We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Freya Young a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Freya, so great to have you sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our readers and so let’s jump right into one of our favorite topics – empathy. We think a lack of empathy is at the heart of so many issues the world is struggling with and so our hope is to contribute to an environment that fosters the development of empathy. Along those lines, we’d love to hear your thoughts around where your empathy comes from?
The conditions that allowed me to develop my empathy were rooted in a profound shift in perspective and a journey into a pluralistic understanding of the world. My empathy emerged as I began to see the world not just through human eyes but through the lens of other species and ecosystems.
As a high school student, my fascination with exotic pets opened a doorway to this shift. I was captivated by their beauty and uniqueness, which led me to learn about their natural forms and habitats. Over time, I realized that these animals were most beautiful when they thrived in their wild environments. This realization sparked a deep passion for wildlife and conservation and a recognition of the intrinsic connections between domestic and exotic species and the wilderness they come from.
This new perspective allowed me to empathize with the struggles of other creatures on Earth, many of which were caused by human actions. I remember being particularly moved by the plight of the white-flag dolphin, an endangered species in China. As a middle schooler, I saved my allowance and donated it to a research institute dedicated to conserving the last known white-flag dolphin in captivity. Although their population’s future seemed bleak, this experience heightened my ability to empathize with other species and strengthened my resolve to advocate for them.
My journey into pluralism deepened further during a wildlife photography training camp, where I tracked a wild Skywalker gibbon family with forest rangers. For the first time, I experienced the world from a non-human perspective. I didn’t just observe the gibbons—I immersed myself in their environment. I felt the textures of their landscape, heard their songs echoing through the rainforest, and smelled the scents of the earth. This multi-sensory experience was transformative, allowing me to truly step into the plural verse of life and feel a deep connection to beings different from myself.
By shifting my perspective and embracing the pluralism of life on Earth, I was able to cultivate empathy, not just for animals but for the interconnected systems that sustain us all. These experiences taught me that understanding the world through diverse lenses is key to fostering compassion, a lesson that continues to shape how I engage with others and advocate for a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My story has been deeply shaped by my love for art, nature, and design. I graduated from Connecticut College in 2019 with a double major in Biological Sciences (Ecology concentration) and Art, which allowed me to merge my curiosity about the natural world with my creative passions. These dual interests became the foundation for my professional journey, inspiring me to explore the intersections between creativity, environmental conservation, and human-centered design.
After graduation, I worked for several international NGOs in China, where I contributed to impactful conservation and education initiatives. At Pacific Environment, I served as a project consultant, coordinating a series of remote international workshops focused on advocating for plastic reduction policies. Later, as an assistant project officer for Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden in Hainan Province, I designed, curated, and coordinated an awareness-raising exhibition dedicated to conserving the endangered Hainan Eld’s Deer. These roles were pivotal in shaping my approach to education and design, showing me how thoughtful, creative storytelling could foster empathy and inspire action for environmental causes.
My passion for nature education and design continued when I interned with a Beijing-based nature education company, where I curated a pop-up conservation exhibition. These experiences deepened my understanding of how design can serve as a powerful tool for raising awareness and inspiring change around critical environmental issues.
In 2023, I earned a Master of Arts degree in Design from Carnegie Mellon University, where I specialized in interaction design. My graduate studies expanded my understanding of how human-centered design can create meaningful, inclusive, and sustainable experiences. I applied this knowledge during internships at OPPO as a UX researcher and Meituan as a UX designer, where I worked on innovative solutions to enhance user experiences while addressing real-world challenges.
Today, as an interaction designer, I aspire to create experiences that are not only delightful and meaningful but also environmentally responsible. My work often reflects my belief in celebrating humanity through design, whether it’s through crafting inclusive digital interfaces, advocating for sustainability, or exploring the intersection of art and technology.
Currently, I’m working on several exciting projects. My design thesis focuses on the role of mindful creation in fostering transcendent experiences and innovating intangible cultural heritage. I’m also developing an app called LIMO, a digital fair and marketplace for designers, artists, and craftsmen to exchange ideas, inspirations, and goods, encouraging sustainable and humane creation practices.
Beyond my professional work, I am passionate about entrepreneurship, art creation, sustainable design and fashion, and nature education. My journey continues to be guided by a commitment to creating a more compassionate, sustainable, and beautifully designed world. Stay tuned for updates on my projects, including product launches and participatory workshops that aim to inspire and engage diverse communities.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, three key qualities and skills have been pivotal in shaping my journey: curiosity, collaboration, and critical thinking. Curiosity has been my driving force, inspiring me to explore, learn, and connect deeply with the world. It has taught me the value of observing the details of everyday life, whether through sketching real-life scenes or analyzing natural systems. This habit of observation has not only grounded my creative process but also served as an endless source of inspiration. I’ve learned that inspiration often comes from paying attention to the world’s intricacies, which are easy to overlook but rich with meaning.
Collaboration has also been instrumental. The ability to work effectively within a team, especially as a professional designer, knowing my strengths while being open to learning from others, has allowed me to thrive in diverse environments. I’ve discovered that teamwork isn’t just about contributing your share, it’s also about creating synergy by building on collective strengths. Being a smart team player means actively listening, communicating clearly, and understanding how to leverage everyone’s expertise to achieve a shared goal. This mindset has helped me form meaningful partnerships and deliver impactful results.
Critical thinking and purpose-driven design are perhaps the most essential. The ability to ask the right questions, challenge assumptions, and focus on meaningful problems has shaped how I approach my work. I’ve always prioritized understanding people’s needs before jumping into solutions, ensuring that technology serves a purpose rather than becoming an end in itself. My empathy for the natural world and my visual sensibility, cultivated through art, have given me a unique perspective in creating work that resonates deeply and solves real-world issues.
For anyone starting their journey, my advice is to nurture curiosity by immersing yourself in the world around you. Observe the details, take inspiration from life, and pursue a passion in a traditional discipline like art, biology, or music to ground your creative explorations. Embrace collaboration by understanding your strengths and actively learning from others, as teamwork is essential for achieving greater outcomes. Finally, develop your critical thinking skills and focus on solving problems that truly matter. Let people’s needs guide your work, and use technology as a tool to create meaningful and impactful solutions. These practices will help you build a foundation for a fulfilling and purpose-driven career.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
The number one challenge I’m currently facing is staying focused and maintaining determination and perseverance amidst the many ideas and ambitions on my schedule. I often find myself juggling multiple tasks and projects, all of which I’m deeply passionate about, but this can make it difficult to prioritize effectively. The key challenge lies in narrowing my focus to the most important one or two goals while still leaving room for fresh ideas and inspiration to enter the process. Striking this balance is essential for staying on track without stifling creativity.
To overcome this challenge, I’ve been working on refining my ability to prioritize by constantly evaluating what aligns most closely with my long-term vision and goals. I’ve adopted a structured approach to task management, breaking down larger objectives into smaller, actionable steps and setting realistic timelines for their completion. At the same time, I’ve cultivated practices that encourage openness to inspiration, such as keeping a journal to capture new ideas and setting aside time for creative exploration.
Staying focused doesn’t mean shutting out possibilities. I think it also means creating a framework where the best ideas can emerge without overwhelming the process. By combining disciplined focus with an open mind, I’m learning to balance ambition with execution, ensuring that I move steadily toward my goals while remaining adaptable and inspired.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://freyayoung.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/freyayoung/
