Nice to meet you :)
My name is Nicole Li
UX Design Researcher @ Cisco | MS in UX Design & Research
I am a UX Design Researcher with the mission to create empathetic and empowering human experiences by bringing voices to underserved individuals and uncovering hidden painpoints to drive innovation
I care deeply about ethical, user-centered design. To me, great design resonates with people—it's thoughtful, contextual, and grounded in real needs. I'm endlessly curious about the "why" behind human behavior, and I use that curiosity (plus a solid foundation in data and design thinking) to turn insights into meaningful, actionable solutions.
I am deeply energized by meaningfully engaging with people to understand their lived experiences, uncovering patterns in chaos, turning abstract ideas into tangible concepts and visual prototypes, and workshopping with diverse groups of stakeholders to bring voices together and create clarity from ambiguity.
Design Philosophy
“Design is an act of service” (The Design Way, Nelson & Stolterman, 2003 )
I am a strong advocate for mindful, inclusive, and ethical design practices. A great product spreads kindness, inspires thoughts, and shares joy—and that all begins with empathetic research!
My Design Approach
Design is solving complex problems. My process follows a cyclical pattern of divergence and convergence, co-evolving between problem and solution
Work with me
In my current role at Cisco, I lead UX research for technical training and certification products, partnering with engineers, PMs, and learners to reimagine how professionals engage with complex IT concepts. I’ve designed and led mixed-methods studies—co-design workshops, interviews, surveys, diary studies, and pilot testing—to shape product strategy and deliver engaging learning experiences.
Previously, I earned my MS & BS degree in UX design from Purdue University, and have experience in academic research, workshop facilitation, UX studio classroom teaching, UX/UI design and graphic design.
If you would like to connect and work with me, please feel free to reach out via Linkedin/Email