troubleshooting sessions to support the team.
In-Depth Story:
The goal of this project was to simulate a professional VFX pipeline and learn to work together as a cohesive unit. My biggest challenge and achievement was building a strong, accountable culture with a team of student volunteers spread across the globe. By implementing a sprint system and maintaining open communication, I ensured everyone felt connected and motivated. We not only completed the project on time, but we also built lasting professional relationships, with several of us continuing to volunteer and work together on other initiatives.
Project Lead, "The Wellerman" Animated Short
International Student Project
Mar 2024 - Jun 2024
Key Responsibilities:
Pitched the initial project idea and was subsequently selected as the project lead.
Recruited a concept artist to join the interdisciplinary team of 6.
Managed the team to deliver the animated short within a tight, three-month deadline.
Ensured the final product successfully utilized every team member's unique skills.
In-Depth Story:
The primary challenge of this project was reverse-engineering a concept to fit the team's existing skills. We had a group of artists with diverse talents, and my job was to create a project that would give everyone a chance to contribute meaningfully. I had to learn on the fly how to manage a team and a production timeline. It was a rapid, hands-on lesson in leadership and collaborative problem-solving, and a testament to what a small, focused team can achieve under pressure.