On the Flip Side: UX Designer Alison Y. Ups the Challenge of Puzzling

Alison lives in California and works in user experience (UX) research and product design, a profession that requires the ability to examine details from different perspectives. That is a skill she has also applied to solving jigsaw puzzles. At a young age, she became intrigued by competitions and began completing puzzles from an uncommon point of view that puzzled her family.

Now, after returning to her childhood interest three years ago, Alison is a speed puzzler whose work in breaking down complicated systems in the tech industry naturally circles back to puzzling.

In addition to serving as a year-round volunteer for USAJPA, where she focuses on making the website more user-friendly and engaging, Alison is a board member for the California Jigsaw Puzzle Association (CAJPA).

Q&A Time:

How long have you been puzzling?

I’ve been drawn to jigsaw puzzles for as long as I can remember and have done them casually for most of my life. I first became curious about puzzle competitions as a child but only revisited that interest in 2023, when I discovered speed puzzling and began participating in online competitions. By the end of 2024, I had attended my first in-person competition, and in 2025, I competed at USA Jigsaw Nationals.

What is your best advice for someone who wants to improve their speed puzzling abilities?

Start by building strong sorting habits and learning how to create momentum with smaller piece counts. Practicing on 100- to 300-piece puzzles helps build consistency before moving up in size. It also helps to break down parts of the process, like timing sorting or flipping pieces, so you get more efficient with each step. At home, it can be useful to experiment with your setup so you know what works well for you, and over time you also start to recognize which puzzles are better suited for speed practice.

What do you enjoy most about puzzling?

I enjoy getting completely absorbed in it. There are very few activities where I lose track of time the way I do with puzzles. I’ll sit down thinking I’ll do one puzzle and suddenly realize hours have passed. It’s focused and calming in a way that lets everything else drop away.

Do you have a cherished or unforgettable puzzle-related memory?

When I was a kid, I got bored with doing the same puzzles, so I started flipping them over and doing the cardboard side to make it harder. My family thought it was weird, but it worked.

Do you have a favorite brand, type, style, or subject of puzzle?

Ravensburger is a go-to, and I also really enjoy Magic Puzzles for the reveal at the end. At home, LEGO and Disney puzzles are especially fun to do with my kids.

What is the puzzle community like in your area?

I’m still fairly new to it, but everyone I’ve met at in-person competitions has been very welcoming. Joining the CAJPA board has also been a great way to connect with the California puzzle community and see how active it really is. I’ve also been welcomed onto the USAJPA year-round volunteer team, which has been a great way to feel more connected to the broader puzzling world and meet people across the community.

Are you participating in any upcoming speed puzzling competitions?

I’m hoping to compete in the California Speed Puzzling Championship again later this year. I would also love to attend Nationals in 2027, since I wasn’t able to make it in 2026. 

Connect: 

You can find Alison on Instagram: @owlison123 

Follow CAJPA: @californiajigsaw