We were lucky to catch up with Melody (yu-hsuan) Hsu recently and have shared our conversation below.
Melody (Yu-Hsuan), thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I’ve started many interviews and blogs with “as an international student…” and this one’s no different. This was my origin story, where resilience wasn’t pretty. For years, I had to fight for my place in spaces where I didn’t belong—both in tangible environments and in more ambiguous forms of existence. The pressure to succeed was deeply tied to the sentiment that everything I had worked for, everything I had given up or traded in, could not be in vain. So, I left no opportunity unturned.
But this kind of resilience is inherently conflicted. It’s like pulling yourself through burnout because you’re too scared to fail, yet not feeling creative enough to thrive. It’s a vicious cycle that feeds on fear. Eventually, I was met with an unkind awakening that I had to shift my mindset out of this place of scarcity. Because resilience is nothing but endurance if not accompanied by direction.
Not long ago, I came across the question, “Is believing in yourself or loving yourself more important?” I felt inclined to say, “Of course, loving yourself unconditionally is the most important,” but deep down, I didn’t feel that way. I almost felt ashamed to admit that, given the prevailing emphasis on self-love and self-care in today’s society. The reality is that many people—mostly international students, people of color, or anyone who’s felt out of place—might relate. Because when you are your own biggest advocate, there feels no room for softness, no room for rest.
To many of us, believing in ourselves means being scared and doing it anyway. It means discipline—pushing through tasks even when every fiber of your being wants to quit. It means maintaining joyful militancy. This tension brings to light the importance of self-belief, but what makes this different from mere endurance is the way we make room for love.
In short, there were many versions of me I did not love because they held values that hindered me from becoming the person I wanted to be. I outgrew them because I believed I could, and I do this over and over again. Through it all, I found love for myself in my strength to try again and in my openness to the ever-changing world. What once scared me about the future now sparks excitement within me.
That’s what resilience is to me, to us, as emerging change-bringers. You must first believe you can, then love yourself for trying—through every choice.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a “Designer for the People.” I believe the soul of art and design lies in the human experience, with its heart in service.
Currently, I serve as the Community Engagement Manager for Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. This role allows me to blend my diverse background—from production design in film to socially engaged art-making and content creation in marketing—into efforts that contribute to placemaking and support Santa Monica’s economy.
In my position, I manage a $135K creative development and advertising budget to generate impactful campaigns that foster engagement and drive economic vitality. What excites me most is the opportunity for community asset mapping and advocating for inclusive spaces while cultivating meaningful experiences. I also champion a budget for content creation to amplify the voices of emerging creators interested in promoting our downtown. If you’re an influencer, photographer, videographer, or blogger, let’s work together!
How did I end up here? Fresh out of college, I began my career in production design for stage and screen, where I loved working with directors to articulate their visions, often creating elements they didn’t even know they wanted or imagined possible. During COVID, I returned to school to pursue a master’s in civic media design and explore new ways of meaningful change. In the summer of 2021, I completed a fellowship with the Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics in Boston, marking my transition from designing for entertainment to civic engagement. Initially, I doubted myself; as an emerging creative, I felt too young and inexperienced. Yet that fear kept me authentic—it taught me to listen. By the end of that 8-week fellowship, I embraced the duality within me: a sensitive artist and a determined changemaker. This affirmation guided me as I pursued opportunities to complete the cross-industry puzzle of my multidisciplinary path.
Identifying as a designer for the people extends beyond my work; it’s my ethos to inspire hope and connection—by any means necessary. There’s no single formula or easy explanation. My journey has been about breaking barriers and defying expectations ever since I first stepped foot in this country. From receiving the Student Award of Distinction for my impact on my college community—despite not holding a major leadership role—to being the only international student during my summer fellowship for the City of Boston, and later becoming the youngest representative for my organization at the 2024 West Coast Urban District Forum, these experiences are a testament to the power of being bold and creating impact from the ground up. They fuel my commitment to paving the way for others like me.
I want the world to know that success isn’t defined by titles but by alignment with your purpose. If you can’t find a title that fits, carve out your own. Just because it lacks a label doesn’t mean it’s any less valid—it simply means no one has traveled this path before.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Empathy, curiosity, and knowing how to utilize community assets. The first two are self-explanatory, but let me explain what I mean by utilizing community assets.
I define community assets as the connections around you that provide support and resources. You identify these assets by building relationships and fostering a feedback loop, whether with one person, a group of friends, or an entire community. These are people who show up for each other, sharing and exchanging value that transcends monetary gains. It’s about recognizing each other’s expertise and working together on an idea, a project, or a vision for a shared future.
The strengths around you help you grow, and in turn, you help others flourish.
In civic work, it’s easy to feel that the world is too big and we are too small. But you unlock the collective power that comes when you’re not afraid to ask for help and offer it in return.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
One book that has profoundly impacted my career and personal development is Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Compassion by Marshall Rosenberg. This book opened my eyes to how the English language can be misused, revealing ways we may unknowingly express ourselves ineffectively.
This book helped me articulate how culture shapes our communication styles, emphasizing that a true understanding of language requires empathy. I use NVC as a guide to be more mindful of my words and to seek clarity in my interactions, recognizing that language transcends mere expression; it has the power to strengthen or weaken human connections on an energetic level.
More importantly, Rosenberg not only explains but also demonstrates how we can maintain a balance between taking accountability for our own emotions and being compassionate toward others’ feelings without assuming responsibility for them. This balance fosters healthier relationships in both personal and professional settings—especially for women of color in a society that often socializes us to ignore our own needs while caring for others.
If you happen to be reading or have read this book, I would love to discuss!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.melodyhsu.design/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_melodyhsu/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melodyhsuu/
Image Credits
Headshots by Kathlyn Almeida (@photosbykathlyn)
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
