Hey there, my name is Sydney! I'm currently a senior at UC Berkeley and my passion lies in creating playful, effortless, and inclusive experiences. Fueled by an unwavering love for creativity, I have explored various artistic outlets such as art, dance, sewing, and even the meticulous assembly of intricate IKEA furniture.
However, it is in design that I have found my true calling. My dedication lies in continuously refining my skills to craft exceptional experiences that not only bring joy but also address issues of accessibility and equity. Whether it's designing intuitive interfaces or infusing a touch of whimsy into every interaction, my goal is to create memorable experiences that bring smiles to people's faces. It's a pleasure to meet you, and I look forward to revolutionizing the world of design together, one delightful interaction at a time!
This could be you?!?!? I'm looking for a Product Design New Grad Role based in San Francisco. Shoot me an email if you're interested in hiring me!
June 2024
The New York Times Product Design Intern, Live Storytelling
June 2023 - May 2024
Meta Product Design Intern, Central Integrity
June 2022 - August 2022
The World Bank Web Development Consultant
November 2021 - March 2022
Google STEP Intern, Modern Formats
May 2021 - August 2021
A child obsessed... with art
Art has been a constant presence in my life, thanks to my incredibly creative family. From a young age, my grandmother would visit us on weekends, bringing new art projects that instantly captivated me. This love for art inspired me to become an artist myself. With every woman in my family being an artist, their creations have always been a great source of inspiration for me. I can still vividly recall the first time I watched shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender and Winx Club, where the animation fascinated me to the point where I felt compelled to try drawing myself. To this day, I still cherish these shows as they serve as a joyful reminder of the immense happiness that art brings into my life.
Entering the world of tech
At fourteen, I stumbled upon the world of coding and was captivated by its problem-solving nature and creative possibilities. This newfound interest in CS led me on a journey of exploration that spanned five years. I delved into independent research and actively sought out CS programs like Girls Who Code, Black Girls Code, Google CSSI, and Google STEP. These experiences further nurtured my passion for the field and solidified my commitment to pursuing a career in technology and design.
From engineer to designer
I got my first internship at 18, as a software engineer. As a member of Google's Modern Formats team, I had the opportunity to develop interactive tools for Google Web Stories. Working alongside engineers, designers, and managers of all different backgrounds, I truly enjoyed the work I was doing and the team I was a part of. However, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. It was during a collaboration with a UX designer that I had my "aha" moment, realizing that product design was my true calling. Since then, I have made the decision to change my major and career path, and I am incredibly grateful for the work I get to do now.