Meet Li Wei

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Li Wei a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Li, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

I have always been quite shy, especially as a child, and speaking in public used to terrify me. Over time, I realized that developing confidence and self-esteem starts with doing something you love and are good at. For me, that came through choosing architecture as my major. I found my true passion within the field—interior design—and it has been an incredible journey.

The design process, particularly when I’m in the flow, brings me a sense of fulfillment that boosts my confidence. I truly enjoy what I do, and because I enjoy it, I find myself excelling at it. As I improve and work harder, I also receive positive feedback from others. This reinforcement has played a huge role in motivating me to continue growing and pushing forward.

Over time, as I became more skilled and confident in my craft, my self-esteem grew. I developed a strong sense of self, grounded in the things I’m passionate about and good at. Now, I’m able to communicate with others more openly, and I’ve built a more stable sense of who I am, which has greatly contributed to my self-esteem.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m currently working as an interior designer, where I have the privilege of contributing to a variety of projects, including healthcare, higher education, and workplace environments. Each project type presents its own unique challenges and rewards, and I love the diversity in what I do.

What excites me most about interior design is the impact I can have on people’s lives. For example, when designing a hospital, my goal is to create spaces that go beyond just aesthetics. I want the design to contribute to healing by offering a sense of comfort, calm, and home-like warmth for patients, helping to ease their stress during difficult times. I also design spaces for doctors and staff that encourage collaboration and improve their efficiency, making their work environment more productive and less stressful.

For me, interior design isn’t just about creating beautiful spaces—it’s about making a meaningful difference. It’s my way of changing the world. The most rewarding part of my work is knowing that my designs can help make people’s lives better, whether it’s through comfort, functionality, or a sense of well-being.

As of now, I’m continuing to focus on expanding my expertise across these sectors and developing new, innovative ways to create spaces that truly serve the people who use them. I’m excited about the future of my work and the opportunities to keep learning and growing in this ever-evolving field.

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, I believe the three most impactful qualities on my journey have been sincerity, courage, and smart work. A senior once shared a piece of advice that stuck with me: “Be yourself.” In the field of architecture and interior design, it’s easy to get caught up in idolizing the many incredible masters and trying to imitate their style. I did the same early on—aspiring to become the next big name. But over time, I realized that the most important thing is not to copy others but to focus on who you are as a person and a designer.

Sincerity is about being true to yourself and letting that authenticity shine through in your work. Courage is needed to step out of your comfort zone, try new things, and face challenges head-on. Smart work, meanwhile, is crucial because it’s not just about working hard—it’s about working effectively, learning from others, and always improving.

Don’t be afraid to show who you are through your work. Have the courage to explore your unique path, even if it’s not the most conventional. You may not become the next Zaha Hadid, but you can become the best version of yourself, and that’s more than enough.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

The number one challenge I’m currently facing is navigating the complexities of being an Asian woman in a male-dominated industry, especially in an unfamiliar country where English is not my native language. It’s not just my personal dilemma, but one that many immigrants face as they try to carve out a space for themselves in a new environment.

For me, this challenge goes beyond language or gender—it’s also about dealing with cultural shock. Not only do I experience the cultural differences between my home country and the United States, but I also anticipate the long-term process of adapting to and balancing both cultures as I continue to live here. I’ve come to think of myself as a “global citizen” rather than someone tied to a single place or region. Every place I’ve lived and every culture I’ve been exposed to has contributed to shaping who I am today.

I’ve embraced my East Asian background and the understanding of my own culture, but I’ve also sought to learn from the cultures I encounter. I accept the aspects that resonate with me, which I believe only enriches my perspective as a designer. I hope to see design as something transcendent of borders, with each designer bringing their own unique characteristics to the table. The diversity of cultures, experiences, and backgrounds that shape me only make me a more adaptable, open-minded, and versatile designer.

To overcome this challenge, I focus on building my own identity in a way that blends my heritage with the experiences I’ve gathered here. I work on continuously improving my communication skills, embracing cross-cultural learning, and confidently integrating my own voice into my design work.