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Interview with Mingjia Yu, Yuanyuan Song and Xiyan Wang |
Home > Designer Interviews > Mingjia Yu, Yuanyuan Song and Xiyan Wang |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Mingjia Yu, Yuanyuan Song and Xiyan Wang (MYYSAXW) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Mingjia Yu, Yuanyuan Song and Xiyan Wang by clicking here.
FS: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
MYYSAXW: I am Mingjia. I have a background in software engineering and UX design, which has provided me with a strong foundation in both the artistic and technical aspects of design. I pursued my education at the University of Washington, where I specialized in Human Centered Design & Engineering. This blend of disciplines has allowed me to create user-centric designs that are both visually appealing and highly functional. I am Xiyan(Christine) Wang, I have a background in UX design and creative technology (AR/VR, wearables). I was graduated in New York University. I enjoy learning and interviewing stakeholders (from different countries, industries and walks of life) and untangling complex systems, weaving creativity and data-driven insights to create beautiful, empowering experiences. I am Yuanyuan (Nicole) Song, a UX designer with a background in interior design. My passion lies in helping users navigate and resolve complex problems while simplifying their learning experience with new tools. I leverage my design expertise to create intuitive and user-friendly interfaces.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
MYYSAXW: Yuanyuan, Mingjia, and Xiyan are a team of three dedicated designers, all born and raised in Shanghai, and bound by a shared passion for AI technology. United by our common background and aspirations, we have joined forces to pursue the objective of delivering impactful projects to users. Our team's expertise lies in crafting innovative solutions that harness the power of artificial intelligence to address real-world challenges and enhance user experiences. Through our collaborative efforts, we strive to contribute positively to society by leveraging cutting-edge technologies to create meaningful and valuable outcomes. Our commitment to pushing the boundaries of creativity and problem-solving makes us a compelling and dynamic force in the field of AI innovation.
FS: What is "design" for you?
MYYSAXW: Design is the art of problem-solving with creativity and functionality. It’s about understanding user needs and creating solutions that are not only visually appealing but also highly practical and effective. Design is the process of turning ideas into tangible products that improve lives.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
MYYSAXW: We enjoy designing digital tools that empower users to manage their lives more effectively. Whether it’s an app that organizes information or a platform that enhances productivity, I find great satisfaction in creating designs that have a meaningful impact on people’s daily routines.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
MYYSAXW: I am Mingjia. My favorite design is a feature I developed during my internship at Google for the Fitbit Mobile App. This feature helps users better understand their workout achievements by providing detailed analytics and visual summaries of their progress. This project was particularly rewarding because it combined my passion for design and technology with tons of my creative ideas to enhance user engagement and encourage a healthier lifestyle. The positive feedback from users reaffirmed the impact of thoughtful design on improving user experience and satisfaction.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
MYYSAXW: I am Mingjia. The first significant design I created for a company, which was also one of my most proud ones, was a design solution for IKEA restaurants in my own country. It was a comprehensive project that included mobile, web, and design systems. It was succeeded in developing and launching, and continuously improves millions of IKEA customers’ experience as well as the nationwide sales in IKEA stores. This project taught me the importance of user-centric design and the impact it can have on a business’s success.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
MYYSAXW: Our team’s favorite technology, of course, is AI, particularly its application in information processing and management. AI has the potential to revolutionize how we interact with data, making it an exciting area to explore and incorporate into our designs.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
MYYSAXW: Our team feel the most creative when we are faced with a challenging problem that requires an innovative solution. Brainstorming sessions with my team, where we can freely exchange ideas and perspectives, often spark my creativity the most.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
MYYSAXW: We focus on usability and functionality. It’s crucial that a design meets the needs of its users and provides an intuitive and seamless experience. Visual aesthetics are important, but they must serve to enhance the overall functionality.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
MYYSAXW: Designing evokes a mix of excitement and curiosity. There’s a thrill in exploring new ideas and the satisfaction of seeing those ideas come to life in a way that positively impacts users. Passions and senses of achievement are my important motivations in design as well.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
MYYSAXW: When the designs are realized, we feel a deep sense of accomplishment and pride. Knowing that our work is helping others and making a difference in their lives is incredibly rewarding.
FS: What makes a design successful?
