From Art to Impact: Julie Topp on Redefining UX Design Through Creativity and Vision

An Interview with Julie Topp by Kendall Klein

Welcome to Plugged-In: UX Unveiled, a series brought to you by the Silicon Valley UX Awards. In this edition, we’re thrilled to sit down with Julie Topp, a UX designer whose journey blends creativity, technical mastery, and entrepreneurial spirit. Julie joins us to share her experiences, insights, and what continues to inspire her in the evolving world of UX.

Kendall Klein: Julie, let’s start at the beginning. Can you share your journey into UX design? What inspired you to enter this field, and what experiences have shaped your career?

Julie Topp: I discovered that “being a designer” was a career when I was 14, and it completely changed my perspective. I’d always loved art, so the idea of turning that passion into a profession was irresistible. From that moment on, I was laser-focused on getting into art school.

When accepted, I faced a tough decision: Should I pursue graphic or industrial design? Ultimately, I chose industrial design because I felt a stronger affinity for 3D work and enjoyed the tactile nature of creating. While studying, I found myself drawn to debates about whether UX design was just a rebranding of product design. The skills we were learning—customer research, concept validation, and practical implementation—felt just as applicable to digital products as to physical ones.

So, I started teaching myself some code and explored the intersection of graphic design and user experience. It became this perfect confluence of my interests. By my final semester, I leaped and launched my startup, diving headfirst into the world of UX.

Kendall Klein: How do you balance intuition with user research when developing a design? What is the ideal mix for creating an exceptional product experience?

Julie Topp: The balance depends on the product’s lifecycle stage. In the early days of a company or product, intuition is everything. As a founder or designer, you work with a handful of users, and your vision holds it together. Customer feedback can feel overwhelming in those moments—like being pulled in a thousand different directions. But having a clear sense of where you want to go helps you filter through those distractions.

Research becomes increasingly vital as the product matures and the user base grows. You’re no longer designing for a handful of people; you’re addressing the needs of diverse customer segments. Research allows you to empathize with different user types and tailor solutions to their motivations and behaviors. At that stage, the mix shifts—intuition still matters, but it’s grounded in data and user insights.

Kendall Klein: If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your 21-year-old self? Are there any career paths or decisions you would approach differently now?

Julie Topp: I would tell my 21-year-old self, “Become an artist.” When I was younger, I chose to be a designer—a commercial artist—because I needed to make a living. While I’ve loved my career, I wish I had permitted myself to create art for art’s sake earlier in life.

Now, I’m fortunate to have the flexibility to pursue personal projects and artistic endeavors. Still, I wonder how my perspective might have evolved if I had embraced art sooner.

Kendall Klein: Which product, digital or physical, has excellent design? What makes it stand out to you?

Julie Topp: One digital product I adore is the search directory at the Letterform Archive. Its attention to detail and respect for the original works make it exceptional. For example, when you browse the archive, you see digital copies of artworks displayed at their accurate scale—postcards are shown as postcards and posters as posters.

Most online directories flatten everything into a uniform grid of equal-sized thumbnails, but the Letterform Archive preserves the integrity of the original pieces. It’s a simple but powerful way to remind users of each item's physicality and uniqueness. I haven’t seen anything else like it.

Julie Topp’s journey illustrates how passion, adaptability, and a deep respect for the craft can shape a career in UX design. From her early fascination with art to launching her startup and balancing intuition with research, her story is an inspiring reminder of the impact thoughtful design can have on the world.

Stay tuned for more conversations in Plugged-In: UX Unveiled as we explore the legacy, trends, and future of user experience design.