Anna Chen
UI/UX Designer
Based in:
Oakland, CA
Degree: ​
UCSD B.S. Cognitive Science,
Specialization in Design and Interaction
In my free time I...
try new recipes
sketch cute things
show love through crochet
run, preferably outside
"Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day.
Teach him how to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime."
- Lao Tzu
(and my sixth grade history teacher)
A Bit About Me
Growing up in Anthem, Arizona, as a Chinese-Malaysian daughter of immigrant parents, I've always questioned the countless everyday schemas we accept as normal. I could not fathom why my classmates were so excited for an elderly man to climb into their home via chimney every year! Things like 'Santa Claus' and 'Tooth Fairy' were concepts I learned about in school, leading me to question what systems run our lives, and why?
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Now, I am an Oakland–based designer with a passion for creating intuitive, human-centered digital and physical experiences, bridging communities, cultures, and still always stopping to question, 'why'?
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Let's make an impact together!
Education
B.S. University of California, SD
San Diego, CA, USA
Sep 2021 - Mar 2025
Study Abroad:
International Christian University
Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan
Sep 2024 - Dec 2024
Diamond Bar High School
Diamond Bar, CA, USA
Sep 2017 - May 2021
Built a strong foundation in research, design principles, wire framing, prototyping, and usability testing over 4 years. Collaborated on team projects working with diverse clients and dream projects simulating client briefs.
Solo traveled internationally for the first time studying in Tokyo, Japan, and confronted different schemas and diverse perspectives. This experience encouraged me to think outside the box about inclusive cross cultural design.
Gained hundreds of hours of volunteer experience working with the National Honors Society, crafting community-centered events for kids, eventually contributing as Vice President.
Joined an anti-tobacco coalition with the nonprofit API Forward Movement to advocate initiatives with the local city government.
