👋 I am glad you are here!

For more than a decade, I’ve built my career at the intersection of design, technology, and human behavior. I love taking messy, complex problems and shaping them into experiences that feel clear, intentional, and genuinely delightful. Whether it’s modernizing an enterprise workflow or defining mobile interaction patterns used by millions, I lead with curiosity, clarity, and a focus on meaningful impact.

 

I am an Emmy Award winning designer and currently a Principal Designer at Cisco, where I lead AI driven internal product experiences that help thousands of employees work smarter and collaborate more seamlessly. Before Cisco, I guided the mobile design vision for Google Drive, influencing the productivity of over a billion users worldwide. Earlier in my journey, I joined Triller as a founding member during its explosive growth to 300 million installs and served as a Design Principal at IBM, driving human centered solutions across global teams.

 

Beyond my product work, I speak internationally at design conferences and enjoy sharing insights with the broader community. I also mentor and teach emerging designers as a guest lecturer at institutions including Pratt Institute, SVA, FIT, The New School, Cornell University, University of Florida, and Binghamton University. Mentorship has always been one of the most meaningful parts of my career, and I’ve had the privilege of supporting thousands of designers throughout their growth.

 

Outside of work, I love spending time with my family, exploring new cities, wandering through local markets, and planning our next trip. I recharge through long walks, dive into RPG games when I’m in the mood for a different kind of adventure, and occasionally draw comics just for fun. I find that inspiration often appears in those quiet, unexpected in-between moments.

Cisco

Jun 2023 - Present

Leading the design of an AI-powered internal tool used by executive and senior leadership to accelerate decision-making, optimize sales strategy, and enhance business visibility across the organization

Google

Apr 2022 - Nov 2022

Led mobile UX for Google Drive across Android, iOS, and desktop, delivering platform-wide consistency and innovation for over 1B users

IBM

Mar 2017 - Apr 2022

Defined and led mobile UX strategy for 2,200+ enterprise applications used by 350,000 employees worldwide with VP and SVP-level stakeholders

Triller

Jul 2015 - Mar 2017

Founding designer of Triller(NASDAQ: ILLR), a viral music video platform with 300M+ installs and #1 App Store ranking in 50+ countries

Nickelodeon

Jun 2013 - Jul 2015

Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Creative Achievement in UX & Visual Design (2013, Nick App), recognized for leading design efforts on one of the industry’s most innovative kids’ platforms

