Emily Tran is a UX designer, cognitive psychology enthusiast, and advocate for inclusive, research-driven design. With roots in the Bay Area and a background in both cognitive science and visual design, Emily builds digital experiences that are not only elegant—but empathetic, intuitive, and deeply informed by human behavior.

Her guiding philosophy—“Design begins with listening, not wireframes”—captures her belief that the best interfaces begin with understanding real people, in real contexts. Emily sees design as a bridge between intention and interaction, and she’s passionate about asking the right questions long before choosing fonts or colors.

Emily’s expertise spans UX/UI, user research, and the development of scalable design systems. She has helped startups, edtech companies, and mission-driven platforms create thoughtful, accessible experiences that serve diverse users across devices and abilities.

What’s fueled his lasting impact in human-centered design?

Empathy rooted in cognitive psychology
A process-first mindset focused on systems, not shortcuts
Deep commitment to accessibility and equity in tech

As a mentor, Emily is curious, collaborative, and generous with her process. She supports early-career designers, career-switchers, and students in refining their craft, building portfolios, and approaching UX challenges with confidence and care.

Outside of work?

You’ll find her conducting “everyday UX audits” in public spaces, sketching design ideas in cafés, or cycling through local parks with her camera in hand.

How she Can Help

Guiding UX/UI Projects from Research to High-Fidelity Prototypes
Mentoring Junior Designers & Career-Changers in Tech
Conducting Usability Testing & User Interviews
Building and Managing Scalable Design Systems
Teaching Journey Mapping, Information Architecture & UX Strategy
Conducting Accessibility Audits & Inclusive Design Reviews
Supporting Portfolio Development & Interview Preparation
Leading Workshops on Figma & Collaborative Design Tools
Applying Cognitive Psychology to User-Centered Design
Embedding Empathy & Equity into Every Stage of the Design Process