MYYSAXW: A design is successful when it effectively solves the problem it was intended to address and provides a seamless and enjoyable user experience. Positive user feedback and high adoption rates are also key indicators of success.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
MYYSAXW: We first consider the design’s usability and user experience. If a design doesn’t meet the users’ needs or bring a great experience while using it, it falls short regardless of how visually appealing it might be.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
MYYSAXW: Designers have a responsibility to create solutions that are not only user-friendly but also socially and environmentally conscious. This means considering the long-term impact of our designs on the environment and society, promoting sustainability, and ensuring accessibility for all users.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
MYYSAXW: It would be evolving towards a more integrated approach, focusing on mix platform experiences and seamless eco-systems. The future of design will heavily incorporate AI to personalize user interactions, while data privacy will become a core consideration. Designers will need to balance innovation with ethical responsibilities, ensuring sustainable and user-centric solutions.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
MYYSAXW: I am Yuanyuan. My last exhibition was my thesis project in school. I am excited to share this project today as it is a passion project developed outside the school environment. I am also thrilled to present this topic, which is heavily incorporated with AI and explores how users interact with AI. This aligns with the future trend of UX design, focusing on AI integration to enhance user experiences.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
MYYSAXW: Our design inspiration comes from everyday use cases and what people have been talking about. To feed our creativity,weI believe it's essential to keep learning, maintain curiosity, and stay sensitive to what's happening around us. As UX designers, it's our responsibility to understand these dynamics and leverage our skills to help the community and the world.
FS: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
MYYSAXW: Our design style is highly collaborative and always open to feedback from professionals and users. This approach allows us to learn a lot and draw inspiration from the feedback received, continuously improving my work. The main characteristics of our style include adaptability, user-centricity, and iterative development, ensuring that the designs evolve based on real-world interactions and insights.
FS: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
MYYSAXW: We were all born and raised in Shanghai, China, and we came to the US for college. Our hometown, known for being an open-minded place and a hub for new technology, has greatly influenced our values. This shared experience of being open-minded, not afraid of challenges, and highly collaborative is a treasure we deeply value. These qualities shape our design approach, allowing us to embrace innovation while staying adaptable and resilient.
FS: How do you work with companies?
MYYSAXW: While we haven't directly worked with companies, our collaborative approach remains the same. We work closely with each other, fostering strong bonds and friendships throughout the project. Despite not knowing each other before, we've become a tightly knit team, supporting one another and working smoothly across different time zones. Respect for each other's time and contributions is paramount, especially when working online remotely. Our mutual respect ensures effective communication and collaboration, leading to successful project outcomes.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
MYYSAXW: My suggestion to companies for working with a designer is to prioritize character over experience. While experience is valuable, it's equally important to identify designers who possess valuable characteristics that align with your company's values and vision. Even if a designer lacks some aspect of the experience, if their work reflects the qualities and traits you value, it's worth giving them an opportunity. Look for designers who demonstrate creativity, adaptability, strong communication skills, and a passion for problem-solving. Collaborating with designers who embody these characteristics can lead to more innovative and successful outcomes for the projects.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
MYYSAXW: Our design process involves research, ideation, prototyping, user testing, iteration, implementation, and evaluation. We prioritize user feedback and collaboration, ensuring our designs meet project goals and user needs.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
MYYSAXW: At home, I cherish my comfy chair and standing desk, which support my health and productivity during work hours. I also love my durable canvas bag, perfect for daily use. Additionally, my cat's furniture serves as both a scratching board and a stylish decor piece. Lastly, my wooden round dining table is a favorite, as it's where I gather with friends for memorable meals and conversations.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
MYYSAXW: A typical day in my life starts early with a cup of coffee as I review design news and trends. I then check emails and project updates. Mornings are dedicated to brainstorming and initial design work. After a quick lunch, I refine designs, collaborate with team members, and attend client meetings. Short breaks with jazz or hip-hop music keep me inspired. Evenings are for reviewing feedback and making final adjustments. I wrap up by planning for the next day and reflecting on my progress.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
MYYSAXW: My advice to young designers is to understand your passion and consider the trajectory of the industry early in your career. While many fields currently demand UX designers, the future may favor specialists. Therefore, it's essential to continuously learn, stay confident, and be prepared to pivot as the industry evolves. UX design is still a relatively new field, much like technology itself, so adaptability and a willingness to embrace change will serve you well throughout your career.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
MYYSAXW: From my perspective, the positives of being a designer include the constant challenge and variety in tasks, which keep things interesting and prevent boredom. Additionally, the design field pushes you to continually learn and grow, ensuring that you never settle into a stagnant routine. On the flip side, this constant evolution and challenge can also be a negative aspect. It means you can never fully relax and stay within your comfort zone, as the environment demands ongoing adaptation and innovation. However, this pressure to learn and evolve ultimately drives personal and professional development, making it a mixed blessing.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
MYYSAXW: Our "golden rule" in design is to always prioritize the user's needs and experiences above all else. Additionally, we adhere to the principle of never overestimating the quality of a design; instead, we advocate for continuous testing and iteration with real users to ensure that the design truly meets their needs and expectations.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
