A Design Mentor

Sandy Hongsan Chen
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  • PERSONAL JOURNALS

A collection of thoughts from a product design mentor on how design is simply a part of life.

  1. 03/09/2025

    EP 014 Getting to the Core of Value

    In this episode, I get to the core of value, and the term value proposition. It’s not as a buzzword, but a promise designers make. I share how creating my own “life kit” revealed that value isn’t just about function, but the overlap of intentions. What you’ll hear
 。What value proposition really means in design and life 。How function, need, delight, and sentiment create value 。Why every design is, at its heart, a promise ◉ What was a value you didn’t understand at first, but later came to truly appreciate? ──────────────────── ▦ About & Support ⁠⁠⦚ ⁠⁠Who is Sandy?⁠ ⦚ ⁠Buy me a coffee⁠ ⦚ ⁠helloadesignmentor@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ -- ▥ Elsewhere ⁠⁠⦚ ⁠⁠Youtube⁠ (English Subtitles / 繁中字幕) ⁠⁠⦚ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠ -- ▧ Music ⦚ ⁠⁠Epidemic Sound⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -- ▨ Stack ⁠⁠Shure MV7+ / Descript / Canva -- ◉ All content, recording and editing are by ⁠⁠Sandy Hongsan Chen⁠⁠.

    9 min

  2. 31/03/2025

    EP 013 Users Light The Way—Seeing Design Through Their Eyes

    Every user follows a journey, but unexpected roadblocks can change their path. By mapping these journeys, we can uncover frustrations, improve experiences, and create better designs. Let’s explore how user journeys shape both products and personal growth. ──────────────────── ▦ About & Support ⁠⁠⦚ ⁠Who is Sandy? ⦚ Buy me a coffee ⦚ helloadesignmentor@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ -- ▥ Elsewhere ⁠⁠⦚ ⁠Youtube (English Subtitles / 繁中字幕) ⁠⁠⦚ ⁠Instagram -- ▧ Music ⦚ ⁠Epidemic Sound⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -- ▨ Stack ⁠⁠Shure MV7+ / Descript / Canva -- ◉ All content, recording and editing are by ⁠⁠Sandy Hongsan Chen⁠⁠.

    9 min

  3. 16/03/2025

    EP 012 You are NOT your user — my learning lesson

    Design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about understanding people. In this episode, I dive into the biggest lesson I learned in design: you are NOT your user. Avoiding assumptions and embracing real-world insights can make all the difference. ◉ Can you think of the moment that changed your point of view on someone? ──────────────────── ▦ About & Support ⁠⁠⦚ ⁠Who is Sandy? ⦚ Buy me a coffee ⦚ helloadesignmentor@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ -- ▥ Elsewhere ⁠⁠⦚ ⁠Youtube (English Subtitles / 繁中字幕) ⁠⁠⦚ ⁠Instagram -- ▧ Music ⦚ ⁠Epidemic Sound⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -- ▨ Stack ⁠⁠Shure MV7+ / Descript / Canva -- ◉ All content, recording and editing are by ⁠⁠Sandy Hongsan Chen⁠⁠.

    9 min

  4. 28/01/2025

    EP 011 What are (digital) products?

    In this episode, I break down what digital products are in the simplest way possible, sharing how I’ve explained my work to different people over the years—including my own mom. Design can often feel complex or abstract, but at its core, it’s deeply connected to our everyday experiences.I’ll guide you through how digital products are not so different from the physical items we rely on daily. By drawing these connections, I hope to make it easier to see the role design plays in how we interact with the world, especially as technology continues to evolve. ◉ I’d love to know—what’s your favorite physical product and your favorite digital product? What makes them special to you? ──────────────────── ▦ About & Support ⁠⁠⦚ ⁠Who is Sandy? ⦚ Buy me a coffee ⦚ helloadesignmentor@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ -- ▥ Elsewhere ⁠⁠⦚ ⁠Youtube (English Subtitles / 繁中字幕) ⁠⁠⦚ ⁠Instagram -- ▧ Music ⦚ ⁠Epidemic Sound⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -- ▨ Stack ⁠⁠Shure MV7+ / Descript / Canva -- ◉ All content, recording and editing are by ⁠⁠Sandy Hongsan Chen⁠⁠.

