I’m Hazel Chen, a UIUX designer driven by how people feel, decide, and behave in digital environments.
My art and performance background trained me to observe subtle emotional cues and real-time reactions—skills that now shape my approach to research and interaction design. I focus on understanding not just what users do, but why they do it, and translate those insights into interfaces that build clarity, confidence, and trust.

In my work, I care deeply about the small moments: the micro-interactions that reduce hesitation, the visual cues that guide decision-making, and the structural choices that make complex tasks feel effortless. I aim to create experiences that support users intuitively and respectfully.

Outside of design, I enjoy exploring contemporary exhibitions, reading about behavioral psychology, and taking long city walks that help me observe how people interact with their environment.
I’m Hazel Chen, a UI/UX designer driven by how people feel, decide, and behave in digital environments.
My art and performance background trained me to observe subtle emotional cues and real-time reactions—skills that now shape my approach to research and interaction design. I focus on understanding not just what users do, but why they do it, and translate those insights into interfaces that build clarity, confidence, and trust.

In my work, I care deeply about the small moments: the micro-interactions that reduce hesitation, the visual cues that guide decision-making, and the structural choices that make complex tasks feel effortless. I aim to create experiences that support users intuitively and respectfully.

Outside of design, I enjoy exploring contemporary exhibitions, reading about behavioral psychology, and taking long city walks that help me observe how people interact with their environment.
Curriculum vitae
Education

 

2024                BFA in Studio Art, School of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL



Awards/Grants/Fellowships

 

2023                Honorable Mention Award, Teravarna Art Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2023                Special Recognition, Light Space & Time Art Gallery, Santa Fe, NM

2023                4th Place, Light Space & Time Art Gallery, Santa Fe, NM

2023                Honorable Mention Award, Teravarna Art Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2023                Finalist Award, Upward Gallery, GA

2023                Honorable Mention Award, Upward Gallery, GA

2020                Creative Honors Scholarship, School of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL



Solo Exhibition


2025                Boundaries of Being, Culturally Arts Collective, Washington, DC

2025                After Waking from a Dream, A Space Gallery, Brooklyn, NY



Group Exhibitions

 

2024                Sprout through Concrete, A Space Gallery, Brooklyn, NY

2024                Container, A Space Gallery, Brooklyn, NY

2024                Spring Undergraduate Exhibition, SAIC Galleries, Chicago, IL

2023                9th Abstract, Teravarna Art Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2023                13th Annual "Figurative", Light Space & Time Art Gallery, Santa Fe, NM

2023                14th Annual "Abstract”, Light Space & Time Art Gallery, Santa Fe, NM

2023                5th Color, Teravarna Art Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2023                Flowers, Upward Gallery, GA

2023                Artist of the Month, Upward Gallery, GA

2022                Abandoned Practices Institute, School of Art Institute of Chicago, 280 Gallery, Chicago, IL

2022                Abandoned Practices Institute, SAIC Galleries, Chicago, IL

2021                Parasitic Practice, School of Art Institute of Chicago 280 Gallery Chicago, IL

2021                WWWO, School of Art Institute of Chicago 280 Gallery, Chicago, IL

 

Bibliography



"A Groundbreaking Solo Exhibition Exploring Psychological Landscapes", The Washington Dispatch, January 30, 2025.

                https://www.washingtondispatch.com/a-groundbreaking-solo-exhibition-exploring-psychological-landscapes/

"Meet Hazel Chen | Installation Artist", Shoutout Atlanta, December 19, 2024.

                https://shoutoutatlanta.com/meet-hazel-chen-installation-artist/

 "INTERVIEW | Qixin Chen", Al-Tiba9, May 30, 2023.

                https://www.altiba9.com/platfrom-interviews-for-artists/qixin-chen-mixed-media-installation-society



Curatorial Projects

 

2024                Marks, A Space Gallery, Brooklyn, NY

2024                Sprout through Concrete, A Space Gallery, Brooklyn, NY

2024                Container, A Space Gallery, Brooklyn, NY

2021                Parasitic Practice, School of Art Institute of Chicago 280 Gallery Chicago, IL

2021                WWWO, School of Art Institute of Chicago 280 Gallery, Chicago, IL