UX/UI Designer Taylor Chan, on vulnerability and acceptance during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Practice Makes: Designer Spotlight
In this issue of Designer Spotlight, Practice Makes speaks with Taylor Chan, a UX/UI Designer, with an enthusiasm for fine and performing arts, music and exercise. Taylor has a background in front-end development and multimedia / information resources design. Taylor’s interest in the unique intersection of psychology and human behavior with visual design, ultimately lead her to a path in UX/UI.
“Everything is seasonal and things will change”
“At the beginning of the Pandemic, my company pivoted to a work from home model, which has exposed our teams to a new way of working,” says Taylor, on how COVID-19 has impacted her work. “This encapsulated several new challenges such as maintaining human connectivity via digital channels, battling screen fatigue, maintaining mobility and physical health with a fixed workspace, and preventing burnout — which becomes more difficult when your home is also your workspace.”
“I prioritize physical, mental, and emotional health,” Taylor explains, on how she’s been coping since the start of the Pandemic. “I find what gives me rest, makes me laugh, and helps me make meaningful human connections. My days have been filled with expressing gratitude, physical exercise (biking and dancing), spending time with loved ones, and making a frighteningly large number of charcuterie boards! I’ve realized that everything is seasonal and things will change/come to pass — the good and the bad.”
“It’s okay not to be okay”
“During this season, COVID has been the least weighty of my concerns amidst other relational challenges (close ones battling with cancer, suicide, death),” Taylor admits, when asked what she’s taken away from this time.
“After struggling with these challenges, I came to a breaking point where I learned the power and significance of two things: 1) being broken in front of loved ones and learning how to draw on the strength of others, which can be difficult because I grew up in a culture that encourages emotional self-control, and 2) accepting that I can’t control some of the most important things in life and learning to prioritize and treasure what I have while I have it. In all, I’ve taken to heart that it’s okay not to be okay.”
