Bruce/Zhanyi Liao is a product designer and CEO of Aqive. He combines his background in electronic engineering and passion for holistic health to design technologically advanced products that promote mental and emotional well-being. As a CEO, Liao's focus is on creating user-friendly products that offer practical benefits and promote inner peace.
I'm Bruce Liao, and I hail from the vibrant island. My journey began in electronic engineering, where I spent years immersed in the intricacies of technology and innovation. However, life has its twists and turns, and mine took a significant turn when I stumbled upon mindfulness and meditation practices.
This discovery was a personal awakening and a professional turning point, leading me to join Aqive, a pioneering company at the intersection of technology and wellness. At Aqive, we are committed to harnessing the power of technology to enhance mental and physical well-being, a mission that resonates deeply with my own transformative experience.
My background in electronic engineering and passion for holistic health drives me to innovate and design products that bridge the gap between science and spirituality, aiming to make a meaningful impact on people's lives.
I became a product designer because of my curiosity and the realization of the impact that well-designed products can have on individuals' lives. As an electronic engineer, I wanted to address human needs on a deeper level.
My fascination with technology's potential to improve mental and emotional well-being led me to join Aqive, a company at the forefront of integrating technology with wellness. I have a passion for designing products that are technologically advanced and deeply resonant on a personal level, promoting health, happiness, and mindfulness.
Aqive, the world's first brand specializing in torsion field technology, is inspired by Dr. Lee Si-Chen 's research. Our mission is to provide tools that seamlessly integrate into everyday life, providing peace of mind and a reminder to stay focused.
We aim to support individuals in achieving internal stability, providing a sense of security and mindfulness in a world full of anxiety. As CEO, I focus on combining scientific insight with user-friendly design, creating products that offer practical benefits and promote a journey to inner peace.
Design, to me, is a form of communication beyond words, a path to resonance and emotional connection.
"A 'good' design, to me, establishes an emotional connection. It's about creating something that resonates deeply with people, touching their hearts and leaving a lasting impression.
My design style is centered on relaxation, tranquility, and portability, as exemplified by our award-winning Qi Ease product. We prioritize ease of transport and tactile comfort, embodying these qualities through rounded shapes, streamlined forms, and a sense of energetic flow.
The overall design reflects harmony with the natural movement of energy, guided by Nikola Tesla's famous adage on the meaning of the numbers 3, 6, and 9, which are intricately woven into our design elements. This approach creates products that are functional, deeply resonant, and aesthetically pleasing, offering a seamless blend of science, art, and spirituality.
The design process begins with a deep understanding of user needs and lifestyles, which involves extensive market research and user interviews. From these insights, I form preliminary design concepts, which are then refined through brainstorming and feedback sessions with the team.
Moving into the prototyping phase, we create functional models to test and refine the design. This phase may iterate several times until the product meets our functional and aesthetic standards. Finally, we finalize the materials and manufacturing processes, preparing for mass production.
I believe my country's cultural heritage has a significant impact on my design process. My country is a society that embraces multicultural influences, and this diversity fuels my creative thinking and innovation in design.
For example, traditional Taiwanese values emphasize harmony and balance, which I strive to reflect in my product designs, creating aesthetically pleasing yet practical designs that harmonize with users' daily lives.
Winning the 2024 NY Product Design Awards is a tremendous honor and validation for me personally, as well as for the Aqive team. This award not only proves that our efforts in product design and innovation are successful, but it also strengthens our image as pioneers in the industry.
For the team, it represents recognition of their hard work and creative commitment, further motivating us to continue advancing the integration of technology and wellness.
The work we submitted to the NY Product Design Awards 2024 was Qi Ease, a portable device designed to promote relaxation and stress reduction. We chose to enter this project because it fully embodies Aqive's core philosophy – using torsion field technology to enhance individuals' psychological and emotional well-being.
The design of Qi Ease integrates aesthetics, functionality, and innovative technology, which not only meets the criteria of the award but also highlights our commitment to improving quality of life.
The biggest challenge with this project was integrating torsion field technology into a compact, portable device while maintaining the efficacy of the device and the comfort of the user. We had to ensure the effectiveness of the technology and also achieve an aesthetic and practical design, which required close collaboration and continuous innovative thinking between the technical and design teams.
Winning this award has significantly advanced my career and practice. It not only increased our brand's visibility and market recognition but also opened up opportunities for collaboration with other industry leaders and innovators. This honor validates our innovative capabilities and design prowess, enabling us to attract more clients and investors, further driving our business growth and technological innovation.
Bruce/Zhanyi Liao is a product designer and CEO of Aqive. He combines his background in electronic engineering and passion for holistic health to design technologically advanced products that promote mental and emotional well-being. As a CEO, Liao's focus is on creating user-friendly products that offer practical benefits and promote inner peace.
Read more about this interview with Jonathan Jagroop from the United States, the Silver Winner of the 2024 NY Product Design Awards.