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

Becky, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about one of the craziest things you’ve experienced in your journey so far.

In the realm of design and creativity, I, a senior UX designer with a background in industrial design, embarked on an extraordinary journey that would redefine my career. Despite my role at Baidu’s iQiyi in China, I harbored a dream of establishing my own design studio. In 2019, a unique opportunity arose to design a book dedicated to the “Father of Chinese Dance,” Willy Tsao. The project was exclusive, allowing for experimentation, but time was limited.

Our first meeting was nerve-wracking as I had just graduated from Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts and was meeting a renowned artist. However, we connected effortlessly, and witnessing Tsao’s contemporary dance performances left a profound impact. Inspired by his dedication, I poured my heart into designing the book, overcoming challenges like text revisions and tight deadlines with my printing partner.

The book’s cover featured abstract dance captured through time-lapse photography, and completing the intricate layout within the short timeframe was challenging. Nevertheless, we succeeded, delivering the finished books in time for Tsao’s significant performance. This project marked a turning point in my career, inspiring me to establish my design studio fueled by passion.

In essence, my story exemplifies the power of curiosity, determination, and embracing the unknown. As a senior UX designer, I carry the lessons of this unconventional journey, a constant reminder of what can be achieved when creativity knows no bounds.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi, I’m Becky, a multifaceted product designer and prototyper currently based in Toronto.

With over five years of experience in prominent tech companies like Grab and Baidu, agencies like ThoughtWorks, and startups, I’m an efficient and empathetic problem-solver.

My passion lies in applying design thinking to create holistic user experiences that harmoniously blend user needs, business objectives, and technological potential across web, mobile, TV, and XR platforms. I’ve honed my skills in visualization and multimodal interaction design since the age of six, exploring various art forms.

My journey began with a background in industrial design from Luxun Academy of Fine Arts, one of China’s top eight art academies. Five years into my career, I co-founded Double L Design Studio with my partner. We specialize in providing end-to-end brand design, digital product design, user experience measurement, and more for startups across various industries. The name “Double L” is derived from a Chinese idiom that translates to “achieving twice the result with half the effort,” reflecting our mission to leverage design for maximum business impact.

Additionally, I pursued a master’s degree at OCAD University, focusing on creative programming and human-computer interaction. With this academic foundation, I also serve as an XR rapid prototyper and researcher at OCAD University’s ACE Lab.

Double L has successfully assisted numerous North American startups in securing funding and delivered captivating event designs for large corporations.

Feel free to connect with me to explore how we can collaborate on your next project!

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

I’ve known my partner for many years; we initially crossed paths during a student business hackathon. Our shared objective brought us together, and during that event, we worked tirelessly. I particularly impressed my partner by creating an impressive motion design project from scratch in record time. I also greatly admired her calm demeanor, meticulous thinking, keen judgment, and strong business acumen.

Our collaboration was a resounding success, as we clinched the top spot and a cash prize in our very first competition together. Over multiple rewarding collaborations, we built trust, which eventually led us to become business partners and establish Double L.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

As a Senior UX Designer, my reputation in the market has been established through a combination of factors. Years of industry experience have provided a solid foundation, while a standout portfolio highlights my design expertise. Continuous learning and a commitment to user-centric design keep me at the forefront of industry trends. Effective collaboration with cross-functional teams and active involvement in industry events contribute to my reputation. Strong client relationships and a focus on exceeding expectations further enhance my standing, attracting new opportunities and advancing my career.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.behance.net/beckyliu9
• Instagram: b_ecky_liu
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiaminliu/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/JM_LIU_Becky

Image Credits
The images are sourced from my own design and photography efforts.