Shuting: I’m Shuting Jiang, a senior product designer with over eight years of experience in creating user-centric digital solutions. My background is rooted in a decade-long passion for painting, which has shaped my appreciation for aesthetics and visual storytelling. I hold a Master’s Degree in Integrated Digital Media from New York University, where I transitioned into user experience design.

My work blends creativity with problem-solving to craft designs that are not only visually engaging but also accessible and impactful, aiming to make technology more inclusive and meaningful for all users.

Tianyue: I’m Tianyue Wu, a product designer with over six years of experience working across various industries. My passion lies in creating digital solutions that blend empathy, inclusivity, and innovation. I've always been driven by a desire to use design as a tool for empowerment, ensuring technology works for everyone, regardless of their background or abilities.

My goal is to continue crafting meaningful, user-centered experiences that make a real-world impact.

Tianyue: I chose to become a product designer because I've always been drawn to the idea of making people's everyday interactions more enjoyable and efficient. My fascination with understanding human needs and behaviors naturally led me to this career, where I can use my creativity and problem-solving skills to enhance how people engage with technology.

It’s deeply fulfilling to know that my work helps simplify complex systems and makes technology accessible and pleasant to use, improving daily life for many.

Tianyue: Currently, I’m working for a startup FinTech broker, where my role involves designing and developing wealth management tools. These tools are crafted for a diverse range of users, from beginners to advanced investors in the stock market. My job is to create solutions that simplify complex financial information and processes, making it easier for users to manage their investments effectively.

This involves a combination of user interface design, user experience enhancements, and the integration of innovative financial technologies to ensure that our tools are not only functional but also intuitive and user-friendly. And most recently, I, along with Shuting Jiang, started our own design studio, QIMU DESIGN. It not only serves as a platform for innovative design solutions but also as a hub for fostering creativity and pushing the boundaries of conventional design practices.

Shuting: My design process begins with a deep understanding of the user's needs, achieved through comprehensive research and empathy-driven exploration. I start by gathering insights from users and stakeholders to define the problem clearly. Then, I brainstorm ideas, sketch, and create low-fidelity prototypes to explore various solutions. I refine these concepts through iterations, testing, and feedback to ensure they align with user needs and project goals.

Throughout, I focus on balancing aesthetics with functionality, ensuring that the final design is both engaging and highly usable, effectively solving real-world problems.

Shuting: My favorite part of the creative process is the initial brainstorming and ideation phase. It's a moment when possibilities are endless, and I can freely explore different ideas and concepts. I love the energy and excitement of imagining new solutions and the opportunity to think outside the box.

This phase allows me to experiment with diverse approaches, challenge assumptions, and push creative boundaries. It’s where the seeds of innovation are planted, setting the stage for developing meaningful and impactful designs.

Tianyue: Winning Gold at the 2024 MUSE Creative Awards means the world to us. As a two-person team, this recognition feels even more special because it reflects the hard work, collaboration, and shared passion we’ve put into this project. It’s humbling to receive such a prestigious award, especially when it's just the two of us pushing the boundaries of creativity together.

For us, this award isn't just about winning—it’s about validation that our dedication and approach are resonating with others. It reinforces the belief that small teams can still create a big impact. We're both excited and motivated to keep going, knowing that our work is being recognized on a global stage. It’s truly a moment we’re proud of, but it’s also inspiring us to continue pushing forward with new ideas, fresh creativity, and even more collaboration.

Shuting: We decided to start this project since it is fulfilling a desperate need within a community that, in most cases, is considered as being low-resourced. Very often, immigrant women suffer from situations of equal access to healthcare, and we were hoping to break these barriers that had an effect on them.

This also represented our first major initiative as QIMU DESIGN, and so it feels befitting to introduce commitment to the creation of meaningful, impactful designs.

Tianyue: The project we entered for the 2024 MUSE Creative Awards shed light on ways of improving access to healthcare by immigrant women—people whose very large stakes are raised by their language and cultural circumstances. It offers real-time translation and culturally sensitive support as a way for users to comprehend medical information and to be guided to better healthcare systems.

Tianyue: The biggest challenge was ensuring that our ideas were both innovative and feasible. Since the project focuses on addressing the unique healthcare needs of immigrant women, we needed to think through how to integrate features like real-time translation and culturally sensitive support in a way that could be practical and user-friendly.

Designing a solution that could cater to women from diverse cultural backgrounds with varying levels of tech proficiency required deep thought and research to validate its potential effectiveness. The challenge was not just about coming up with ideas but making sure they could work in real-world scenarios.

Shuting: Winning an award has been an incredible boost for both my career and practice. It’s given me the recognition that’s opened new doors, allowing me to take on more exciting projects and collaborate with amazing people. It’s also given me more confidence in my work and helped me push my creative boundaries even further.

Tianyue: Over the next 5-10 years, I see the creative industry becoming more integrated with technology, especially AI and machine learning, which will help designers create faster while keeping the human touch intact. Sustainability will also be a key focus, with eco-friendly materials and processes becoming a priority.

Inclusivity will grow, with diverse voices shaping creative work from all corners of the world. Lastly, immersive experiences like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) will play a bigger role, transforming how we interact with art and design. It's an exciting time for the creative world!

Shuting: For anyone looking to improve their skills in the creative industry, I recommend exploring a mix of online courses, books, and hands-on practice. Platforms like Coursera, Skillshare, and LinkedIn Learning offer courses on design, creativity, and UX/UI principles. Books like "Creative Confidence" by Tom and David Kelley and "The Design of Everyday Things" by Don Norman provide great insights.

Joining design communities, attending workshops, and participating in design challenges can also be invaluable for learning, getting feedback, and staying inspired. Lastly, stay curious and open to learning from everything around you—art, nature, and everyday experiences.

Tianyue: I've been most inspired by Claude Monet, especially for his dedication to observing and capturing the beauty of landscapes. Monet’s commitment to studying light and nature, often painting the same scene at different times of day to understand the changing colors and moods, really resonates with me.

His patience and passion for finding beauty in the simple, everyday moments of nature are something I admire deeply. He teaches that creativity isn’t just about skill but about truly seeing and appreciating the world around you. That sense of observation and dedication has shaped the way I approach my own creative work.

Shuting: My key to success lies in staying curious, embracing continuous learning, and being open to new ideas. I believe in pushing creative boundaries and never settling for the ordinary. Persistence and resilience are essential—creativity often comes from overcoming challenges and finding innovative solutions.

My advice is to stay true to your passion, be fearless in your pursuit of new ideas, and always remember that great design comes from empathy and understanding of the user’s needs. Keep exploring, keep experimenting, and never stop learning.