Meet Tiffany Chen | Projection Designer/ Programmer

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

Hi Tiffany, why did you pursue a creative career?
I pursued an artistic and creative career because I’ve always been driven by a passion for storytelling and creating experiences that move and inspire people. Initially, I started as an economics major, dealing with numbers daily while producing events on the side. During that time, I realized I felt more alive when I could engage in real human interactions and see the impact of my work on others. The thrill of bringing a vision to life—whether through sound, visuals, or live performance—fuels me, and the ever-evolving nature of the creative industry keeps me curious and excited. This path lets me collaborate with amazing talent, experiment with new technologies, and constantly push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What makes me unique is my blend of roles as a projection engineer, projection designer, and programmer. This gives me a comprehensive perspective on how technology works and what it’s truly capable of. I’m proud of my diverse experiences, from programming theater plays to collaborating with top musicians and producing large-scale events. I’m excited to keep pushing boundaries and exploring new technologies to create unforgettable experiences.

It hasn’t ben easy coming out straight out of school into a foreign country, I had to quickly adapt to ever-changing work environments as a freelancer. Each project brought unique challenges, like mastering new technologies on the fly or navigating the fast-paced world of live events. I overcame these challenges by staying curious, continuously learning, and embracing a flexible mindset.

One thing I’ve learned is that adaptability is crucial. With the industry evolving rapidly, I’ve become comfortable tackling things I don’t immediately understand and learning as I go. Building strong relationships is equally important, as collaboration drives creativity.

I’m committed to creating experiences that leave a lasting impact. My identity is about blending technology, art, and human connection to tell powerful stories and bring people together. I strive for excellence, not just in execution but in creating meaningful, memorable interactions.

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 keep it super chill and fun. We’d start with fish tacos at *Oscar’s Mexican Seafood*—can’t miss those—then head to Ocean Beach for some tan and cliff jump. There are some quirky shops in the area for a browse, some great food, but mostly just chill on the sand.

we could also spend a relaxing morning at La Playa, maybe have a little picnic or try paddleboarding. Later, we’d check out the Kobey’s Swap Meet, digging through vintage treasures and munching on some street food. Another day would be all about grabbing brunch at a cute café and taking a leisurely stroll by the beach, just enjoying the laid-back vibe.

We’d definitely hit Sunset Cliffs for the epic sunset, maybe with a picnic setup this time. To wrap up the week, we’d keep it simple with coffee from a local spot and chill at my place with long conversations that we can never finish, soaking up the sun and the ocean breeze before saying goodbye.

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’d like to give a huge shoutout to Joey Moro, my professor in grad school and mentor. Joey has an incredible background in lighting and projection design, along with training across all theater departments, so his wealth of knowledge is truly inspiring. Working with him has been invaluable, as I’ve learned so much—ranging from design and history to electrics, work ethics, and most important of all– I love his humor. He’s the reason I started doing theater and continues to encourage me to explore and do more. His support and guidance have been a huge influence on my journey.

Website: https://productiff.myportfolio.com

Instagram: @productiff

Image Credits
STEPHANIE BERGER, Camilla Tassi, Brittany Bland