Hi, I’m Amelie Peng
a Professional Creator. Product Designer. UI/UX Specialist.

April 18, 2024

Daily Training for a Multilingual Designer

Greetings, everyone! 🌟

I’ve had the pleasure of calling Japan home for over 7 years now. Without a doubt, Japanese has become second nature for me in everyday life. Additionally, being part of a global team means seamlessly switching between English, Mandarin, and Japanese to collaborate with colleagues from all corners of the world.

To be candid, I’m no linguistic prodigy. Hailing from Taipei, Taiwan, Mandarin and Taiwanese were my first languages. English? Well, let’s just say my journey with it had its share of bumps, even through my school years. It wasn’t until my twenties that I ventured into learning Japanese out of sheer interest. While I did manage to attain an N3 certification after a year of dedicated study, balancing work and learning was no easy feat. I even dabbled in French for a spell, though my repertoire now consists mainly of basic pleasantries.

Navigating a multilingual environment like mine requires more than just language proficiency; it demands a blend of adaptability and cultural awareness. Take our European counterparts, for instance—they effortlessly navigate between languages thanks to their rich cultural tapestry. As a Taiwanese designer living in Japan, I’ve learned to find common ground through shared interests and experiences.Thankfully, my love for travel and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds keeps my motivation soaring. Plus, having a Japanese partner adds an extra layer of cultural immersion and inspiration.

Now, onto my approach to language learning: a mix of structured learning and immersive experiences. From indulging in foreign films and podcasts to casual hangouts with friends, I find joy in every opportunity to expand my linguistic horizons. And let’s not forget my weekly online English sessions with my esteemed teacher from across the Pacific.However, with increased focus on second and third languages, I’ve noticed a slight dip in my proficiency in my mother tongue. To counter this, I stay connected with my Taiwanese roots through regular communication with friends and curated podcasts from home.

In the end, language learning is a journey—one that requires dedication, consistency, and a touch of humor. While professionalism is paramount, injecting a bit of levity into the mix fosters a more enjoyable and collaborative work environment.

Here’s to embracing diversity, fostering connections, and continuing to grow together as a global team. Cheers! 🌍✨

April 17, 2024

Do Designers Need An Online Portfolio?

I once heard a senior designer friend mention that when he noticed a designer submitting a job application with a PDF briefing, he mentally deducted points from their evaluation. So, I inquired, “What tool would you recommend for designer interviews when it comes to presentations?”

It’s not uncommon for product (UI/UX) designers to lack a personal website. Lately, within the UI/UX design community, there’s been a buzz about leveraging Notion’s online publishing feature to craft digital portfolios. Additionally, tools like Figma for UI design, PowerPoint, or Google Slides for presentations are widely used.

In my experience, I initially relied on PowerPoint to assemble my design portfolio. Over time, I transitioned to using Figma for layout design, which I then exported into PDF format. If I were to pinpoint a drawback of PDFs, it would be their tendency to bloat in size with added content, making them cumbersome to email to recruiters or headhunters. The ability to streamline content through URLs in online portfolios is undoubtedly advantageous.

Nevertheless, I’ve faced the predicament of being unable to access the internet during an interview in an office with poor network connectivity. In such scenarios, offline files come to the rescue, ensuring accessibility.

I firmly believe that a product (UI/UX) designer should be committed to staying abreast of the latest technologies. However, alongside this pursuit, they must possess versatile adaptability and embrace both new and traditional formats without constraint.

April 17, 2024

Notion, The Best Assistant for Designers Ever

I’ve been using Notion for over 5 years now, a tool that’s become a staple for many, especially those in the IT field. Rather than delving into its greatness or providing a how-to guide (plenty of those already out there), I’d like to share how it’s been a valuable assistant to me as a product (UI/UX) designer.

1. Design Knowledge Hub

Within my Notion setup, there’s a section called “Design Knowledge.” Whenever I stumble upon valuable design insights or tips, I simply drop them in there for safekeeping.

2. Online English Lesson Repository

Working in a multilingual environment, I’ve been diligently taking online English lessons for over 2 years. My English teacher provides a wealth of inspiring materials, all of which I catalog under “Online English Lessons” in Notion. From vocabulary tables to transcripts and video links, I store it all along with my reflections after each session.

3. Design Project Management

Even for my personal side projects, I rely on Notion as a project manager. I outline the stages of each project and create checklists to ensure nothing falls through the cracks. Notion, paired with Figma and other design tools, forms the ultimate toolkit for project management.

4. Personal Website Backup

I learned the hard way after losing all my website data once. Since then, I’ve made it a habit to back up everything in Notion, including my online portfolio and even the very article you’re reading now.

5. Podcast Planning

Another crucial aspect of my Notion setup is drafting and organizing bullet points for podcast interviews. It allows me to share these points with guests ahead of time and keeps track of published articles for social media promotion.

Notion serves a multitude of purposes beyond these examples, such as organizing travel plans and to-do lists. Given our brains’ tendency for non-linear thinking, having a reliable memo tool like Notion is essential for capturing every moment and idea. If you haven’t given Notion a shot yet, I highly recommend giving it a try.