Pratt

2009 - 2011

MS in Communication Design

Emphasis in Digital Design

Binghamton University

2007 - 2009

BA in Graphic Design

Major GPA 4.0, Harpur highest honor, Mega Cum Laude

Honors & Awards

“Mentor of the Year” by WomenTech Global Awards

Asian Design Prize

Jury | 2024 - 2025

WomenTech Network

30 Outstanding Women in Tech | 2024

Asia K-Design Award and Competition

Jury | 2020 - 2023

WomenTech Global Awards

Gold Winner, Mentor of the Year | 2022

WomenTech Global Awards

Finalist, Rising Star in STEM of the Year | 2020

Women in IT Awards 

Award announcer, Diversity Initiative of the Year | 2020

Women in IT Awards 

Nominated, Rising Star of the Year | 2020

Women in IT Awards

Award winner, IT Team of Year | 2019

IBM Manager's Choice Awards

Award winner | 2019

IBM Finance & Operations - Challenge Coin

Award winner | 2019

2 IBM Office of the CIO Award - Challenge Coin

Award winner | 2019

IBM DWE & CIO Design Hackathon

Award winner, Best use of new technology | 2019

IBM Finance & Operations Outstanding Achievements

Award winner | 2019

IBM Eminence & Excellence Award 

Award winner | 2018

Emmy Awards - Nick

Outstanding Creative Achievement | 2013  

2 The Webby Awards - Triller

People's Choice & Honoree | 2016

Reggie Award - Nick Jr. Birthday Club website

Loyalty Gold Winner | 2015

4 The Webby Awards - Nick & Nick Jr.

Honoree | 2015  

Graphis New Talent Annual

Gold winner | 2013          

HOW International Design Awards

Merit winner | 2012

Pratt Show Exhibition Manhattan Center

Selected exhibitor | 2011

Talks & Events

YouTube Interview with DesignSori

dzone Cisco Design Conference

Panelist | 2025

School of Visual Arts

Guest Speaker & Hackathon Coach | 2025

University of Northern Colorado

Guest Speaker | 2025

Union College

Guest Speaker | 2025

Colorado State University

Guest Speaker | 2024

University of Miami

Guest Lecturer | 2020 - 2025

Illuminz

Podcast Speaker | 2023

Krupynka Design Conference

International Keynote Speaker | 2022

Fashion Institute of Technology - UI Design Certificate Program

Guest Lecturer | 2020–2021

IBM CIO Design & Binghamton University NYC Connect Employer Treks

Host & Speaker | 2020 - 2021

Ascend Women in Technology

‍Spotlight Interviewee | 2020

Showtime Networks Company Visit

Host & Speaker | 2020

Women Talk Design Lightning talk

Spotlight speaker | 2020

The University of Florida & IBM CIO Design Day in the Life

Host & Speaker | 2019 - 2020

Verizon Media Company Visit

Host & Speaker | 2019

Luminary Company Visit

Host & Speaker | 2019

IBM CIO Design & The New School A day in the life & Portfolio review

Host & Speaker | 2019

IBM CIO Design & Pratt Institute Design Thinking Workshop

Design Thinking Coach | 2019

Brooklyn Product Design Meetup Talk

Spotlight speaker | 2019

Spotlight Speaker Presentation at Girls Who Code

Spotlight speaker | 2019

Mobile Prototyping Workshop at UXPA Norfolk

Speaker | 2019

Adobe & IBM: World Interaction Design Day Adobe XD workshop Lunch & Learn

Host & Speaker | 2019

IBM CIO Design & Binghamton University Psychology 101 class

Host & Speaker | 2019

IBM CIO Design & Binghamton University Design Thinking Workshop

Design Thinking Coach | 2019

Adobe SF Company Visit Client Presentation

Host & Speaker | 2018

NASA JPL Company Visit

Host & Speaker | 2018

IBM Design Day Panel: Cornell Tech and DFA Columbia

Host & Speaker & Panelist | 2018

Publications

AHFE Conference

What Am I Looking for? Improving User Sentiment by Enhancing Search and the Overall End User Experience in the Mobile Environment2020

AHFE Conference

Using High Fidelity Interactive Prototypes for Effective Communication to Create an Enterprise Mobile Application2020

AHFE Conference

Using Established UX Design Techniques and Visual Enhancements to Redesign an Enterprise Mobile App and Improve Employee Productivity and Engagement2019

blurry photo of sunset over ocean with logo on top

sooyundesign@gmail.com

© Soo Yun Kim 2025 All Rights Reserved

👋 I am glad you are here!

For more than a decade, I’ve built my career at the intersection of design, technology, and human behavior. I love taking messy, complex problems and shaping them into experiences that feel clear, intentional, and genuinely delightful. Whether it’s modernizing an enterprise workflow or defining mobile interaction patterns used by millions, I lead with curiosity, clarity, and a focus on meaningful impact.

 

I am an Emmy Award winning designer and currently a Principal Designer at Cisco, where I lead AI driven internal product experiences that help thousands of employees work smarter and collaborate more seamlessly. Before Cisco, I guided the mobile design vision for Google Drive, influencing the productivity of over a billion users worldwide. Earlier in my journey, I joined Triller as a founding member during its explosive growth to 300 million installs and served as a Design Principal at IBM, driving human centered solutions across global teams.

 

Beyond my product work, I speak internationally at design conferences and enjoy sharing insights with the broader community. I also mentor and teach emerging designers as a guest lecturer at institutions including Pratt Institute, SVA, FIT, The New School, Cornell University, University of Florida, and Binghamton University. Mentorship has always been one of the most meaningful parts of my career, and I’ve had the privilege of supporting thousands of designers throughout their growth.

 

Outside of work, I love spending time with my family, exploring new cities, wandering through local markets, and planning our next trip. I recharge through long walks, dive into RPG games when I’m in the mood for a different kind of adventure, and occasionally draw comics just for fun. I find that inspiration often appears in those quiet, unexpected in-between moments.

