Meet Eddie Lin

We had the good fortune of connecting with Eddie Lin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eddie, the decisions we make often shape our story in profound ways. What was one of the most difficult decisions you’ve had to make?
The most difficult decision I’ve ever had to make was during the COVID pandemic when my grandmother’s health began to decline. As an international worker in the U.S., my visa status and travel restrictions made it almost impossible to go back to Taiwan without facing lengthy re-entry issues. I had to make the heartbreaking choice to stay in the States, even knowing that I might not get the chance to see her one last time. Being so far away during her final days was one of the hardest experiences of my life.

My grandmother wasn’t someone who expressed her love through words. She showed her care through actions—always making sure everyone around her was cared for. Not being able to say goodbye properly left me feeling like I had missed a vital piece of closure. It’s something I’ve carried with me ever since.

When I was recently invited to showcase my work in Los Angeles, I knew I wanted to honor her memory in a meaningful way. I chose to feature a portrait of her that captured her warmth and quiet strength, creating an AR animation so visitors could experience her image in motion. Seeing people interact with her photo, pausing to connect with it, felt like a bridge across the distance that had kept us apart.

In a way, this exhibit became my way of saying goodbye. I never had the chance to go home for closure, but sharing her memory in this space allowed me to honor her in a way that felt deeply personal. It reminded me of the power of art to connect and heal, even in the face of difficult decisions and loss.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a minimalist photographer with a background in graphic design, and my work is all about finding quiet moments of beauty in the chaos of everyday life. By day, I’m a full-time brand designer at Coda in San Francisco, where I focus on brand identity, visual systems, and design strategy. But when I’m not working, I bring that same design perspective into my photography—experimenting with layouts, compositions, and colors to create something thoughtful and intentional.

Photography has become my way of recording inspiration and expressing how I see the world. I focus on capturing moments where light and shadow meet architecture, revealing the kind of beauty that’s often overlooked. It’s my way of finding peace in the middle of life’s noise, and encouraging others to pause and notice the small, meaningful details around them.

This search for calm has personal roots. As an immigrant in the U.S., building a life from scratch in a new country hasn’t always been easy—it can feel lonely at times, and there are plenty of challenges along the way. Every time when I see news about hate crimes against the AAPI community or hear anti-immigrant rhetoric, it’s unsettling and difficult to process. Those moments often leave me craving stability and a sense of grounding. The quiet, peaceful corners I capture through my photography help me find that balance—they’re my way of creating a sense of calm in a world that can feel chaotic and uncertain.

What makes my work unique is the way my graphic design experience shapes how I approach photography. I think like a designer when I shoot—playing with framing, balance, and color theory to tell a story with each image. That perspective has helped me develop a minimalist style that feels clean but still full of emotion. I also love experimenting with new materials and technology, like AR, to add interactive elements to my work and create experiences that go beyond just looking at a photo.

Through my work, I hope to inspire people to slow down and find beauty in the little things. Whether it’s the way light falls on a building or the stillness of a quiet street, these details might seem small, but they’re often the most meaningful. For me, it’s about helping people find their own moments of peace in a busy, overwhelming world.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
It really depends on where I am since I’m always moving between San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Taipei. But I’ve been dreaming of sharing this LA architecture tour idea because architecture has always been a huge inspiration for my photography, and LA is full of incredible gems to explore.

The city’s architecture is such a mix of styles. You’ve got the clean modernism of the Getty Center, the space-age vibes of the Theme Building at LAX, and the futuristic design of Lautner’s Chemosphere House. Then there are the mid-century modern icons, like the Stahl House with its breathtaking city views and the Eames House, where timeless design feels perfectly in sync with its surroundings.

I’d also take time to visit the Bradbury Building—it has this cinematic charm with its intricate ironwork and light-filled atrium. For a quieter moment, we’d stroll through the Venice Canals to appreciate LA’s more peaceful side. And, of course, no architecture tour in LA would be complete without stopping by Gehry’s iconic works, like the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the playful Binoculars Building, which add bold, creative energy to the city.

From futuristic landmarks to timeless classics, this tour would showcase LA’s vibrant design culture and offer a fresh perspective on how architecture shapes the way we experience the world.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people I want to shout out because my journey wouldn’t have been the same without their support and inspiration. I feel so lucky to have met so many amazing people along the way. But if I had to highlight two who really influenced me and got me into the art and photography world, it would be my family and my college design teacher.

First, my family has always been there for me, offering endless support. My dad, in particular, played a big role in getting me into photography. He was the one who first sparked my interest in capturing moments, and that’s where my passion really began. My mom also influenced me—she’s the reason I developed a love for drawing. She nurtured that creative side in me from the start, and her support meant the world as I began my artistic journey.

Another person I’d like to mention is my college design teacher, Jack Yang (楊勝雄). He taught me to find inspiration in everyday life and encouraged me to carry a sketchbook to capture the little things that stood out to me. That advice totally changed the way I see the world and continues to shape how I approach my photography and design today.

I’m so grateful for the impact my family and Jack Yang have had on me. Without their guidance and support, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Website: https://www.eddiesclin.design/eddielens

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eddiesclin/

Email List: https://design.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=4fb0bf7d75a3c61a2e598d238&id=c92597ad6c

Image Credits
Narek Petrosyan Eddie Lin