I’m Ellie, The techno-designer.
I currently work at Apple as a Human Interface Designer. I obtained a master’s degree (MDes) in Design with an emphasis in New Media from UC Berkeley in 2024. Previously, I was a Senior Software Engineer and worked at Disney for 7 years. My undergraduate degree is in Architecture from UCLA.
My work ranges from physical computing in the realm of AI/ML to graffiti art. Art is my lifelong passion. I find delight in playing with craft, color, and whimsy.
📷 Photo by Johnny Thanphachanh
FAQ
What is techno-design?
Technodesign = technology + design. I am a mixed media designer, senior software engineer, UX designer/engineer, and artist. My specialty is creative technology, including Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML).
Where are you from?
I am half Japanese-American, half Italian + German-American, and a native Angelena — born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Are you open for new projects?
Currently I work full-time and have limited bandwidth for taking on new projects. Nevertheless, please feel free to reach out with inquiries.
Experience
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Led end-to-end design of digital and physical product experiences, from defining user-centered requirements and developing interactive prototypes to delivering polished visual, sound, and haptic interfaces—collaborating closely with cross-functional teams in hardware, software, and engineering.
Transformed complex interaction concepts into intuitive, inclusive, and high-impact design solutions, leveraging advanced prototyping, storytelling, and design tools to communicate vision, validate ideas, and deliver exceptional user experiences under tight deadlines.
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Conducted research on emerging technologies in AI, Computer Vision, and digital 3D scanning, contributing to a curated, web-based repository of intersectional/feminist 3D objects.
Developed and implemented curriculum on Computer Vision, 3D modeling, generative AI, design software, and iterative design processes for class of 40 students.
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Collaborated with researchers from Google and Meta to design and develop the Inclusive Language Framework and other custom web experiences, emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for the Center for Equity, Gender & Leadership (EGAL).
Integrated user-centered design principles to create reusable Webflow component library with documented styleguide of interaction details and design specifications, ensuring accurate implementation and usability for engaging, accessible web applications.
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Built new features in an agile environment for major domestic and international Disney sites including Disney.com, StarWars.com, and Disneyland® and Walt Disney World® official websites
Developed and launched Unison, a unified suite of internal tools for Marvel, National Geographic, and ABC News digital products
Collaborated with Product, Design, UX and QA to build interactive guest experiences with an emphasis on performance and responsive design
Led engineering for A/B testing product concepts, including Ads and UI redesigns, to find promising directions that address both guest and business needs
Mentored junior developers and onboarded new engineers
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Interpreted UX designs to build creative web experiences with a keen eye for visual design and user interaction
Co-founded and oversaw the Women + Tech Brown Bag Lunch Series, a monthly open forum to discuss topics relevant to women and technology
Drove and developed projects from concept to production, working closely with product managers and designers
Developed and maintained extensible cross-browser, cross-device code to build scalable applications and reusable modules
Relaunched Disney’s flagship eCommerce website, shopDisney.com, featuring a responsive redesign and PCI compliant checkout experience written in React
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Developed front-end code to launch new user-facing websites including MediaHound.com and DateNightMovies.com
Created low to high fidelity wireframes and prototypes
Partnered with Creative Director, Stakeholders and engineering team to build compelling user experience solutions
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Administered, monitored and validated automation tasks
Collected data from reports and queries to support team efficiency
Built a system of templated spreadsheets to arrange, manipulate, format and prepare large amounts of information
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Exercised graphical input and creative knowledge daily while utilizing proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
Administered company operations - from collecting orders, to sending orders to the in-house production team for large-format CMYK printing, to summarizing consumer feedback
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Managed and co-managed 30+ projects ranging from minor Single Family Dwelling remodels to entire new site construction
Designed and developed project proposals with lead architect
Liaised and delegated tasks amongst clients, lead architect, engineering team, contractor, and City Planning offices
Expedited drawings to LA Department of Building and Safety
Education
Master of Design (MDes)
Emphasis in New Media
UC Berkeley
2024
Web Development Immersive
General Assembly
2014
User Experience Design
UCLA Extension
2013
Architectural Studies (BA)
UCLA
2011
Philosophy (AA)
Santa Monica College
2008
Leadership
Creative Co-Lead
Disney PRIDE
2021-2022
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Membership Chair
Disney Women + Tech
2016-2017
Administrative Officer
UC Berkeley MDes Student Association (MDSA)
2022-2023
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Mentor
Disney CODE: Rosie
2016-2019
Skills
Creative
Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, After Effects, Sketch, Figma, Procreate, Autodesk AutoCAD, Fusion 360, Rhinoceros 3D, AGI (Midjourney, Dall-E, ChatGPT) prototyping, wireframing, interaction design, illustration, painting
Engineering
HTML, CSS/SCSS, JavaScript, React, Angular, Bootstrap, Node, Underscore, Google Ad Manager, Google Analytics, Docker, Python, PHP, WordPress, Git(hub/lab), Raspberry Pi, Arduino, AI/ML/DL, Computer Vision, photogrammetry
