Interview
Shuchen Wang
1 Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your design background.
I'm Shuchen Wang, currently a full-time UX/Product designer. I began my design journey with a background in industrial design, where I learned the user-centered design concept. Over the years, I've found joy in conducting user research, observing user behavior, and crafting solutions that truly resonate with people. This passion drove me to the world of user experience design.
2 What made you become/why did you choose to become a designer/artist?
My passion for design began with childhood painting. I loved observing objects, ranging from everyday items like bottles and tables to clothing and even architectural structures, and admired how designers solved problems and new ways of living. This led me to choose design as my career.
3 Tell us more about your business/company, job profile, and what you do.
I work for a business company, where my role involves addressing daily challenges faced by our company's internal users. My goal is to make their lives easier by finding a balance between business requirements, user needs, and technical constraints.
4 What does “design” mean to you?
Design is a combination of creative thinking, problem-solving, empathy, beauty, and building connections between users, products, technology, and environments.
5 What’s your favorite kind of design and why?
The designs I love either solve real problems, making people's lives easier by creating convenience, like Google Search, which has complex algorithms and intricate data at the backend but is very simple to use on the surface, thus enhancing an individual's search process and helping people access information easily; or the design that resonates, which connect people from different backgrounds.
6 To you, what makes a “good” design?
Good design is problem-solving, intuitive, and seamless.
7 Describe your design style and its main characteristics.
I'm not sure what design style I've established yet. I'm still exploring. In my design projects, I've aimed to create something creative but also something that people really need rather than creating for the sake of creativity.
8 Tell us about your design process.
My design is based on a set of design research processes. I first identify the target users, understand their habits, pain points, and then look at competing products to find potential solutions or examine what might have gone wrong with unsuccessful products during their design phase. Once I have a framework, I begin designing and continuously improving the product through user testing.
9 Do you think your country and its cultural heritage has an impact on your design process?
In Chinese ink painting, there's a concept called blank-leaving. This has had a significant impact on my design thinking. I enjoy creating designs that are simple and streamless and don't require excessive explanations; when users look at them, they immediately understand how to use them.
10 Congratulations! As the winner of the 2023 MUSE Design Awards, what does it mean to you and your company and team to receive this award distinction?
I'm honored and proud to receive the 2023 MUSE Design Award, which underscores my dedication to creativity and excellence in design.
11 Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2023 MUSE Design Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
Since the pandemic, we have seen many community activities transferred to online hangouts and virtual meet-ups. But it
12 What was the biggest challenge with this project?
During the project, which took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, I initially planned to conduct offline research by observing community events. However, due to pandemic-related challenges, it became difficult to execute this plan. Therefore, I explored alternative methods, such as interviewing various community members and organizers, to piece together the puzzle and gain insights from their experiences.
13 How has winning an Award developed your practice/career?
It makes me feel proud of my work and encourages me to explore more design opportunities in the future.
14 What are your top three (3) favorite things about our industry?
Solving real problems, emphasizing others, and breaking the boundaries.
15 What makes your country specifically, unique in the design industry?
Technology is advancing rapidly in China, requiring more and more people to adapt to it, and many designers are actively involved in bridging the gap between technology and users.
16 Where do you see the evolution of design industry going over the next 5-10 years?
AI is developing very fast nowadays, capable of handling many tasks, which pushes designers to continuously think, question, be more innovative.
17 If you were a student entering this industry or an aspiring MUSE Design Awards submitter, what advice would you give them?
Keep your creativity and love what you do!
18 What resources would you recommend to someone who wants to improve their skills in the design industry?
Observation and empathy are the best ways to get familiar with users.
19 Tell us something you have never told anyone else.
I used to dream of becoming a fashion designer.
20 Who has inspired you in your life and why?
My friends. I have some very creative friends with whom I continuously engage in discussions about interesting concepts, which keeps my creative part constantly stimulated. And friends outside of the creative industry, with whom I interact, encourage me to reflect on various aspects.
21 What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
Being excited about facing challenges (that
22 Do you have anything else you would like to add to the interview?
Thanks for awarding me!
