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

Jinda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you ever had an amazing boss, mentor or leader leading you? Can you us a story or anecdote that helps illustrate why this person was such a great leader and the impact they had on you or their team?

Yes, I’ve been fortunate to have an amazing boss, Lillian. She played a pivotal role in shaping my career and personal growth. Let me share a story that perfectly illustrates why she was such a great leader and the impact she had on me.

After graduating with a degree in graphic design, I was at a crossroads. Unsure of my future, I decided to pursue a master’s degree in a field unrelated to design in the United States. However, even after completing my studies, I still felt lost about which direction to take.

It was at this point that Lillian, who led a fellowship group I was part of during my studies, stepped in. Just before I was about to leave the U.S. and return to my home country, I visited the group to say my goodbyes. When Lillian heard that I was leaving, she was surprised and expressed regret that I hadn’t found my path yet. Then, she did something incredible—she offered me a position in her tech company. This role was related to my master’s degree, and she encouraged me to stay in the U.S. a bit longer to explore this opportunity. I was stunned because I was less than 12 hours away from my flight. She simply said, “Think about it overnight.” After some contemplation, I decided to take the leap and accept her offer.

From the moment I joined her company, I noticed the lack of a user experience design focus, despite having excellent e-commerce solutions. I approached Lillian with the idea of taking on some design responsibilities in addition to my main role, and she didn’t just approve; she wholeheartedly encouraged me.

There was one particular project where we redesigned an online shopping experience. The process was overly complex, and many users dropped off before completing their purchases. Lillian suggested I conduct user research to find the problem areas. After weeks of interviews and testing, I redesigned the entire checkout flow. The result? A 30% increase in sales and a wave of positive user feedback about how enjoyable the new shopping experience was.

Her impact on me didn’t stop there. After a year in this role, I realized my growing passion for design. I proposed to Lillian that I transition to a full-time design role, and not only did she support me, but she also helped fund my second master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction. She believed in my potential, pushing me to apply my newfound knowledge directly to our projects, ultimately transforming our platform’s user experience.

Lillian was not just a boss; she was a true mentor. She showed me that design is about more than just aesthetics—it’s about solving real user problems. Her support gave me the confidence to explore, take risks, and pursue excellence. Her leadership had a profound impact on my career and who I am as a designer today.

Jinda, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am Jinda Zhong, a Product, UX/UI designer with a background in graphic design and human-computer interaction. My journey in design began during my undergraduate studies, where I majored in graphic design and built a strong foundation in visual aesthetics. Later, I came to the United States to further my studies, which helped me develop my skills in human-computer interaction and focus more on user experience design. Through these experiences, I discovered my passion for creating simple, intuitive user interfaces.

Currently, I specialize in providing exceptional user experience design services to clients. By conducting in-depth user research, I help businesses create digital products that resonate with their audience on an emotional level. I believe that a great design should be both beautiful and functional, not just meeting clients’ needs but also enhancing users’ daily experiences.

What sets me apart is my interdisciplinary design background and my multicultural perspective. This allows me to approach design challenges in a unique way, creating solutions that are both innovative and inclusive. I am most proud of my commitment to a user-centered design philosophy, paying attention to every detail to craft delightful experiences. For potential clients and followers, I want them to know that my design work is not just about visual appeal, but about solving real problems and delivering true value to users.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Yes, there are definitely a couple of resources I wish I had known about earlier in my creative journey. The first one is design resources. I think it’s incredibly helpful to use platforms like Freepik, Pinterest, and others to gather design assets and inspiration. Over time, building your own design resource library can be a game-changer. This could include things like a collection of high-quality stock photos, unique textures, typography sets, or UI component kits. Not only does this keep you updated on current design trends and styles, but it’s also a lifesaver when you hit a creative block or need a quick burst of inspiration. Instead of wasting hours trying to create something from scratch or searching endlessly for the right asset, you can just tap into your own resource library. It’s all about working smarter, not harder.

Another resource I wish I had leveraged earlier is the power of conversation—connecting and learning from others in the industry. For this, I highly recommend ADPlist. It’s an amazing platform where you can book free mentorship sessions with experienced designers from all over the world. There were times when I felt stuck, whether it was dealing with academic struggles or uncertainties in my career path, and what really made a difference was talking to others. Sometimes, we get so caught up in our own experiences that it’s hard to see things from a new perspective. Having those conversations with mentors who have gone through similar challenges can provide the insights and encouragement you need to push through those difficult moments. It’s not just about getting advice; it’s about expanding your viewpoint and learning how to navigate the creative world with confidence.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

One of my key responsibilities is to create customized e-commerce websites for clients. After completing hundreds of these projects, I’ve learned a few important things about maintaining strong client relationships and fostering brand loyalty.

First, understanding the client’s needs is crucial. It’s about really listening to what they want and then evaluating if we can meet those needs and to what extent. Clear communication is key here—not just being friendly, but also showcasing our professionalism and expertise.

The most important lesson I’ve learned is that we often need to subtly train our clients. Many of them don’t have any design experience, so they rely heavily on the templates we provide, making simple changes like swapping images or adjusting theme colors. Sometimes, clients might come up with requests that are not ideal, such as using clashing colors or color schemes that lack proper contrast. This is where we need to guide them. When you have to reject a client’s idea, it’s not enough to just say “no.” You need to provide a better alternative and clearly explain why it’s the best choice. It’s about showing your expertise and the value you bring to the table.

Through this process, clients begin to see the benefit of our guidance and the quality of the design solutions we provide, which helps build their trust and loyalty. Of course, communication and design are just part of the equation. It’s also essential that our company offers a high level of service from end to end—from initial client interactions and website construction to the technical support behind the scenes. This holistic approach is what really strengthens client relationships and keeps them coming back.

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jinda-zhong