Having spent two years working as a Product/UX designer in the finance industry, I can't help but reflect on the roots of my career. My journey began in my childhood, where I enthusiastically built small houses from twigs, leaves, and discarded mineral water bottles, and even experimented with designing clothes using leftover fabric scraps. This lifelong passion for creation has been a guiding force in shaping my career.
As I grew older, my design journey evolved from industrial design to interaction design. I like exploring various fields and industries through a designer's lens, enjoying the opportunity to explore the unknown and find solutions to address real pain points for users.
I work as a UX designer at one of the world's largest finance companies. I collaborate on projects that involve business stakeholders, product managers, development teams, and other designers to address business requirements and address user pain points.
My objective is to conduct user research, identify potential opportunities, create high-fidelity designs, and refine them through user testing.
When I design a solution, I start by conducting user research, interviewing, and observing how users interact with a product to understand their current pain points. Sometimes, I need to take a step back and look at the problem from another perspective and alter the structure to find a solution rather than diving into the details at the very beginning.
Once I have produced multiple solutions, I conduct user testing to discover the optimal one, and then I get hands-on to make it a reality.
During the pandemic, we’ve witnessed a shift of many community activities to online platforms and virtual gatherings. However, creating engaging virtual experiences comparable to offline ones has proven challenging for facilitators. Additionally, the concept of Community as a Service (CaaS) emphasizes the value of information sharing and networking. Yet, there's a noticeable absence of tools to aid facilitators in boosting member retention and engagement.
Introducing hiTRIBE, a browser extension designed to empower online community organizers. It streamlines the event sign-up process, facilitates participation, simplifies follow-ups, and enhances collaboration with moderators, all aimed at fostering increased engagement. I chose to embark on this project because of the positive feedback it has received from users, and I'm eager to share it with a wider audience to gather valuable insights and feedback for further improvement.
This project took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, my intention was to conduct on-site research by observing community events. However, due to the pandemic and its associated restrictions, I was unable to execute this plan as it had become impractical.
To address this challenge, I devised alternative methods, which included conducting interviews with diverse community members and organizers. These interviews allowed me to gather valuable insights and piece together the puzzle from their experiences.
My friends come from diverse backgrounds, and our interactions have consistently provided me with new insights and perspectives. Engaging with them has taught me to approach life with an open mind, fostering a broader and more comprehensive understanding of the world.
Their experiences and viewpoints have encouraged me to learn and grow constantly, making me a more adaptable and empathetic individual in both my personal and professional life.
Shuchen Wang has always had a fondness for creating things since childhood. Growing up, she has always had an appreciation for various art forms, including novels, paintings, poetry, and films. She has a fiery passion for exploring the human experience and the world around her.
Read more about this interview with Hanyu Mu from the United States, the Platinum Winner of the 2023 MUSE Creative Awards.