It’s nice to meet you, I’m Mika. 👋🏼
I’m a UX designer based in Los Angeles. Prior to design, I’d worked in education, hospitality, and freelance photography. I proudly leverage each of these fields into my design practice today to create more intentional, people-first user experiences.
I am highly curious by nature and am always interested in working alongside others to help improve the conditions surrounding us, even if only in small ways. I am currently looking for a full-time product design position this 2024!
When I’m not at my computer, I enjoy exploring my city by foot, finding new places to eat, and experimenting with film photography. I also love to travel, read, hang out with my two cats, and practice Pilates.
Still want the full story? Read on ↓
Some of my earliest core memories involve design.
A true product of the 90s, I was raised on KidPix, Angelfire & MySpace. Throughout high school, I ran a handful of rather poorly designed websites (mostly personal blogs & pop-punk fansites) after teaching myself HTML & Photoshop. I loved it.
While I did consider formally studying art + design, I ultimately saw college as a way to explore other interests.
As mentioned before, I’ve always been naturally curious about the world around me—this led to many college major changes throughout those first few years. At one point or another, I explored marine biology, english, photojournalism, statistics, graphic design, english (again), cultural geography… the list continues.
I struggled not only with honing in on just one subject, but with the far greater task of choosing between the arts and the sciences. This felt impossible as I was equally drawn to both.
Fast forward a bit—I end up discovering ethnic studies and graduating with my Bachelor’s and the drive to teach high school students.
While in undergrad, I had taken up a part-time position aiding in high school classrooms and absolutely loved it. I wanted to continue mentoring students and fostering environments for critical discussions on topics often left out of the standard US curriculum.
I then went on to UCLA to earn my Master’s in Education, where I eventually dropped out after a year. While I strongly enjoyed designing curriculums and building relationships, I felt depleted and unfulfilled in other areas.
Arriving at UX design feels like a homecoming.
After deep self-reflection, I realized (or rather, remembered) I would be most fulfilled doing work that stimulates both my creative + analytical sides. In my earlier college years I felt forced to choose between the two. Having discovered UX design, I now realize that both can co-exist.
I am still the same curious and ever-eager young designer that I was as a kid, I am just simply now much more equipped with the tools and knowledge. My websites now are also much more responsive. 😉