Cisco

Jun 2023 - Present

Leading the design of an AI-powered internal tool used by executive and senior leadership to accelerate decision-making, optimize sales strategy, and enhance business visibility across the organization

Google

Apr 2022 - Nov 2022

Led mobile UX for Google Drive across Android, iOS, and desktop, delivering platform-wide consistency and innovation for over 1B users

IBM

Mar 2017 - Apr 2022

Defined and led mobile UX strategy for 2,200+ enterprise applications used by 350,000 employees worldwide with VP and SVP-level stakeholders

Triller

Jul 2015 - Mar 2017

Founding designer of Triller(NASDAQ: ILLR), a viral music video platform with 300M+ installs and #1 App Store ranking in 50+ countries

Nickelodeon

Jun 2013 - Jul 2015

Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Creative Achievement in UX & Visual Design (2013, Nick App), recognized for leading design efforts on one of the industry’s most innovative kids’ platforms

Pratt

2009 - 2011

MS in Communication Design

Emphasis in Digital Design

Binghamton University

2007 - 2009

BA in Graphic Design

Major GPA 4.0, Harpur highest honor, Mega Cum Laude

Honors & Awards

“Mentor of the Year” by WomenTech Global Awards

Asian Design Prize

Jury | 2024 - 2025

WomenTech Network

30 Outstanding Women in Tech | 2024

Asia K-Design Award and Competition

Jury | 2020 - 2023

WomenTech Global Awards

Gold Winner, Mentor of the Year | 2022

WomenTech Global Awards

Finalist, Rising Star in STEM of the Year | 2020

Women in IT Awards 

Award announcer, Diversity Initiative of the Year | 2020

Women in IT Awards 

Nominated, Rising Star of the Year | 2020

Women in IT Awards

Award winner, IT Team of Year | 2019

IBM Manager's Choice Awards

Award winner | 2019

IBM Finance & Operations - Challenge Coin

Award winner | 2019

2 IBM Office of the CIO Award - Challenge Coin

Award winner | 2019

IBM DWE & CIO Design Hackathon

Award winner, Best use of new technology | 2019

IBM Finance & Operations Outstanding Achievements

Award winner | 2019

IBM Eminence & Excellence Award 

Award winner | 2018

Emmy Awards - Nick

Outstanding Creative Achievement | 2013  

2 The Webby Awards - Triller

People's Choice & Honoree | 2016

Reggie Award - Nick Jr. Birthday Club website

Loyalty Gold Winner | 2015

4 The Webby Awards - Nick & Nick Jr.

Honoree | 2015  

Graphis New Talent Annual

Gold winner | 2013          

HOW International Design Awards

Merit winner | 2012

Pratt Show Exhibition Manhattan Center

Selected exhibitor | 2011

Talks & Events

YouTube Interview with DesignSori

dzone Cisco Design Conference

Panelist | 2025

School of Visual Arts

Guest Speaker & Hackathon Coach | 2025

University of Northern Colorado

Guest Speaker | 2025

Union College

Guest Speaker | 2025

Colorado State University

Guest Speaker | 2024

University of Miami

Guest Lecturer | 2020 - 2025

Illuminz

Podcast Speaker | 2023

Krupynka Design Conference

International Keynote Speaker | 2022

Fashion Institute of Technology - UI Design Certificate Program

Guest Lecturer | 2020–2021

IBM CIO Design & Binghamton University NYC Connect Employer Treks

Host & Speaker | 2020 - 2021

Ascend Women in Technology

‍Spotlight Interviewee | 2020

Showtime Networks Company Visit

Host & Speaker | 2020

Women Talk Design Lightning talk

Spotlight speaker | 2020

The University of Florida & IBM CIO Design Day in the Life

Host & Speaker | 2019 - 2020

Verizon Media Company Visit

Host & Speaker | 2019

Luminary Company Visit

Host & Speaker | 2019

IBM CIO Design & The New School A day in the life & Portfolio review

Host & Speaker | 2019

IBM CIO Design & Pratt Institute Design Thinking Workshop

Design Thinking Coach | 2019

Brooklyn Product Design Meetup Talk

Spotlight speaker | 2019

Spotlight Speaker Presentation at Girls Who Code

Spotlight speaker | 2019

Mobile Prototyping Workshop at UXPA Norfolk

