My name is Leili Hashemi, and I’m a Los Angeles–based digital designer focused on bringing beauty to essential spaces. After graduating from UC Berkeley, my life took a profound turn in 2020 when I experienced a major stroke. That experience reshaped not only my path, but also how I understand the role design plays during moments of vulnerability.

During my recovery, I discovered how powerful design and beauty can be in difficult circumstances. This understanding deepened when I began ceramics. Experiencing beauty during a time marked by discomfort, limitation, and uncertainty showed me that design can offer moments of relief, restore dignity, and reintroduce a sense of possibility when everything else feels heavy. That realization fundamentally shaped how I see design and its responsibility.

My lived experience also made me aware of how many digital tools serving people with diverse abilities or complex life circumstances often overlook user’s emotional experience because they are prioritizing functionality and compliance (understandably). While these platforms provide essential services, the absence of warmth can make them feel cold, overwhelming, or impersonal. In those moments, users may disengage, delay seeking support, or avoid resources altogether.

These experiences inspired me to enter the design field. I am especially passionate about elevating digital spaces that provide essential services by integrating clarity, usability, and visual design. I believe aesthetics are not an added luxury, but a critical layer of user experience.

When digital environments feel thoughtful and warm, users are more likely to engage, trust the platform, and fully utilize the resources available to them. My goal is to help organizations transform necessary, often sterile digital experiences into spaces that honor the full human experience—so users not only access services, but feel encouraged to engage.