Influential Woman · Technology | Design
Kyong A Oh
UX Designer / Visual Designer, Microsoft
Redmond, WA 98052
Her Story
About Kyong
Kyong A Oh, professionally known as Haley, is a UX and Visual Designer at Microsoft, where she serves on the prestigious Surface Team in Seattle, Washington. With approximately eight years of experience in the design industry, Haley brings a rich and diverse creative background that spans brand identity, graphic design, user experience, and future-focused technology. Her journey into design was shaped early on by her upbringing in Korea, where she was immersed in a household of creativity — both of her parents are fashion designers, surrounding her with fabrics, illustrations, and an innate appreciation for aesthetics. Before finding her footing in the digital design world, she explored psychology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, ventured into fashion studies, and gained hands-on retail experience as a visual merchandiser at Louis Vuitton. These varied experiences gave her a uniquely layered lens through which she approaches design — one that is deeply human, sensory, and intentional.
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Haley's academic path ultimately led her to ArtCenter College of Design in Los Angeles, where she earned her Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, graduating with Distinction. It was during this chapter that her career truly took flight. Her graduate thesis work centered on AI incubation devices and forward-thinking design concepts, and a Samsung-sponsored collaboration with the company's Mobile eXperience team further demonstrated her ability to bridge physical and digital product storytelling at the highest level. The caliber and vision of that work caught the attention of Microsoft, which led to her joining the Surface Team — a testament to her ability to think beyond convention and push the boundaries of what design can accomplish. Her accolades reflect this standard of excellence, having earned multiple honors including two DNA Paris Design Awards, two Creative Communication Awards, and two Asia Design Prize wins across her career.
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At the heart of Haley's work is a deeply held belief that great design should resonate with people on a lasting, personal level. She approaches every project with a thoughtful consideration of ergonomics, user perception, and emotional connection — driven by the conviction that well-crafted products can seamlessly become part of people's everyday lives. Beyond her technical expertise, she leads with optimism and self-trust, values she credits as the foundation of her growth through an unconventional and boundary-crossing career path. Whether navigating cultural transitions, academic reinvention, or new professional frontiers, Haley consistently channels her passion into purpose — creating work that is not only visually compelling, but meaningfully human.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kyong
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to positivity and optimism. I believe that no one is perfect, and there are moments when self-doubt creeps in — but what keeps me grounded is focusing on the value I bring to my work and to the people I serve. Constantly reflecting on how I can make a positive impact, rather than dwelling on limitations, has been a steady force in my growth both personally and professionally.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The most transformative advice I ever received came from a professor and mentor I met during my graduate studies, while working on my Samsung project. She was a remarkable woman — a strong, accomplished designer with her own studio — and she looked at me and said, "Haley, you've got to find what you really love to do." That single statement changed everything. It pushed me to move beyond simply going through the motions and to truly seek out what I wanted from my life and career. I believe everyone deserves that moment of clarity — finding what you genuinely love and then pursuing it without limits.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is simple: chase your dream and find what you are truly passionate about. When I look back on my own career path, every meaningful step forward came from following what I genuinely loved. Passion is not just a feeling — it is the fuel that drives excellence. When you are deeply connected to what you do, it shows in your work, your resilience, and your growth. Find what sets your heart on fire, and let that guide everything you do.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the most significant challenges I have faced — and continue to see — is dealing with people who underestimate what you are capable of. There were moments in my own journey when others told me I was too old, or that it was too late to pursue my ambitions abroad. But I learned that no one else has the authority to define your limits. That power belongs only to you. The greatest opportunity, then, lies in cultivating deep self-trust — in knowing that you alone determine how far you can go, regardless of what others project onto you.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Positivity, optimism, and self-trust are the values I hold closest, both in my work and in my personal life. I believe in approaching every challenge with a mindset rooted in possibility. I also deeply value the idea of contribution — of knowing that what I create has a meaningful impact on the people who use it and on the broader society. These values are not just professional principles for me; they are the foundation of how I move through the world.
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