Speaker | 2019

Adobe & IBM: World Interaction Design Day Adobe XD workshop Lunch & Learn

Host & Speaker | 2019

IBM CIO Design & Binghamton University Psychology 101 class

Host & Speaker | 2019

IBM CIO Design & Binghamton University Design Thinking Workshop

Design Thinking Coach | 2019

Adobe SF Company Visit Client Presentation

Host & Speaker | 2018

NASA JPL Company Visit

Host & Speaker | 2018

IBM Design Day Panel: Cornell Tech and DFA Columbia

Host & Speaker & Panelist | 2018

Publications

AHFE Conference

What Am I Looking for? Improving User Sentiment by Enhancing Search and the Overall End User Experience in the Mobile Environment2020

AHFE Conference

Using High Fidelity Interactive Prototypes for Effective Communication to Create an Enterprise Mobile Application2020

AHFE Conference

Using Established UX Design Techniques and Visual Enhancements to Redesign an Enterprise Mobile App and Improve Employee Productivity and Engagement2019

blurry photo of sunset over ocean with logo on top

sooyundesign@gmail.com

© Soo Yun Kim 2025 All Rights Reserved

👋 I am glad you are here!

For more than a decade, I’ve built my career at the intersection of design, technology, and human behavior. I love taking messy, complex problems and shaping them into experiences that feel clear, intentional, and genuinely delightful. Whether it’s modernizing an enterprise workflow or defining mobile interaction patterns used by millions, I lead with curiosity, clarity, and a focus on meaningful impact.

 

I am an Emmy Award winning designer and currently a Principal Designer at Cisco, where I lead AI driven internal product experiences that help thousands of employees work smarter and collaborate more seamlessly. Before Cisco, I guided the mobile design vision for Google Drive, influencing the productivity of over a billion users worldwide. Earlier in my journey, I joined Triller as a founding member during its explosive growth to 300 million installs and served as a Design Principal at IBM, driving human centered solutions across global teams.

 

Beyond my product work, I speak internationally at design conferences and enjoy sharing insights with the broader community. I also mentor and teach emerging designers as a guest lecturer at institutions including Pratt Institute, SVA, FIT, The New School, Cornell University, University of Florida, and Binghamton University. Mentorship has always been one of the most meaningful parts of my career, and I’ve had the privilege of supporting thousands of designers throughout their growth.

 

Outside of work, I love spending time with my family, exploring new cities, wandering through local markets, and planning our next trip. I recharge through long walks, dive into RPG games when I’m in the mood for a different kind of adventure, and occasionally draw comics just for fun. I find that inspiration often appears in those quiet, unexpected in-between moments.

Cisco

Jun 2023 - Present

Leading the design of an AI-powered internal tool used by executive and senior leadership to accelerate decision-making, optimize sales strategy, and enhance business visibility across the organization

Google

Apr 2022 - Nov 2022

Led mobile UX for Google Drive across Android, iOS, and desktop, delivering platform-wide consistency and innovation for over 1B users

IBM

Mar 2017 - Apr 2022

Defined and led mobile UX strategy for 2,200+ enterprise applications used by 350,000 employees worldwide with VP and SVP-level stakeholders

Triller

Jul 2015 - Mar 2017

Founding designer of Triller(NASDAQ: ILLR), a viral music video platform with 300M+ installs and #1 App Store ranking in 50+ countries

Nickelodeon

Jun 2013 - Jul 2015

Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Creative Achievement in UX & Visual Design (2013, Nick App), recognized for leading design efforts on one of the industry’s most innovative kids’ platforms

