Hey, I’m Derek.

I’m a NYC-based designer. Currently, I’m a Staff Designer at Google on Gemini in Chrome, building trustworthy, AI-first features for the future of the browser and the web. Before that, I worked on privacy and user trust in Chrome.

Derek running a team workshop, pointing at sticky notes on a whiteboard with a coworker.
2024Running a team workshop at Google with coworkers

Some important facets of my life:A glimpse into my life...

I’m a designer by trade, creative generalist at heart.

The path to discovering my passion for work was never linear, but I’m grateful to be able to work at the intersection of so many fields I love.

Principally, understanding how people interact with world around us, and designing experiences to make them even better is probably the impetus behind what originally drove me to the field of design.

I’m also proud to be the first one in my family to finish college, and also pursue graduate school, although none of this would have been possible without the support of my family.

Collage of Derek with coworkers at events, at his desk, and presenting on stage.

I’m a firm believer in continuous learning and growth.

After so much formal schooling, I’ve learned that the best way to learn is by applying skills to real-world problems in uncontrolled environments.

I’m currently immersed in the following:

  1. Language learning: learning Korean, Thai, and Spanish to help me connect with people on a deeper level.
  2. Video production: creating and editing videos about design and my life on my Youtube channel.
  3. Productivity and goal setting: researching how I can help make people the best versions of themselves through accountability and reinforcement.
Collage of Derek at a hackathon, at graduations, filming a video, and journaling.

I engage in activities with the goal of seeking fun, community, challenge, and self-improvement.

I’m a competitive spirit, and I prioritize winning against myself over others. Recently, I’ve deeply immersed myself in the physical, mental, and cultural elements of Muay Thai, and hope to spend more time practicing with top Krus in Thailand.

In addition to amassing bruises all over my body from sparring, I’m also infamous for having collected an assortment of injuries for my scrappy play on the basketball court.

As I grow older, I hope to continue to use play as the medium to meet others, build my community, and stay young at heart.

Collage of Derek training Muay Thai and playing sports.

I’m a proponent of resting to find flow, and seek comfort and peace through self-discovery and self-care.

I spend a lot of time cuddling my three-year old Shih Tzu, Koda, who looks like an old man but has the energy of a puppy.

When I have time, I love traveling, trying unfamiliar foods, and exploring new places. Next up on my list of places to visit are Japan and Indonesia.

Lastly, I spend a lot of my time looking inwardly and planning for the future using my Baron Fig bullet journal. I tend to think a lot, and using a journal is cathartic, as it allows me to map out my thoughts and help me decompress.

Collage of Derek’s dog Koda, travel photos, and his bullet journal.

Thanks for visiting my site – let’s connect!

Right now, I’m looking to connect with people who are passionate about sharing knowledge and pushing each other towards our goals. Over time, I’ve discovered that the best relationships are the ones where a diverse group of individuals are willing to cross-pollinate ideas.

In particular, I’m interested in sharing knowledge and learning together, especially about design, AI, product, accessibility, Muay Thai, and startups.

If you’re a designer looking to break in the field or want to learn about my experiences, please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.

Connect with Me

Thanks for stopping by.

Derek Mei