Hey! I’m Dr Karen Yao.

No, I’m not a Doctor. That’s just an example of bad UX, and false advertising.

Experience Design is in everything: from abbreviations to applications. Distinguishing bad from good, good from feasible, and feasible from great—then designing action plans and prototypes to get us there—is what I do.

Think “UX to execution”—a full-stack approach to product.

I’m Designer Karen Yao, Lead Product Designer at Sparrow Connected (a ThoughExchange company), where I own everything from user research and design strategy to writing feature specs and shipping with devs & QAs for a platform used by thousands of people daily.

Oh! And here’s a tip of the day.

Learn about me

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_{Portfolio last updated in March 2024. Editing in progress as of June 2025.}

Spotlight

Check out what I’ve been up to.

Sparrow Connected Omnichannel Communications Platform

Lead the product, UX, UI, and communication design of all channels (Mobile, Web, MS Teams, MS SharePoint and Email Comms)
Define and document feature roadmaps and requirements
Conduct user, competitive and market research
Develop wireframes, mock-ups and prototypes
Work with engineers, users, stakeholders, clients, leaders

Learn more

View product updates

Marketing & Branding at Sparrow Connected

Create, update, maintain the company website
Design, establish, and implement brand identity
Develop webpages, ads, imagery, graphics, videos
Design and create digital and printed promotional material, and manage procurement

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Map the System: Mapping Accessibility in Education for Invisible Disabilities

🏆 _{Campus Finalist}

Created and designed the systems map, using the team’s research, in Kumu.io
Co-designed presentation and documentation deliverables
Acted as peer coach to the award-winning team through design, project management, and presentation support

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View systems map

Wrecks to Riches: A team-based online puzzle game for world wanderers

⚠️ Video will have answer keys to the puzzles.

Created and developed the game purely from Axure
Conceptualized and designed the puzzles
Led the UI and UX design of the game
Worked with graduate students

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Play game now

AR Bud: A paw-sitive mobile app pocket pet mood booster

Created and led the design for the mobile prototype in Figma
Edited the final presentation video
Worked with graduate students

Learn more

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Bundle, Joy comes in different ways – A mobile app that challenges traditional childbirth

Created and designed the prototype in Figma
Ideated via worldbuilding strategy
Created personas and conducted user research and a SWOT analysis

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Music Revolution: A virtual or in-person board game for music lovers

Created, designed and developed the game purely from Axure
Led the UI and UX design of the board game
Worked with graduate students

Tip: Win the game to make the vinyl spin!

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Play game now

Deimax, Your Personal Diagnostics Companion – A smart cup and a mobile app that scans saliva for any viral or bacterial infection

Created and led the design for the mobile prototype in Figma
Edited the final presentation video
Worked with graduate students
Ideated via worldbuilding strategy

Learn more

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_{Image source: “Big Hero 6 Review” by Empire Online}

Tip of the Day

We designed an app called Deimax, and I got its branding from a movie poster. If you’re struggling with a palette for a project, you can use this technique too:

Get a movie poster or an image that is related to your product, something you like and something eye-catching. Take 5-6 colours from that poster for your palette, making sure you have primary and accent colors along the way.