Interview
Dian Huang
1 Congratulations on winning the MUSE Design Awards! Can you introduce yourself and share about what inspired you to pursue design as a career?
Hi, I’m Dian, a creative designer with 14 years of experience. During a college graphic design class, I discovered the thrill of turning abstract ideas into visual language. Seeing my work influence users’ emotions and help brands grow gave me a strong sense of accomplishment, which became the driving force behind my design journey.
2 What does being recognized in the MUSE Design Awards mean to you?
It validates my design career and shows that the industry values innovation.
3 How has this achievement impacted your career, team, or agency, and what opportunities has it brought so far?
I’ve been invited to serve as a judge on industry panels, which has helped raise my professional visibility.
4 What role does experimentation play in your creative process? Can you share an example?
Experimentation is the engine that pushes me beyond habitual thinking. For a recent poster, I combined the traditional Chinese lacquer painting technique (漂漆) with 3D mechanical elements. The lacquer experiment kept the piece rooted in heritage while adding a modern, tech-inspired feel, and the result received high praise from the judges.
5 What's the most unusual source of inspiration you've ever drawn from for a project?
While visiting the Suzhou Museum and its gardens, I was fascinated by the variety of elegant window shapes. I extracted those window frame outlines and incorporated them into packaging design, giving the product a soft, architectural charm.
6 What’s one thing you wish more people understood about the design process?
The starting point of design.
7 How do you navigate the balance between meeting client expectations and staying true to your ideas?
Every project involves trade-offs; I often make peace with myself about the visual expression.
8 What were the challenges you faced while working on your award-winning design, and how did you overcome them?
The timeline was extremely tight—design, prototyping, and launch all had to be completed within two weeks. I quickly aligned with the client on the style and core concept at the start, maintained regular progress updates, and avoided endless revisions that could jeopardize delivery.
9 How do you recharge your creativity when you hit a creative block?
I go for a walk, take a short trip, or exercise to clear my mind. Returning to work afterward often brings fresh perspectives.
10 What personal values or experiences do you infuse into your designs?
I always put the user’s needs first and stay continuously curious about new tools and emerging trends.
11 What is an advice that you would you give to aspiring designers aiming for success?
Watch a lot and experiment boldly. User-centered thinking is crucial, but fresh aesthetics and a creative spark are equally important.
12 If you could collaborate with any designer, past or present, who would it be and why?
I’d love to work with Takashi Murakami. He fuses traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary pop culture and anime, creating a distinctive “super-flat” style. Collaborating with him would push my visual language beyond convention and allow me to learn from his powerful use of color and cultural storytelling.
13 What's one question you wish people would ask you about your work, and what's your answer?
“What was the core decision behind this piece?” The core decision was to build the visual language around the user’s emotional touchpoints. Whether it’s color, layout, or overall style, I first identify the emotional need within the usage scenario, then align every design element to that need, ensuring the work is both beautiful and emotionally resonant.
