An Interview with Jinyun Li: The Innovator Behind Vega Award-Winning Titled Meal Muse

I am a multidisciplinary designer and visual artist with a rich and diverse creative background. My expertise spans painting, sculpture, filmmaking, UX/UI design, animation, furniture design, and art installation. I hold a bachelor's degree in accounting and a master's degree in fine arts, blending analytical thinking with creative expression.

My approach integrates artistry and functionality to craft experiences that engage and inspire. My projects, such as Meal Muse, which won the Award at the Vega Digital Awards, and other award-winning works, reflect my ability to innovate across mediums. Whether designing for digital spaces or creating physical objects, I am passionate about pushing boundaries and delivering impactful designs.

My journey into digital design and art was driven by my passion for creativity and problem-solving. I’ve always been fascinated by the interplay between aesthetics and functionality—how design can shape experiences and evoke emotions.

My background in traditional art, like painting and sculpture, gave me a strong foundation in visual storytelling, which I naturally transitioned into the digital realm. The ability to create interactive and impactful solutions in UX/UI design and beyond excites me, as it allows me to blend artistic expression with practical innovation. I chose this path to explore limitless possibilities in connecting people with ideas through design.

I am a multidisciplinary designer and visual artist, currently working as a product designer while also exploring various creative projects. My work spans a wide range of mediums, including digital product design, painting, sculpture, filmmaking, and industrial design.

In my UX role, I specialize in crafting user-centered digital experiences, collaborating with developers and stakeholders to ensure seamless design implementation. I have worked on diverse projects, from game UI to art installation. My goal is to merge functionality with creativity, delivering meaningful designs across industries.

To me, a "good" design is one that achieves a perfect balance between functionality, aesthetics, and emotional impact. It begins with a deep understanding of the user’s needs and solves real problems in a way that feels natural and effortless. A good design should be intuitive, where every interaction feels meaningful and intentional, allowing users to achieve their goals without frustration or confusion.

Beyond functionality, good design must also be visually compelling, drawing people in and creating an emotional connection. It should tell a story or evoke a feeling that resonates with its audience. At the same time, it must be inclusive and accessible, ensuring that people of all abilities and backgrounds can engage with and benefit from it.

For me, a truly exceptional design is one that surprises and delights, going beyond the expected to inspire and leave a lasting impression. Whether it’s in digital interfaces, physical products, or artistic expressions, good design should always enrich the lives of those who experience it.

My design style is multidisciplinary, blending functionality with artistic expression. It is characterized by clean, intuitive layouts, a strong sense of visual storytelling, and a thoughtful approach to detail. I strive to create designs that are user-centric, emotionally engaging, and visually striking.

I often draw inspiration from my background in painting, sculpture, and filmmaking, incorporating elements of texture, composition, and movement into my digital work. My designs aim to balance aesthetics and purpose, ensuring that they are not only beautiful but also meaningful and effective. Accessibility and inclusivity are key considerations, as I believe design should connect with diverse audiences and create a positive impact.

My design process begins with thorough research and discovery to deeply understand the problem, target audience, and project goals. This involves conducting user research, analyzing competitors, and gathering key insights to establish a solid foundation for the project. From there, I move into ideation and concept development, where I brainstorm and sketch ideas, exploring various creative approaches to address the challenge effectively.

Once I have a clear direction, I transition into prototyping and design, starting with wireframes and prototypes to outline the structure and interactions. I refine these into high-fidelity designs through iterations, incorporating feedback to ensure usability and user satisfaction. Collaboration plays a critical role throughout the process, as I work closely with stakeholders, developers, and users to align the design with the objectives and technical feasibility.

When the design is finalized, I support the implementation phase by providing detailed documentation and guidance to developers to ensure accuracy. After launch, I evaluate the design’s performance and look for opportunities to optimize and improve it. My approach emphasizes user-centered design, accessibility, and maintaining a strong visual identity, resulting in solutions that are both functional and impactful.

I draw inspiration from a wide range of sources, both within and beyond the design world. Nature, architecture, and urban landscapes often spark ideas, as they showcase harmony, structure, and creativity in unexpected ways. My background in painting, sculpture, and filmmaking also plays a significant role, allowing me to explore color, composition, and storytelling in my designs.

