Joy Lin

Global Challenge: Designing Spaces Where Every Voice Belongs

Joy Lin is a sophomore from Vancouver, Canada, studying Integrated Design & Media. Her interests lie in creating immersive, human-centred experiences that blend technology and interaction, driven by a fascination with how people engage physically and emotionally with the spaces around them. That same curiosity extends beyond her academic work–one of her favourite hobbies is exploring grocery stores! From store layouts to product displays, she loves to observe how certain design choices reveal the local priorities and habits while subtly shaping the experiences of the people who move through those spaces (her all-time favourite is Trader Joe’s!).

Joy serves as the Aesthetics Lead for NYU Concrete Canoe, is a member of Theta Tau, helps Operations for NYU Motorsports, and works at the IDM Design Lab. She is currently collaborating with the nonprofit arts and technology organization 3-Legged Dog, which supports under-resourced artists in creating experimental work, and contributed to the Defining Accessibility for XR VIP, creating visual materials that promote inclusive design. After graduation, Joy hopes to continue developing skills in interdisciplinary collaboration by working at the intersection of design and immersive media, such as exploring display and experiential design. She hopes to create engaging physical and digital environments, believing that thoughtfully designed experiences can have a meaningful impact on people's lives.

Joy is excited to join the GLASS program because it offers the opportunity to explore how inclusive design can address challenges beyond individual classrooms and impact larger educational systems, which is why she is interested in the UN SDG’s Quality Education, Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure, and Reduced Inequalities. Her experiences in designing interactive environments and studying inclusive design has shown her how thoughtful designs can empower participation and reduce barriers to learning. She believes every student deserves the opportunity to succeed regardless of their learning style or circumstances, and hopes–through her designs–to create more equitable educational experiences that help learners around the world find their voices.