    10 min

  5. 06/01/2025

    EP 010 Pivoting is redesigning life through change

    In this episode, I explore the concept of pivoting—not just in business, but as a powerful tool for personal growth. I share how my own pivoting moments, filled with uncertainty and courage, helped me reshape my life, and how witnessing others' pivots as a mentor has been equally inspiring. What you'll hear: ⦂ Why pivoting isn’t about the destination but the process ⦂ The lessons I’ve learned from my own life transitions ⦂ How embracing change can lead to unexpected growth ◉ How do you relate to pivoting? ──────────────────── ▦ About & Support ⁠⁠⦚ ⁠Who is Sandy? ⦚ Buy me a coffee ⦚ helloadesignmentor@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ -- ▥ Elsewhere ⁠⁠⦚ ⁠Youtube (English Subtitles / 繁中字幕) ⁠⁠⦚ ⁠Instagram -- ▧ Music ⦚ ⁠Epidemic Sound⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -- ▨ Stack ⁠⁠Shure MV7+ / Descript / Canva -- ◉ All content, recording and editing are by ⁠⁠Sandy Hongsan Chen⁠⁠.

    8 min

  6. 25/12/2024

    EP 009 Empathy might not be what you thought it was

    In this episode, I dive into the real meaning of empathy—not just as a design buzzword, but as a life-changing practice. I share how becoming a product designer helped me understand empathy on a deeper level, shaping how I connect with work, relationships, and even myself. What you'll hear: ⦂ How design research transformed my view of empathy ⦂ Real-life examples of empathy in action ⦂ How empathy improves work, collaboration, and personal growth ◉ How do you relate to empathy? ──────────────────── ▦ About & Support ⁠⁠⦚ ⁠Who is Sandy? ⦚ Buy me a coffee ⦚ helloadesignmentor@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ -- ▥ Elsewhere ⁠⁠⦚ ⁠Youtube (English Subtitles / 繁中字幕) ⁠⁠⦚ ⁠Instagram -- ▧ Music ⦚ ⁠Epidemic Sound⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -- ▨ Stack ⁠⁠Shure MV7+ / Descript / Canva -- ◉ All content, recording and editing are by ⁠⁠Sandy Hongsan Chen⁠⁠.

    9 min

  7. 18/12/2024

    EP 008 What if failure was the key to success?

    In this episode, I reflect on how my understanding of success and failure has evolved over the years—shaped by personal loss, career shifts, and meaningful projects. I share a deeply personal story about losing my sister, how it changed my values, and how it redefined what success means to me. What you'll hear: ⦂ Why success isn’t one-size-fits-all ⦂ How failure can be a powerful teacher ⦂ The role of meaningful work in personal growth ◉ What’s your most recent failure, and what did you learn from it? ──────────────────── ▦ About & Support ⁠⁠⦚ ⁠Who is Sandy? ⦚ Buy me a coffee ⦚ helloadesignmentor@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ -- ▥ Elsewhere ⁠⁠⦚ ⁠Youtube (English Subtitles / 繁中字幕) ⁠⁠⦚ ⁠Instagram -- ▧ Music ⦚ ⁠Epidemic Sound⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -- ▨ Stack ⁠⁠Shure MV7+ / Descript / Canva -- ◉ All content, recording and editing are by ⁠⁠Sandy Hongsan Chen⁠⁠.

    9 min

  8. 08/12/2024

    EP 007 How staying curious fuels creativity and growth

    In this episode, I dive into the role of curiosity in shaping our personal growth, creativity, and even our careers. How do we stay open and willing to learn as we move through life? Why does curiosity matter so much, especially in creative work? I share personal stories—like designing for sports I barely knew—and reflections on how curiosity has helped me adapt to new cultures, explore art forms like Kintsugi, and build meaningful connections with the world. ◉ How do you stay curious? ──────────────────── ▦ About & Support ⁠⁠⦚ ⁠Who is Sandy? ⦚ Buy me a coffee ⦚ helloadesignmentor@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ -- ▥ Elsewhere ⁠⁠⦚ ⁠Youtube (English Subtitles / 繁中字幕) ⁠⁠⦚ ⁠Instagram -- ▧ Music ⦚ ⁠Epidemic Sound⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -- ▨ Stack ⁠⁠Shure MV7+ / Descript / Canva -- ◉ All content, recording and editing are by ⁠⁠Sandy Hongsan Chen⁠⁠.

    8 min
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About

A collection of thoughts from a product design mentor on how design is simply a part of life.

Information

  • Creator
    Sandy Hongsan Chen
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sandy Hongsan Chen
  • Show Website
    A Design Mentor