Cultural elements, such as art, fashion, and music, provide fresh perspectives and fuel my imagination. I also find inspiration in everyday interactions, observing how people navigate their environments and interact with objects and technology. These insights help me design experiences that are intuitive and relatable.

Additionally, I’m inspired by technological advancements and innovative thinkers who push boundaries, as they encourage me to experiment with new tools and methods. Ultimately, I aim to weave these diverse influences into my work, creating designs that are both meaningful and unique.

I'm particularly excited about the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in digital design. AI-powered tools are transforming the creative process, enabling designers to generate innovative visuals and streamline workflows. Another trend that intrigues me is the resurgence of 3D elements and immersive experiences in web design. Advancements in technology now support more design-intensive sites, allowing for richer graphics and more engaging user experiences.

Thank you! Winning the 2024 Vega Digital Award is an incredible honor and a testament to the hard work, creativity, and dedication that went into Meal Muse. This recognition validates the effort put into creating a user-centered design that blends innovation with functionality, and it motivates me to continue pushing boundaries in my work.

The winning work, Meal Muse, is a UX project designed to help users discover meal inspirations and plan their dining experiences more intuitively. The project focuses on creating a seamless and engaging interface that combines personalization, accessibility, and visual appeal. The design integrates features like tailored recommendations, interactive meal planners, and vibrant imagery to enhance the user's journey.

I chose to enter Meal Muse into the Vega Awards because it represents the essence of my design philosophy: merging creativity with functionality to deliver meaningful user experiences. I felt that its innovative approach, user-centric design, and potential for positive impact made it a strong contender for recognition. Winning the award validates these efforts and the vision behind Meal Muse.

The biggest challenge with Meal Muse was striking the perfect balance between functionality and visual engagement. Meal planning can often feel overwhelming or routine, so the goal was to create a platform that not only simplified the process but also made it inspiring and enjoyable. Achieving this required careful consideration of user needs, ensuring the interface was intuitive and easy to navigate while maintaining a visually appealing and engaging design.

Winning the Vega Digital Award has been a significant milestone in my career. It has not only validated my approach to design but also brought greater visibility to my work. This recognition strengthens my credibility as a multidisciplinary designer and visual artist, opening doors to new opportunities and collaborations with other creatives and organizations.

1) Innovation and Constant Evolution: The digital industry is always advancing, with new tools, technologies, and trends emerging regularly. This dynamic environment keeps things exciting and encourages continuous learning and growth.

2) Creative Freedom and Experimentation: The digital realm offers limitless possibilities for creativity, allowing designers to experiment with different mediums, from 3D modeling and animation to immersive interactive experiences.

3) Global Reach and Impact: Digital platforms enable us to connect with audiences across the world, making it possible to share ideas, solve problems, and create experiences that have a meaningful impact on people's lives regardless of location.

Over the next 5-10 years, I see the digital industry advancing significantly with the integration of AI and machine learning, making experiences more personalized and adaptive. Immersive technologies like AR and VR will likely become more mainstream, creating new ways for people to interact with digital content. There will also be a growing focus on accessibility and inclusivity, ensuring digital designs cater to diverse audiences.

One of my biggest inspirations has been my parents, who taught me the value of hard work, resilience, and creativity. Their ability to approach challenges with resourcefulness and optimism has deeply influenced my mindset and work ethic.

My key to success lies in staying curious, adaptable, and committed to continuous growth. Embracing challenges as opportunities to learn and remaining open to experimentation has allowed me to push creative boundaries and evolve as a multidisciplinary designer and visual artist.

Collaboration and empathy are also essential—understanding different perspectives and working with others enriches the creative process and leads to more impactful outcomes. Balancing functionality with artistic expression is another guiding principle, as I strive to create work that is both meaningful and visually compelling.

My advice is to stay true to your passion and never stop exploring. The journey of creativity is not linear, and every experience—whether a success or a setback—contributes to your growth. Keep learning, stay inspired, and always be open to new possibilities.