About
Hi, I'm Crystal, a senior product designer. I work best where design shapes decisions, not just ships features.
With 9+ years in product-led environments, I bring structure to complex problems, drive end-to-end product work, and help teams build in the same direction.
Best work happens where autonomy, ownership, and thoughtful collaboration are part of the culture.
Beyond the case studies
These questions say more about how I think.
1
What drew you into product design in the first place?
I grew up following my older brother, the first tech nerd I knew, into digital worlds. (He later became a hardware engineer.) At nine, I built my own homepage for a school competition, experimenting with falling snow effects and star-trailing cursors in Namo WebEditor, long before I knew what UX was.
1
What drew you into product design in the first place?
I grew up following my older brother, the first tech nerd I knew, into digital worlds. (He later became a hardware engineer.) At nine, I built my own homepage for a school competition, experimenting with falling snow effects and star-trailing cursors in Namo WebEditor, long before I knew what UX was.
2
How I approach design
For me, design starts with making complexity workable. Much of the work comes down to noticing hidden friction, building clarity, and making complex systems easier to understand. Tools change. Industries change. The deeper practice stays the same: asking better questions, then designing with clarity.
2
How I approach design
For me, design starts with making complexity workable. Much of the work comes down to noticing hidden friction, building clarity, and making complex systems easier to understand. Tools change. Industries change. The deeper practice stays the same: asking better questions, then designing with clarity.
3
Where do I create the most leverage?
I create the most leverage where product problems and team systems intersect. Often that means turning ambiguity into direction, aligning people around decisions, and building structure around messy problems. Much of my impact comes not just from improving products, but from strengthening how teams make decisions together.
3
Where do I create the most leverage?
I create the most leverage where product problems and team systems intersect. Often that means turning ambiguity into direction, aligning people around decisions, and building structure around messy problems. Much of my impact comes not just from improving products, but from strengthening how teams make decisions together.
4
What keeps expanding how I think?
Outside work, I’m shaped a lot by curiosity that doesn’t have an immediate use, the kind that leads into philosophy, science, and questions with no obvious practical payoff. Those interests quietly shape how I think about systems, uncertainty, and possibility.
5
What keeps me grounded
Yoga has been part of my life for over a decade, and good routines create room for better thinking. I’m also capable of losing an unreasonable amount of time thinking about black holes.
Experience & Impact
Experience & Impact
Sr. Product Designer / Creative Lead
May 2025 - Present
Siwon Management (Business Consulting and Services)
Drive unified product and design strategy across B2B/B2C business units, streamlining operations through scalable design systems and integrated brand experiences.
Sr. Product Designer / Creative Lead
May 2025 - Present
Siwon Management (Business Consulting and Services)
Drive unified product and design strategy across B2B/B2C business units, streamlining operations through scalable design systems and integrated brand experiences.
Product Designer
Mar 2023 - Apr 2024
Viceversa (Generative AI-Powered IT Startup)
Led the 0-to-1 design journey for VIIM. Specialized in architecting intuitive user experiences for generative AI services through autonomous end-to-end product management.
Product Designer
Mar 2023 - Apr 2024
Viceversa (Generative AI-Powered IT Startup)
Led the 0-to-1 design journey for VIIM. Specialized in architecting intuitive user experiences for generative AI services through autonomous end-to-end product management.
Product Designer
(Freelance: Sep - Dec 2021) Jan 2022 - Feb 2023
Parameta (Web3 & Blockchain Infrastructure)
Led product design for HAVAH. Specialized in simplifying complex blockchain operations into seamless, user-centric experiences.
Product Designer
(Freelance: Sep - Dec 2021) Jan 2022 - Feb 2023
Parameta (Web3 & Blockchain Infrastructure)
Led product design for HAVAH. Specialized in simplifying complex blockchain operations into seamless, user-centric experiences.
Freelance Designer
Dec 2019 - May 2021
Freelancer (Product, Brand & Strategy)
Strategic Product & Brand Designer for diverse clients, specializing in end-to-end visual identity systems and high-impact business proposals that drove measurable client growth
Freelance Designer
Dec 2019 - May 2021
Freelancer (Product, Brand & Strategy)
Strategic Product & Brand Designer for diverse clients, specializing in end-to-end visual identity systems and high-impact business proposals that drove measurable client growth
GUI/Product Designer
Oct 2016 - Oct 2019
RightBrain (Leading UX/UI Agency in Korea)
Delivered comprehensive UX/UI solutions for South Korea’s industry leaders (Telecom, OTT, Finance, Manufacturing), leading large-scale platform redesigns to optimize user engagement and brand consistency.
GUI/Product Designer
Oct 2016 - Oct 2019
RightBrain (Leading UX/UI Agency in Korea)
Delivered comprehensive UX/UI solutions for South Korea’s industry leaders (Telecom, OTT, Finance, Manufacturing), leading large-scale platform redesigns to optimize user engagement and brand consistency.
Community & Volunteering
Community & Volunteering
Organizer & Design Team Lead
May 2025 – Present
Vancouver KDD (Korean Tech Community)
Leading a design team of 3, overseeing the visual identity, design structure and creative strategy for developers and designers of Korean tech community based in Vancouver. Managing end-to-end design operations and delegating tasks to ensure consistent branding across community events and digital platforms.
Organizer & Design Team Lead
May 2025 – Present
Vancouver KDD (Korean Tech Community)
Leading a design team of 3, overseeing the visual identity, design structure and creative strategy for developers and designers of Korean tech community based in Vancouver. Managing end-to-end design operations and delegating tasks to ensure consistent branding across community events and digital platforms.
Product Design Judge of Hackathon
Feb 2026
FLUI Design Jam, Emily Carr University
Evaluated student-led design teams on client alignment, UX logic, and visual execution; provided strategic feedback and participated in live Q&A.
Product Design Judge of Hackathon
Feb 2026
FLUI Design Jam, Emily Carr University
Evaluated student-led design teams on client alignment, UX logic, and visual execution; provided strategic feedback and participated in live Q&A.
UX Design Mentor of Hackathon
Jan 2026
UBC UX Hub
Provided 1:1 UX mentorship to student teams during a design hackathon, focusing on problem framing, UX decision-making, and strategic direction.
UX Design Mentor of Hackathon
Jan 2026
UBC UX Hub
Provided 1:1 UX mentorship to student teams during a design hackathon, focusing on problem framing, UX decision-making, and strategic direction.