Pratt

2009 - 2011

MS in Communication Design

Emphasis in Digital Design

Binghamton University

2007 - 2009

BA in Graphic Design

Major GPA 4.0, Harpur highest honor, Mega Cum Laude

Honors & Awards

“Mentor of the Year” by WomenTech Global Awards

Asian Design Prize

Jury | 2024 - 2025

WomenTech Network

30 Outstanding Women in Tech | 2024

Asia K-Design Award and Competition

Jury | 2020 - 2023

WomenTech Global Awards

Gold Winner, Mentor of the Year | 2022

WomenTech Global Awards

Finalist, Rising Star in STEM of the Year | 2020

Women in IT Awards 

Award announcer, Diversity Initiative of the Year | 2020

Women in IT Awards 

Nominated, Rising Star of the Year | 2020

Women in IT Awards

Award winner, IT Team of Year | 2019

IBM Manager's Choice Awards

Award winner | 2019

IBM Finance & Operations - Challenge Coin

Award winner | 2019

2 IBM Office of the CIO Award - Challenge Coin

Award winner | 2019

IBM DWE & CIO Design Hackathon

Award winner, Best use of new technology | 2019

IBM Finance & Operations Outstanding Achievements

Award winner | 2019

IBM Eminence & Excellence Award 

Award winner | 2018

Emmy Awards - Nick

Outstanding Creative Achievement | 2013  

2 The Webby Awards - Triller

People's Choice & Honoree | 2016

Reggie Award - Nick Jr. Birthday Club website

Loyalty Gold Winner | 2015

4 The Webby Awards - Nick & Nick Jr.

Honoree | 2015  

Graphis New Talent Annual

Gold winner | 2013          

HOW International Design Awards

Merit winner | 2012

Pratt Show Exhibition Manhattan Center

Selected exhibitor | 2011

Talks & Events

YouTube Interview with DesignSori

dzone Cisco Design Conference

Panelist | 2025

School of Visual Arts

Guest Speaker & Hackathon Coach | 2025

University of Northern Colorado

Guest Speaker | 2025

Union College

Guest Speaker | 2025

Colorado State University

Guest Speaker | 2024

University of Miami

Guest Lecturer | 2020 - 2025

Illuminz

Podcast Speaker | 2023

Krupynka Design Conference

International Keynote Speaker | 2022

Fashion Institute of Technology - UI Design Certificate Program

Guest Lecturer | 2020–2021

IBM CIO Design & Binghamton University NYC Connect Employer Treks

Host & Speaker | 2020 - 2021

Ascend Women in Technology

‍Spotlight Interviewee | 2020

Showtime Networks Company Visit

Host & Speaker | 2020

Women Talk Design Lightning talk

Spotlight speaker | 2020

The University of Florida & IBM CIO Design Day in the Life

Host & Speaker | 2019 - 2020

Verizon Media Company Visit

Host & Speaker | 2019

Luminary Company Visit

Host & Speaker | 2019

IBM CIO Design & The New School A day in the life & Portfolio review

Host & Speaker | 2019

IBM CIO Design & Pratt Institute Design Thinking Workshop

Design Thinking Coach | 2019

Brooklyn Product Design Meetup Talk

Spotlight speaker | 2019

Spotlight Speaker Presentation at Girls Who Code

Spotlight speaker | 2019

Mobile Prototyping Workshop at UXPA Norfolk

Speaker | 2019

Adobe & IBM: World Interaction Design Day Adobe XD workshop Lunch & Learn

Host & Speaker | 2019

IBM CIO Design & Binghamton University Psychology 101 class

Host & Speaker | 2019

IBM CIO Design & Binghamton University Design Thinking Workshop

Design Thinking Coach | 2019

Adobe SF Company Visit Client Presentation

Host & Speaker | 2018

NASA JPL Company Visit

Host & Speaker | 2018

IBM Design Day Panel: Cornell Tech and DFA Columbia

Host & Speaker & Panelist | 2018

Publications

AHFE Conference

What Am I Looking for? Improving User Sentiment by Enhancing Search and the Overall End User Experience in the Mobile Environment2020

AHFE Conference

Using High Fidelity Interactive Prototypes for Effective Communication to Create an Enterprise Mobile Application2020

AHFE Conference

Using Established UX Design Techniques and Visual Enhancements to Redesign an Enterprise Mobile App and Improve Employee Productivity and Engagement2019

blurry photo of sunset over ocean with logo on top

sooyundesign@gmail.com

© Soo Yun Kim 2025 All Rights Reserved