ABOUT

PRINCIPLE #1

Action-based tutorials are the most applicable. Hence why I have courses and a YouTube channel dedicated to showing you my process and thinking.

PRINCIPLE #2

We grow best when we are getting feedback on our work and interviews. That's why I dedicate this club for you to find other designers to practice with.

PRINCIPLE #3

Product designers are critical thinkers, and one of the best ways to train is to read daily. Hence why I have a newsletter and a list of my most life-changing books.

HELLO FROM

SAN FRANCISCO

If you’ve never met me, allow me to introduce myself: I’m Lily (aka Designalily), a product designer (UX) working in Silicon Valley. As someone from arts school who broke into tech with no connections, I’m passionate about helping others from creative and non-traditional backgrounds break into tech. Helping others transition into tech and change their life for the better motivates me to keep building this community.

I first started building for this community by hosting workshops, then by hosting online events and creating content once the pandemic hit. Today, I'm a content creator aside from working as a product designer.

MY STORY

I’m a Canadian American who went to arts school at VCU. Like your typical DMV grad, I ended up in Washington D.C. Not surprisingly, being in a city of the biggest government sector didn’t really do anything for my creative spirit.

I researched cities with the most abundant career opportunities, and there was another clear winner: San Francisco. Not only did this city pay the highest disposable income in the world, but the chance to design for the most innovative companies in the world was too enticing. I learned of a role called product design, which was the most prominent in Silicon Valley. It sounded like this cool, mysterious job that designed all the apps I browser daily.

Fast forward in two weeks, I packed my life in two suitcases and booked a one-way flight to San Francisco. I had no connections, and my family came from very humble beginnings, so I had to create my own opportunities.

After reading many books, taking classes, and most importantly, hundreds of failed applications—I was able to land my first full time product design offer, and it was a senior product design role! I ended up taking another offer, but my salary doubled with either offers which was a win-win. As the first of my family living a six-figure lifestyle, I can tell you it was all worth it.

Now living in a downtown apartment San Francisco, I pinch myself because this would have sounded insane to me just two years ago. My life transformed by breaking into tech, and I’ve had friends take my advice, and now working in tech. If you’re creative or non-techie looking to break into product design, you’ve come to the right place.

Want to collaborate?

Interested in doing a brand partnership or another professional opportunity? Let my team know by submitting below.

"Thank you so much for sharing valuable insights. I recently got a job that required 3+ years of experience even though I had only 3 months of internship. Thank you!"

Matt S., Product Designer

"I passed Facebook because of your whiteboarding videos!"