About Me

Hi, nice to meet you! 😊

Hi, nice to meet you! 😊

Hi, nice to meet you! 😊

I’m Shelly, and I’m currently pursuing my M.S. in Information Experience Design at Pratt Institute.

I focus on understanding problems before jumping into solutions. Growing up in an immigrant household and later living in South Korea, I’ve seen how complex and frustrating everyday systems can be. These experiences fuel my belief that things can be better if you talk to the people using them, and it’s also why asking questions, researching, and observing how others do things come naturally to me.

Teaching English abroad also shaped how I work with people. Observation and feedback helped me understand what students needed and adjust my lessons so everyone could participate and feel welcome. I learned to spot patterns, see what isn’t working, and make changes based on evidence rather than assumptions.

My UX work is guided by the same belief and attention to detail. I focus on identifying root problems so teams can make informed decisions that work for everyone involved. Every project feels like a mystery waiting to be solved, and I enjoy uncovering insights to solve the puzzle. I value clear communication, efficiency, and collaborating with others to tackle complex problems, always keeping the bigger picture in mind.

🌟 Five Extra Tidbits

🌟 Five Extra Tidbits

🌟 Five Extra Tidbits

🌱 Current Side Quests

Collect 50 Letterboxes

My new hobby for 2026 is letterboxing. It's like treasure hunting, but with stamps! I follow clues left by others and then "collect" them into my log book. Above is my personally carved stamp for me to leave in logbooks!

Collect 50 Letterboxes

My new hobby for 2026 is letterboxing. It's like treasure hunting, but with stamps! I follow clues left by others and then "collect" them into my log book. Above is my personally carved stamp for me to leave in logbooks!

Collect 50 Letterboxes

My new hobby for 2026 is letterboxing. It's like treasure hunting, but with stamps! I follow clues left by others and then "collect" them into my log book. Above is my personally carved stamp for me to leave in logbooks!

Collect Ditto Cards

My personal rule for collecting Pokémon cards is that I have to find them in person. I also collect Slowpokes, Rotoms, cards illustrated by Yuka Morii, Asako Ito, and Saya Tsuruta, and cards where the illustrations connect.

Collect Ditto Cards

My personal rule for collecting Pokémon cards is that I have to find them in person. I also collect Slowpokes, Rotoms, cards illustrated by Yuka Morii, Asako Ito, and Saya Tsuruta, and cards where the illustrations connect.

Collect Ditto Cards

My personal rule for collecting Pokémon cards is that I have to find them in person. I also collect Slowpokes, Rotoms, cards illustrated by Yuka Morii, Asako Ito, and Saya Tsuruta, and cards where the illustrations connect.

Test ChatGPT (again)

I recently compared my own (human-generated) usability test against ChatGPT's and analyzed the differences (see the journey here). I'm going to continue this "experiment" to see how AI can (or can't) fit into the UXR workflow.

Test ChatGPT (again)

I recently compared my own (human-generated) usability test against ChatGPT's and analyzed the differences (see the journey here). I'm going to continue this "experiment" to see how AI can (or can't) fit into the UXR workflow.

Test ChatGPT (again)

I recently compared my own (human-generated) usability test against ChatGPT's and analyzed the differences (see the journey here). I'm going to continue this "experiment" to see how AI can (or can't) fit into the UXR workflow.

Escape 10 More Rooms

I created a website with HTML/CSS to share/track my escape room adventures (last updated Oct 2025). My goal for 2026 is to get out of 10 escape rooms!!

Escape 10 More Rooms

I created a website with HTML/CSS to share/track my escape room adventures (last updated Oct 2025). My goal for 2026 is to get out of 10 escape rooms!!

Escape 10 More Rooms

I created a website with HTML/CSS to share/track my escape room adventures (last updated Oct 2025). My goal for 2026 is to get out of 10 escape rooms!!

Finish My Campaigns

In 2025, I started doing D&D-related things for the first time and it's been so fun! I'm still doing my first D&D campaign (Wood Elf Circle of Stars Druid) and completing my second Baldurs Gate 3 run (Tiefling Bard).

Finish My Campaigns

In 2025, I started doing D&D-related things for the first time and it's been so fun! I'm still doing my first D&D campaign (Wood Elf Circle of Stars Druid) and completing my second Baldurs Gate 3 run (Tiefling Bard).

Finish My Campaigns

In 2025, I started doing D&D-related things for the first time and it's been so fun! I'm still doing my first D&D campaign (Wood Elf Circle of Stars Druid) and completing my second Baldurs Gate 3 run (Tiefling Bard).

Buy Pumpkin Seeds

I adopted Chester, a Syrian hamster, August 2025. I did a looooot of research on ethical hamster care (and I still learn something new everyday). If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Buy Pumpkin Seeds

I adopted Chester, a Syrian hamster, August 2025. I did a looooot of research on ethical hamster care (and I still learn something new everyday). If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Buy Pumpkin Seeds

I adopted Chester, a Syrian hamster, August 2025. I did a looooot of research on ethical hamster care (and I still learn something new everyday). If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

📚 Self-Study UX Materials:

If you're looking for how I self-taught myself UX foundations, you can find the materials here. I hope this list helps you!

If you're looking for how I self-taught myself UX foundations, you can find the materials here. I hope this list helps you!

📚 Self-Study UX Materials:

If you're looking for how I self-taught myself UX foundations, you can find the materials here. I hope this list helps you!

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