Yueling (Linda) Lai

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Yueling (Linda) Lai ("Y(L") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

Y(L : I have a dual degree in Human-Computer Interaction and Psychology from the University of Washington, which gives me a strong understanding of both the technical and human aspects of design. My career spans from startup environments to my current role as Senior Product Designer at TikTok, where I lead global-scale business platform design and 0–1 innovations. My work has been recognized by Red Dot, A’ Design Award, IDEA, and other prestigious international awards.

DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

Y(L : I’ve always been fascinated by how design shapes human behavior and connects people. Seeing how thoughtful design can simplify complex problems inspired me to pursue UX/Product Design as a way to make technology more human.

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

Y(L : It was a deliberate choice, shaped by my passion for creativity, humanity, and technology since an early age. My background in psychology also deepened my empathy for users.

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

Y(L : I design user experiences (UX), interactions, and interfaces for digital products—ranging from AI-powered tools at TikTok to my award-winning caregiving app AlzCare. I most enjoy digital product and UX designs where innovation meets real human impact.

DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

Y(L : Stay curious, master your craft, and develop strong communication skills. Great design is not just about aesthetics—it’s about solving real problems and being able to advocate for your ideas.

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

Y(L : A good designer creates solutions that work. A great designer goes further—anticipating future needs, inspiring others, and creating lasting impact.

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

Y(L : A really good design solves the real human needs and true user problems. Good design is a combination of aesthetics and usability. I also look at how well it solves the intended problem, how intuitive it feels, and how sustainable it is over time.

DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

Y(L : Good UX design empowers humans by reducing friction and building trust with the technology/system, which can drive truly impactful positive change. Good design can increase business growth, improve human life, and even save lives.

DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

Y(L : I’d create inclusive digital tools for underserved communities—focusing on education, healthcare, and accessibility.

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

Y(L : An adaptive design platform powered by AI that can tailor interfaces in real time to users’ cognitive, cultural, and accessibility needs.

DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

Y(L : Empathy, supported by research and iteration. Understanding people deeply is the key to creating solutions that truly work for them.

DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

Y(L : I’m inspired by Dieter Rams for his timeless “less but better” principles, Jony Ive for creating products that are both iconic and intuitive, and Don Norman for championing human-centered design and making usability a universal priority.

DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

Y(L : Apple’s interface design—it’s cohesive, user-centric, and shows how a clear design philosophy can scale globally.

DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

Y(L : My recent award-winning project AlzCare—it balances complex caregiving needs with an accessible, emotionally supportive experience. It integrates AI technology to empower human needs.

DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

Y(L : Seek feedback often, stay updated on design trends and technology, and learn to tell the story behind your design decisions.

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

Y(L : I would have pursued a career in cognitive psychology, studying how people interact with technology.

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

Y(L : Digital product/UX design is intentional problem-solving that bridges humans and technologies, simplifying complexities and empowering humans.

DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

Y(L : Mentors, supportive colleagues, and my family—who encouraged me to pursue creativity from an early age.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

Y(L : A constant willingness to learn, an openness to feedback, and a deep belief that design should serve people.

DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

Y(L : Early on, I had to prove the value of design in business contexts and learn to navigate complex stakeholder environments, especially for complex B2B products.

DL: How do you think designers should present their work?

Y(L : Through clear storytelling—outlining the problem you are solving, process, and impact, supported by visual design concepts and systematic thinking.

DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?

Y(L : To create products that are innovative, inclusive, and socially impactful, and to mentor the next generation of designers.

DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

Y(L : Visionary thinking, consistent quality, and the ability to lead projects that inspire both users and fellow designers.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

Y(L : It makes technology more inclusive, accessible, and human—bridging gaps across cultures, abilities, and resources.

DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

Y(L : TikTok’s innovative generative AI creative tools that allow users to generate videos in seconds.

DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

Y(L : Projects where I can see real-world impact—like AlzCare, which addresses both emotional and practical needs for Alzheimer’s caregivers.

DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

Y(L : A stronger focus on accessibility, ethics, and sustainability as standard practice—not optional add-ons.

DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?

Y(L : Toward AI-assisted personalization and predictive experiences—balanced with human oversight to ensure ethics and empathy.

DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?

Y(L : With research—understanding the user, the problem, and the broader context before any concepts are created.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

Y(L : Design for people first; the impact will follow.