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

Hi Claire, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve always been drawn to creativity and problem-solving, and UX design felt like the perfect place to bring those together. For me, it was never just about making something look nice, it’s about creating experiences that actually make sense to people and feel good to use.

What I love most about UX is how it transforms creativity into something genuinely useful. You get to dive deep into understanding real people, experiment with ideas based on what you learn, and then see the impact immediately in how someone navigates a product or service.

There’s something incredibly fulfilling about knowing your visions and creative decisions are making someone’s day a little easier or more enjoyable.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is rooted in human connection and storytelling. I create work that goes beyond aesthetics to spark curiosity and meaningful interaction.

The journey hasn’t always been easy, but challenges taught me resilience and the importance of staying authentic. What I want people to take away from my work is a sense of vision — an invitation to pause, connect, and imagine new possibilities.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was in town for a week, I’d show them a little bit of everything I love about LA: morning coffee and murals in the Arts District, a full beach day in Malibu, sunrise hikes at Griffith Park, and a Koreatown night with BBQ. We’d hit up local galleries, grab tacos from my favorite spots, and end with sunset drinks overlooking the water.

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 want to give a big shout-out to my family and my mentors for their incredible support and impact on my life.

My family has been my foundation, always there with love, encouragement, and the belief that I could pursue my goals even when things felt uncertain. Their constant support has given me the confidence to keep going, no matter what challenges I’ve faced.

I’m also deeply grateful to my mentors who have guided me along the way. Their wisdom, advice, and willingness to share their experiences have helped me grow not only professionally but personally as well. They’ve pushed me to think bigger, stay focused, and never stop learning.

I wouldn’t be where I am today without them, and I carry their lessons and encouragement with me every step of the way.

Website: https://byclaireli.com

Instagram: cclairelee

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cclaireelii

Other: https://medium.com/@cclaireelii

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