Episode Overview
Felix shares how he:
Built ADPList from a humble spreadsheet during the early days of COVID-19 into a global community of over 4,000 designers and 300+ mentors.
Balances military service with his role as a Design Lead at GoTrade, a Y Combinator-backed startup aiming to democratize access to U.S. stocks in Southeast Asia.
Began his product design career through an unconventional path—founding a startup (PackDat) that was later acquired, which led to his first official design role.
Envisions design as a force for good, from helping job-seeking designers connect with mentors worldwide to supporting initiatives that address social issues such as racial inequality.
Key Takeaways
Start Before You’re “Ready.” Felix’s introduction to design came from necessity: he simply needed to create a product for his startup. By building first and learning along the way, he eventually led a design team—despite no formal design education.
Embrace Community & Mentorship. ADPList originated from the desire to help designers who were laid off during the pandemic. Felix underscores that designers gain confidence, feedback, and jobs faster when they connect with peers and mentors across the globe.
Collaboration is Everything. Whether it’s in military service (where teamwork and discipline are paramount) or in product design, Felix stresses that big, meaningful projects are rarely done alone.
Be Clear on Your “Why.” Felix advises anyone searching for work to be intentional about the roles they pursue. Reflect on the type of company and culture you want before taking a job, and then seek guidance from mentors to sharpen your portfolio and interview skills.
Designing for Positive Impact. Beyond career growth, Felix believes design should improve the human experience—whether that’s promoting diversity and inclusion, or creating products that tackle sustainability challenges.
Favorite Quote
“We are not what we have, but what we give.”
– Felix Lee
