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

Hi Joyce, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
My industry is tech, I’m a product designer (I design the experience usually app or web).

One things that outsiders are usually unaware of is that technology can sometimes have a gap between what’s useful for people, and what’s the technology can enable and do. Tech moves so fast that sometimes it’s ahead of real work application and it’s found later.

The best products merge these two things, but sometimes it means the world isn’t ready for it, and it takes time for people to adopt it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
It wasn’t an easy path to get to where I am. I started from a traditional fine art background and had to learn a lot fast to be a useful player in industry.

Lots of late nights of practicing, self learning, taking in small projects and growing fast while not making much.

Corporate culture was a shock to my system which was another thing I had to acclimate to and learn to navigate.

I learned it’s best to stay flexible, be resilient, learn fast, try new things often, and stay ahead of the learning curve. Connections are important and the allies you make stay with you in industry as friends.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love going to Windandsea, grabbing some bites at the La Jolla farmers market, maybe some dinner at Paradisea, and taking a long drive north on 101.

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?
Shoutout to my team members and colleagues that went on these adventures with me and never gave up.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyce-kim-92747314

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSoCal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.