About me

🌟 I'm a designer, illustrator, community builder, content creator, and world traveler (~40 countries)! 🌿 I founded Design Buddies, a community with a total audience of 150K+ (& 2 mil+ on socials) to help designers land jobs and improve their skills. I'm also building FluffleAI, providing personalized job readiness for designers. 🤠 I create content about design, art, career, running, and lifestyle (60K+ combined followers). I collaborate with brands to create tech, lifestyle, and travel content. 🌎 I'm a world traveler, been to almost 40 countries, and host tech/design events around the world. Mainly based in San Francisco but I've been spending half the year traveling. 🤠 In the past, I designed & developed virtual reality games to make learning fun. I had an art business and tabled at anime conventions. 🎓 I studied Computer Science & Engineering and Bioengineering at Santa Clara University. In my past life, I wanted to develop games and biohack myself to run faster. I was a Division 1 Cross Country & Track athlete in college and won national titles in high school. 🙌 I've also done 100+ speaking engagements with audiences ranging from elementary schools to senior level professionals on topics relating to design, community building, career growth, networking, and personal branding. 👀 I've been featured on the New York Times Square, Wall Street Journal, KTSF News, KQED News, Discord, Santa Clara University, and the San Jose Mercury News. 🏃🏻‍♀️ Instagram (Lifestyle & travel): https://www.instagram.com/irungracepace/ 🎨 Instagram (Design & Art): https://www.instagram.com/candyleaf_/ 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/graceleaf_ 🖋 Medium: https://medium.com/@graceling 🎵 TikTok (art & life): https://www.tiktok.com/@candyleaf 🎥 YouTube (design & travel): https://www.youtube.com/@GraceLing/ 🌟 Portfolio: https://www.grace-ling.com/ 🐰Join Design Buddies Community: https://discord.gg/designbuddies