MYYSAXW: The most important skills for a UX designer are the ability to adapt, a mindset focused on continuously testing and improving designs, and strong communication abilities. My work often expands into new areas, platforms, industries, and even countries. This requires me to quickly adapt, continuously learn, and expand my skill set by learning new software and tools as needed. My design process typically includes thorough research into the target industry to understand current practices from industry experts. This allows me to gain insights to create innovative designs. UX design also requires strong collaboration skills when working with stakeholders and team members. Clear and timely communication is essential to effectively explain the reasoning behind designs and get buy-in from stakeholders. Initial designs are rarely the final, perfect solution. Successful UX designers must be open to testing designs, iterating on them, and continually improving them based on feedback. An eagerness to embrace this cyclical process of refinement and optimization to enhance the user experience is crucial.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
MYYSAXW: As designers in this fast-changing internet era, I learn and adopt new tools on a daily basis. The software I mainly use to design is Figma, Figma Community, and Figjam; I use Notion, Jira, and Google Calendar for product management; Miro, Behance, and Pinterest as mood boards. For books I recommend “Hooked- How to Build Habit Forming Product”. I also recommend following product/UX design podcasts and influencers.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
MYYSAXW: Time management is crucial, and I use several strategies: Prioritizing tasks based on importance and urgency, time blocking my calendar for focused work, using the Pomodoro technique for short bursts of concentration, batching similar tasks together, minimizing distractions, delegating or collaborating when possible, building in buffer time, and continuously reviewing and improving my approach. Finding the right time management tactics tailored to my work style and project needs allows me to complete design work efficiently while maintaining a good work-life balance. And again, no matter how busy the schedule is, effective communication and timely updates with the team is a must.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
MYYSAXW: The duration of the design process can vary considerably based on the complexity of the product and the resources available. For the MVP of Insightnest, our design cycle spanned approximately two months. This timeframe encompassed initial research to understand user needs, ideation and concept development, detailed design work including prototyping and iterations based on feedback, and final documentation before handing off to our development team.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
MYYSAXW: One of the most frequently asked questions I get as a product designer is "What is User Experience/Product Design?" and "Why Product Design?" Product design is the process of creating user-centric products that solve real problems and provide excellent user experiences. It combines research, ideation, prototyping, and iteration to develop functional, usable, and desirable solutions. The importance of product design lies in its ability to ensure products truly meet user needs. By putting users at the center, designers create intuitive and accessible experiences that enhance people's lives. Effective product design also drives business success through differentiation, user satisfaction, and increased adoption.
FS: What was your most important job experience?
MYYSAXW: I’m Xiyan. My most important job experience was designing a healthcare platform to streamline treatment planning for multiple sclerosis(MS) patients. MS is a chronic autoimmune condition with no cure, requiring coordination among doctors, nurses, therapists, and patients. Through extensive interviews across stakeholder groups, I gained deep insights into their unique needs - physical, mental, and logistical. We also incorporated wearable sensors for remote patient monitoring. This immersive research allowed me to create an intuitive, user-centric design that facilitated better care coordination and improved quality of life for MS patients. Seeing the positive real-world impact of this user-focused approach was incredibly rewarding.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
MYYSAXW: I’m Xiyan. My clients include NYU Langone Hospital, Many Startups, the New York West Village Business Improvement District, NYU Ability Labs, and more.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
MYYSAXW: I enjoy all types of design work! Especially projects that involve unraveling intricate systems and multifaceted problems. What truly excites me is the opportunity to conduct in-depth research, generate insights, and craft designs that seamlessly balance intuitive usability, real-world utility, accessibility for diverse users, aesthetic appeal, and alignment with business objectives. I thrive on these multidimensional challenges that require a harmonious blend of user-centricity, creative problem-solving, and commercial awareness to deliver impactful solutions that resonate with end-users while driving value for businesses.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
MYYSAXW: I will continue learning, finding, and solving problems.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
MYYSAXW: I have both done projects in cross-functional teams and as a solo freelance designer. I will also create design exploration for fun if some ideas pop into my mind.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
MYYSAXW: I’m Xiyan. I’m currently designing a human-centered AI research analysis platform. We aim to empower professionals who conduct research to save time from manual work and focus on generating impactful insights and recommendations themselves. It was exciting to see how we grew from 0 to 1, from a frustrating problem we faced as UX researchers ourselves to an MVP solution - and there is more to come. We invite all UX, product, and research professionals (as long as you conduct interviews!) to try our beta version. See if it can save you tremendous time from manual analysis and finding quotes.
FS: How can people contact you?
MYYSAXW: People can contact us at Yuanyuan Song: [nicolesong55@gmail.com](mailto:nicolesong55@gmail.com) | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuanyuannicolesong/ Mingjia Yu: [isyumj@gmail.com](mailto:isyumj@gmail.com) | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mingjia-yu/ Xiyan Wang: [xw1641@nyu.edu](mailto:xw1641@nyu.edu) | IG: @xiyan_christine1107 | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xiyan-christine-wang-72357916b/
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
MYYSAXW: We are always looking for opportunities to design, so if you are interest, feel free to contact us!
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A’ Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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