Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jessica Kewei Lin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jessica, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Too often the media represents innovation as something magical that only high-flying tech billionaires and upstarts engage in – but the truth is almost every business owner has to regularly innovate in small and big ways in order for their businesses to survive and thrive. Can you share a story that highlights something innovative you’ve done over the course of your career?
An illustrative example from my career is the creation of PulseHeal, a platform that has revolutionized the way Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is accessed globally. The primary challenge was to make TCM accessible to the modern audience, a complex task given the depth and breadth of TCM practices. The journey began with a critical inquiry: “How might we reintroduce the forgotten aspects of Chinese traditional medicine culture to the global community?” This query was set on a path of extensive research and deep engagement with potential users through in-depth interviews. During these conversations, it became evident that there was a broad interest in the gentle, holistic benefits of TCM, although many were unsure of how to begin their journey with these ancient practices. The users’ insights were crucial in identifying user needs and preferences, as it was concluded that there was a strong demand for professional diagnostic services, customized health assessments, and easy access to medicinal solutions.
Armed with valuable insights, PulseHeal was developed as a comprehensive digital platform that offers TCM diagnosis, consultation, and the procurement of medicinal products. Users can now evaluate their health through pulse diagnosis and consultations with practitioners, receive personalized health reports and recommendations, and conveniently purchase TCM products online. The innovation and inclusivity of PulseHeal were recognized with prestigious design awards, including the Asian Design Prize, London Design Awards, and International Design Awards, demonstrating my commitment to simplifying and popularizing TCM for a diverse user base, thereby contributing significantly to the field of digital wellness and illustrating how innovation can transcend industry boundaries to preserve and promote cultural heritage.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m Jessica, an award-winning user experience designer with a background in graphic design and programming. Initially rooted in graphic design, my passion for blending aesthetic appeal with functional design led me to explore the broader implications of my work. My interest extended beyond making beautiful graphics; I aspired to create extensive technology solutions that are not only innovative but inclusively transformative.
My approach is deeply rooted in the belief that design is a tool for social change, and I have a relentless drive to contribute to a more inclusive world. This has been the driving force behind my engagement with various non-profit organizations, like Out in Tech, benefit.design, Tech Fleet, and Develop for Good, where I was dedicated to addressing the needs of diverse populations, including the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, immigrant women, and entities like the Upmost Foundation, which is dedicated to wildlife conservation. While I always strive to approach my work with a human-centered design philosophy, which has enabled me to tackle a wide range of projects across various sectors, I am always seeking to refine my craft and deepen my understanding of how design can help address complex societal and cultural issues. Through each pixel and line of code, I aim to dissolve barriers and build bridges, ensuring that the digital world is accessible and representative of all.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a user experience designer for me is the ability to transform complex problems into accessible solutions. As a designer who is always committed to crafting innovative and effective designs, I understand the importance of conducting comprehensive research for each of the projects I worked on, which allows me to delve deep into people’s needs through empathy. I always immersed myself in the problem space to think from the user’s perspective so that I could gain a nuanced understanding of the challenges they faced, which helped me create designs that precisely targeted their needs. Conducting user testing is also an important aspect, as it adds another layer to fully ensure that the final product truly resonates with the end users. It always brings me immense satisfaction to witness users interact with the solutions I created, knowing that my work has simplified a process or brightened someone’s day.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
The goal driving my creative journey is to develop and implement solutions that not only address the needs of mainstream communities but also champion inclusivity at every level of design. Technology and design should be equally engaging and functional for people from diverse backgrounds, abilities, and experiences. I am passionate about developing comprehensive solutions that can cater to all user cases, taking into account the emotions and motivations of the users and striving my best to make the product usable, useful, and enjoyable for everyone. I worked towards building a more equitable and inclusive digital landscape through each of the projects I did, and I would like to inspire more people to join this mission, amplifying the impact and driving collective progress toward a future that could be beneficial for all.
