Meet Lei Ye

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lei Ye. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Lei with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

My work ethic is deeply rooted in my upbringing and life experiences. Growing up, I watched my father, an architect in China, dedicate himself to his craft. He always emphasized the importance of perseverance, precision, and creativity in everything he did. This instilled in me a sense of responsibility and a passion for creating meaningful work.

Over the years, my education and professional journey have further shaped my work ethic. Studying at institutions like Harvard and UC Berkeley taught me the value of discipline and intellectual curiosity, while working across industries—from startups to global firms—helped me understand the importance of collaboration, adaptability, and delivering impact-driven results.

At the core of my work ethic is a belief that design can drive positive change. Whether it’s creating tools that improve workplace efficiency or designing platforms that shed light on social justice issues, I approach every project with purpose and a commitment to excellence. I see every challenge as an opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully to the world around me.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a product designer with a focus on creating meaningful, impactful experiences through design. My professional journey has taken me across diverse industries and project scales, from designing mobile applications for senior-focused healthcare startups to crafting internal tools that enhance efficiency and collaboration for global firms. Each step has taught me the power of design to solve complex problems and connect people with solutions.

One of the most exciting aspects of my work is how design can serve as a bridge between data, creativity, and storytelling. For example, my recent project, BeyondNO (Beyond Number), is an online platform designed for the 2024 Data for Black Lives (D4BL) Conference. This platform allows users to explore data visualizations highlighting social justice issues, reflect on the deeper stories behind the numbers, and create personalized digital posters that memorialize these insights. It’s a project close to my heart because it demonstrates how design can amplify critical conversations and foster a sense of connection and reflection.

Beyond individual projects, I’m passionate about pushing the boundaries of design thinking. Whether it’s experimenting with generative design or addressing real-world challenges like data migration and accessibility, I’m constantly exploring new ways design can impact society positively.

As for what’s new, I’m thrilled to be working on BeyondNO, which has been exhibited at the Pérez Art Museum Miami during the D4BL conference. This project combines interactive installations, data visualization, and digital experiences to invite attendees to think critically about the stories data tells and how they intersect with human struggles and victories. I’m also honored to have received several design awards this year, including the 2024 American Good Design Gold Award and the DNA Paris Design Award, which reflect the creative and impactful work I strive to achieve.

Looking ahead, I’m focused on continuing to explore the intersection of design and social impact. I believe that as designers, we have a responsibility to not only solve problems but also create opportunities for empathy, understanding, and dialogue. Whether through collaborative projects, mentoring emerging designers, or contributing to meaningful initiatives, I aim to keep pushing the boundaries of what design can achieve.”

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, three qualities or skills have been the most impactful in my journey as a designer and creative professional:

1. Curiosity and Lifelong Learning
Throughout my career, curiosity has been my compass. Whether it was diving into data visualization techniques, exploring generative design trends, or understanding the nuances of different industries, staying curious allowed me to continually evolve and bring fresh perspectives to my work.
Advice: For those early in their journey, embrace a mindset of lifelong learning. Read widely, attend workshops, ask questions, and never stop seeking new knowledge. The design world is constantly evolving, and staying curious will keep you ahead of the curve.

2. Empathy and User-Centric Thinking
Design is ultimately about people. Understanding the needs, emotions, and behaviors of users has been crucial in creating impactful solutions—whether designing for elderly users in healthcare or facilitating data-driven conversations around social justice.
Advice: Hone your empathy skills by actively listening to users, conducting interviews, and stepping into their shoes. Practice active observation and immerse yourself in the user’s context to uncover insights that might not be immediately obvious.

3. Resilience and Adaptability
The design process often involves iteration, feedback, and unexpected challenges. Resilience helped me navigate setbacks, and adaptability allowed me to pivot when needed—skills that were especially valuable in fast-paced projects or high-stakes environments.
Advice: Build resilience by viewing challenges as opportunities to grow. Learn to embrace feedback constructively and see failure as a stepping stone to success. Being adaptable also means staying open to change and exploring different solutions without getting overly attached to any single idea.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

I believe the answer lies in a balance between the two: leveraging your strengths while also addressing areas of growth strategically. Both approaches play a vital role in achieving personal and professional success, and which one to emphasize depends on your goals and context.

Your strengths are what make you unique and allow you to create the most significant impact. By going all in on what you excel at, you can differentiate yourself and build confidence. For example, early in my design career, I realized my strengths lay in storytelling and data visualization. By honing these skills, I was able to create projects like BeyondNO (Beyond Number), which uses design to connect people with social justice issues through data. This project not only earned recognition but also resonated deeply with audiences, showing me the power of doubling down on what I do best.

That said, I’ve also learned the importance of improving weaker areas, particularly when they’re critical to your long-term goals. Early in my career, I struggled with articulating my design rationales clearly, which sometimes hindered collaboration with cross-functional teams. Recognizing this, I sought mentorship from colleagues like Andy, who guided me on framing my thought process and communicating effectively. Over time, this became a strength and opened up new opportunities for leadership and influence.

Focusing solely on strengths might limit your adaptability, while obsessing over weaknesses can lead to frustration or burnout. For me, the key has been to prioritize growth in areas that complement my strengths or are necessary for my role. For example, as a designer, I didn’t aim to become a coding expert but instead learned enough to collaborate effectively with engineers and understand the technical constraints of my designs.

Reflect on where your strengths can have the most impact and where your weaknesses might be holding you back. Seek feedback from mentors and peers to identify these areas. Remember that growth is a lifelong process, and you don’t need to be perfect at everything—focus on what will help you achieve your vision and contribute meaningfully to your team or community.

At the end of the day, strengths are what fuel your passion, and addressing growth areas builds resilience and versatility. Together, they create a foundation for long-term success.

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ye-lei/