Meet Clayton Lin | Digital Product Designer

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

Hi Clayton, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Since I was young, I have always been drawn to thoughtfully designed spaces. I enjoy studying in well-designed cafes and reading in beautiful bookstores. These environments have a certain atmosphere that makes it easier for me to focus and feel inspired, and I became very aware of how design can subtly shape how people feel about things.

When I was in high school, I started using my first technology products, including the iPhone X and Google Cardboard VR. What struck me was the level of intention in their design. The iPhone X felt incredibly refined, the minimal interface and the gesture-based interactions made the experience feel intuitive and seamless. Google Cardboard on the other hand was literally made of cardboard, yet it could transform a phone into an immersive VR experience. I was fascinated by how such a simple object could create such a powerful sense of wonder.

Before that I had never really thought of technology products as something that could be designed with this level of care and thoughtfulness. But after experiencing products like these, I started getting curious about the people behind them. That was probably the moment I realized design was something I wanted to pursue, creating experiences that can genuinely change how people interact with technology.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m currently a digital product designer, working on user experience and visual design for digital products. I previously worked at Microsoft as a Product Design Intern, where I worked on the Weather experience on Windows. This involved designing how millions of people around the world access their daily weather information. In addition, I have worked on many of my own experimental projects, such as an AI font generator and an AI-powered news app, where I explore the opportunities that emerging technologies create for creative tools and information access.

I also really enjoy prototyping and trying out new ideas. A lot of my work sits somewhere between technology, storytelling, and aesthetics. For example, I’ve built an interactive VR project where people can have conversations with Socrates. I’ve also worked on an AI film project inspired by mono no aware aesthetics.

Looking back, I think my interest in design started pretty early. I began learning to draw when I was around five, which probably shaped my sensitivity to visual things. Overall, the journey has been relatively smooth, but it also involved a lot of exploration. Early on, I spent a lot of time trying different tools, technologies, and creative mediums, just to figure out what I was really interested in. That process helped me gradually find my direction.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
LA has always been my favourite city. It is a cultural hub with a vibrant scene of art, film, and creative events happening throughout the year. If you have the chance, I highly recommend attending some of these cultural activities, as they are a great way to experience the spirit of the city. Beyond that, here are some of my personal favorite things to do in LA:

Here are some of my favorite recommendations:
1. Have a quiet moment with great thinkers from history at the Getty Center.
2. Watch the sunset at Santa Monica Beach.
3. Go whale watching in Long Beach.
4. Take the studio tour at Universal Studios Hollywood and see how famous movies and shows are made.
5. Walk around the campuses and libraries of Caltech and UCLA to feel the academic spirit and enjoy the beautiful buildings.

For me, these special experiences are what make LA so unique and different from other cities.

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?
First, I’d like to thank the people close to me, my parents and my friends. They’ve supported me in so many ways and always encouraged me to keep exploring the things I care about. I don’t think I would be where I am today without that support.

I would also like to thank all the people behind the works and products that I admire. The filmmakers, app designers, engineers, and creators who have built so many amazing experiences. Their work showed me what’s possible when creativity and technology come together, and in many ways it’s a big part of why I chose this path and continue to stay motivated.

Website: https://claytonnn.com

Instagram: https://linkedin.com/in/quting-lin