Meet Iting Chen | Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Iting Chen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Iting, what is the most important factor behind your success?
It’s been an incredible journey so far. I’ve been a part of the design industry for over a decade. I am currently working and living in the USA but I grew up in Taiwan and I lived in Korea for a year. I feel grateful for the opportunity to use my design skills to make a living and explore various cultures along the way.

What makes my story unique is my willingness to persevere and stay open to opportunities, even if they don’t come knocking right away. Sometimes, you have to take chances and you never know what hidden opportunities might be waiting for you. I have always had big dreams for my career, and I took a big risk by moving to San Francisco from Taiwan in 2018 to get a masters in design. I was not entirely sure what to expect at the time, but now, 5 years later, I am working as a visual designer for a marketing agency based in NYC. It’s incredible to see my projects being recognized with awards from Adweeks and Bizbash!

If you asked me a decade ago, I might not have believed that I could achieve all this. However, by stepping out of my comfort zone with an open-minded mindset, starting with even the smallest tasks, and doing my best, I built trust and credibility with people around me. A good attitude and a humble approach to learning from others have truly paved the way for my journey. As I continue to cherish my career and the beauty of nature, I hope my story inspires others to embrace opportunities, no matter how tiny they may seem, and to foster an open-minded outlook that can lead to incredible achievements.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am so grateful to have the opportunity to help my team represent some of the most recognizable brands in the world. Many of our clients have spent countless hours over decades developing their brands, and am humbled at the trust they place in our team to continue to develop their brands. The work is competitive and the hours can be long, but it is incredibly rewarding to see our finished products live in production. As the primary digital designer on the projects and only one on my team with a UI/UX background, I have enjoyed seeing my work shine through in the finished product. I’ve detailed a few of my favorite projects below.

1. Kohl’s Holiday Build-a-List
The Kohl’s Holiday Project holds a special place in my heart because it brings so much joy! I had the opportunity to lead the visual and UX digital aspects of the experience from concept to launch. The KOHL’s Build-a-List sweepstakes microsite was part of a larger physical one-day Christmas pop-up experience in New York City. It was incredible to see how this microsite expanded the brand’s holiday campaign beyond the online space, creating an immersive brand experience for customers. It was a successful and memorable holiday season for KOHL’s.

2. House of HomeGoods
House of HomeGoods was a thrilling project! In the winter of 2022, HomeGoods introduced this new program, allowing customers to book a weekend getaway in Hudson Valley, NY, for just $29.99 per night from the House of HomeGoods microsite. Working on the digital booking experience was both challenging and rewarding. We had a tight timeline, but effective communication with developers and project managers helped us overcome obstacles. Sometimes, asking quick questions and being proactive can prevent bigger issues down the line.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would be thrilled to show my best friend around my favorite city, San Francisco! Our adventure would begin with a leisurely morning stroll through the iconic Golden Gate Park to the legendary Tartine Bakery for a croissant and coffee. From there, we can go to museums like the De Young Museum or the California Academy of Sciences. Finally, we could finish with a breathtaking sunset at the inspiring Immigration Point, which is my go-to in San Francisco for a relaxing evening walk after work. The panoramic view is simply stunning, and it’s an excellent spot to unwind and take in the beauty of the city.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am so grateful for my family and friends from all over the world who loved and supported me along the way.

Website: https://itingchen.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/i-ting-chen-87b057ab/

Image Credits
Kohl’s Build-a-List Photo from TH Experiential website