Uyen Hoang: From Vietnam to Cornell to Lovepop — Bridging Art, Design, and Technology
Interview by Xiao He · Mother of Success · October 13, 2025
Self-Introduction
Xiao He:
Uyen, thank you so much for taking the time to sit down with me today. Could you start by introducing yourself to our readers?
Uyen Hoang:
Hi, I’m Uyen, and I’m from Vietnam. I spent my whole life there before coming to the U.S. for college. I went to Cornell University—originally to study Fine Arts—but later discovered programming and the Information Science major, which blends art, design, and technology.
Now I work as a Product Designer at Lovepop, the company known for its 3D pop-up cards. I’m based in Seattle and work remotely.
Finding the Opportunity
Xiao He:
I love Lovepop! When I lived in New York, I used to visit the Hudson Yards store just to look at the beautiful cards. How did you find this opportunity after Cornell?
Uyen Hoang:
It was actually through networking. After graduation, I struggled to find a job and applied everywhere, but I wasn’t networking enough. Later, a friend and mentor—also a product designer—introduced me to the recruiter at Lovepop after she decided the role wasn’t right for her.
That’s how I applied and got in. The interview process was long but straightforward, and I really liked the people I met. Networking made all the difference—I learned that the hard way.
Working Across Cultures
Xiao He:
You mentioned you collaborate closely with both the U.S. marketing team and the tech team in Vietnam. How does your bilingual, bicultural background influence your work?
Uyen Hoang:
It’s really interesting because I can understand both languages and cultures. When the U.S. team visited Vietnam, I helped bridge communication between the two sides.
The tech team speaks English well, but they’re more comfortable in Vietnamese. So when I communicate in Vietnamese, they open up more and we can discuss details deeply—especially about design or technical challenges. I act as a bridge between the marketing and tech teams, helping everyone collaborate better.
Design and A/B Testing
Xiao He:
When you talk about A/B testing, is that for website design or for the physical card designs?
Uyen Hoang:
It’s for the site experience design (web and mobile). I create multiple design iterations, and we choose which ones to send to development or A/B testing.
After two weeks or a month, we analyze data—conversion rates, interactions, and other metrics—to see which version performs better. The data helps us back up design decisions.
Art, Design, and Manufacturing
Xiao He:
Do you also get to work with the artists who create the pop-up imagery?
Uyen Hoang:
Yes! Lovepop has design teams in both the U.S. and Vietnam. When I visited the Vietnam office, I saw how detailed the process is—from selecting paper and materials to cutting and assembling.
Seeing the craftsmanship behind each card was mind-blowing. It takes so much precision and collaboration between art, math, and engineering. I feel grateful to contribute to that process—bringing the story from physical design to digital storytelling on the website.
From Fine Arts to Technology
Xiao He:
You started in Fine Arts before switching to Information Science. Why did you choose Fine Arts initially, and how has that shaped your current work?
Uyen Hoang:
Since childhood, I loved drawing—especially Doraemon comics! I used to draw on everything—tables, notebooks, walls. In high school, I applied to an architecture school in Vietnam but quickly realized it wasn’t right for me.
That was a dark time—I felt lost and unsure what to do next. I decided to start over and apply to U.S. universities. Cornell accepted me because of my art portfolio. Once there, I took my first Python class—it was so hard, but I loved it!
Eventually, I switched to Information Science, which let me combine design, technology, and behavioral science. I kept Fine Arts as a minor and also studied Game Design. That mix gave me both creativity and structure—skills I use every day as a designer.
Courage and Independence
Xiao He:
It’s brave that you left architecture school in Vietnam to start over. What gave you the courage?
Uyen Hoang:
I always believed that I had to live, not just exist. If I stay somewhere that feels like a prison, it’s not life. So when I realized architecture wasn’t for me, I decided to leave.
My family didn’t want me to go because I’m the only daughter, but I told them:
“This is my decision. I’ll be responsible for it—whether it succeeds or fails.”
If I had stayed, I would have blamed others. I didn’t want that.
High School and Early Influences
Xiao He:
You mentioned your high school experience helped when applying to college. How so?
Uyen Hoang:
We didn’t have art classes in high school, but I was in a wonderful environment. My classmates and I organized big events—like Halloween celebrations for the entire school—and learned teamwork and leadership.
I wrote about these experiences in my essays. I’m grateful for those friends—they were ambitious, creative, and supportive. Every day at school felt joyful.
Roots and Identity
Xiao He:
Which city did you grow up in?
Uyen Hoang:
Cam Ranh City—a very small town in Vietnam. My high school wasn’t international, but the people there were amazing. I truly believe that if my classmates had the same opportunities, they could thrive abroad too. Many just didn’t know it was possible.
Language and Growth
Xiao He:
You speak both Vietnamese and English—how has that shaped your identity as a designer?
Uyen Hoang:
Honestly, I learned English quite late. We didn’t have native speakers in my town, so I learned through reading and listening.
When I arrived in the U.S., I was terrified to speak up because of my accent. But my friends were patient—they never judged me. They helped me express myself and correct my pronunciation kindly. That support gave me confidence, and it still shapes how I communicate and collaborate today.
Closing Thoughts
Xiao He:
That’s beautiful. I can truly see your warmth and resilience shining through. Thank you so much, Uyen. I know whatever you do next, you’ll be incredibly successful.