Jennie: Hi, my name is Junru (Jennie) Xu. I'm currently a senior product designer at DirecTV. I was a founding designer at Cayaba Care and the founder+ CEO of TA Designer Studio and founder with eight years of experience in product design, user experience, and HCI. I have a Bachelor in Architecture degree from IIT and an MArch degree from Columbia University.

Iris: Hi, my name is Xiaobi (Iris) Pan. I am an interdisciplinary designer with 15+ years of experience, ranging from UX design to Product Design, Interactive Installation Design, and Emerging Technology Design. I received my Bachelor’s in Industrial Design from Zhejiang University and my Master’s in Design Studies degree with a focus on new technology from Harvard Graduate School of Design.

I have worked at the world's largest IT companies (Amazon, Mastercard, IBM, etc.) as Sr. and Lead Designer on various industry-leading projects, and I'm known for my digital + physical creative design work, including my interactive installation and pioneering XR interactive experience design.

We both chose to study design/architecture and enter the field of creative design because we love both creative self-expression and problem-solving. And design becomes the perfect subject that allows us to do both. After exploring various design disciplines, we discovered that there are no real boundaries between domains and design areas, and creating innovative products, experiences, and even "beings" that can help connect and delight people is our true mission.

We co-founded our design studio, How Might We (HMW), in 2024, where we use technology and interdisciplinary design to investigate social issues and create positive social change through our design. We are interested in addressing social challenges such as climate change, poverty, women's health, disability, children's developmental health, etc.

It can be seen from our work at https://hmwdesign.studio/work that we are interested in the social challenge area and strive to use design to create solutions that can be both technically feasible, commercially viable, and aesthetically desirable.

In addition to creating design solutions and conceptual designs, we also provide design workshops and mentorship services for both design professionals and industry clients to help them build their "design muscle."

We believe creativity can be a form of expression of the higher self, as Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way states. As Julia puts it, creativity is the underlying purpose of life's higher energies. And there is an in-dwelling creative force infusing all life, including ourselves.

We are ourselves, creations. And we, in turn, are meant to continue creativity by being creative ourselves. Interestingly, most of our designs or creative works are created mostly by chance. And our personal creative experiences also attest to the above theory.

For us, a creative idea or design is something that seems a bit surprising at first glance, but as one looks deeper, it should make perfect sense. It is something that's both intuitive and counterintuitive, simple and complex, personal and universal. It is not created by some arbitrary combination of two completely unrelated elements. Instead, everything needs to be carefully thought through, yet it seems effortless in its deliverability.

We typically co-create with our clients, partners, and in-house design teams to rapidly prototype, test, and learn. We create quick, rough prototypes to test our ideas early on. This collaborative and agile approach helps us refine our designs efficiently and ensure they meet the needs of all stakeholders.

Specifically, we leverage the Design Thinking process, Empathize, Define, Prototype, Test, and Iterate to evolve our ideas and bring them to life. Sometimes we also adjust the process here and there based on actual project needs and constraints.

We like the empathy and ideation part the most. Because many times, observing actual users and user scenarios will reveal things that completely contradict our initial hypothesis. It is very humbling to observe people and identify their actual pain points and touch-points that may seem very trivial at first but turn out to be crucial.

Good design always starts with the user and addresses their real problems, not the problems we have in our heads. As creative professionals, we strive to embrace the humbling process of observing and listening to our users, letting our ego get in the way, and letting users speak for themselves.

Our design works have several underlying themes and characteristics:

1. Connecting people through technology: Inspire, delight, and inject a sense of hope or humor into people through "affective computing" and human-centered interactions.
2. Connect the digital to the physical: Create hybrid experiences that bridge the two worlds into a digital reality or a tangible interface.
3. Ambition to approach and address complex social issues on a large scale: Our design aims to make the world a better place by tackling the challenges of climate change, poverty, health care, social conflicts, etc. through creative design. From an aesthetic point of view, our creative design usually takes on a timeless, simplistic, clean, delightful, and sleek look.

Of course. We both come from China, and the interdisciplinary nature of Chinese traditional arts has profoundly inspired us and our creative mindset. As you may know, in Chinese traditional art history, poetry, calligraphy, and painting are inseparable art forms.

They are intertwined, informing and shaping each other in tangible ways. Growing up in such artistic traditions, we see interdisciplinary creative and artistic practices as very natural and even intrinsic to its existence. So it is very natural for us to let go of the "concept" of design disciplines or domains and create unconventional creative solutions out of the box.

It is a great encouragement for our team and our design studio to become a winner of the 2024 MUSE Creative Awards. Our studio, HMW Design Studio, is dedicated to shaping a future where creativity acts as a catalyst for positive social change.

We look at social issues such as environmental protection, health care, charitable giving, parental care, animal health, etc., and seek creative ways to address these challenges through collaborative design and design thinking. Our winning project, HEAR ME, is an attempt to help deaf and non-vocal people through the power of AI and mindful interaction design.

Winning in the 2024 MUSE Creative Awards is both encouraging and reassuring for us. It signals that the industry values our work and we should continue to do what we set out to do.

Yes. Our winning work, HEAR ME, is an app that uses AI technology and mindful design to provide holistic support to the deaf and non-vocal community, enabling them to better connect with the world and live a better life.

We believe that connecting with the world should be effortless for everyone, in the true sense of the word. And HEAR ME is an attempt at that vision. It perfectly aligns with our studio, HMW Design Studio's social impact-driven design goal.

It combines the latest technology with creative design and cute 3D avatars to help deaf and non-vocal people bridge the communication gap between themselves and the world.

Crafting HEAR ME presented a significant challenge: seamlessly weaving AI-driven functionalities into a platform that looks forward to accessibility and inclusivity. This effort required rigorous research to understand the unique preferences and requirements of the deaf and non-vocal community, alongside the development of pioneering solutions to address these needs.

The journey was fraught with obstacles both internally – such as the historical stigma attached to disability – and externally, including the rapid evolution of technology and the complexities of legal standards. Nevertheless, through a commitment to a user-first design ethos and a multidisciplinary strategy, these barriers have been overcome.

Securing a win in the MUSE Creative Awards can significantly enhance our professional journey, giving us esteemed recognition for our creativity and skill set from both peers and industry luminaries. Such accolades increase our visibility and strengthen our credibility within the design community.

This endorsement can pave the way for more ambitious projects, foster collaborations, and secure positions within renowned organizations, serving as a powerful testament to our design expertise and dedication to excellence. Moreover, this recognition acts as a distinct highlight in our portfolio, setting us apart in a fiercely competitive job market.

The boundless visual allure, the stimulation of creative thoughts, and the mastery of talent stand out as the top three impressive attributes. In this industry, there is a fantastic opportunity to absorb innovative ideas, network with fellow talented individuals, and stay abreast of the latest design trends.

China's UX design industry is uniquely characterized by its rapid adaptation to cutting-edge technologies and trends, driven by the country's massive and technologically savvy population.

The industry is highly influenced by the dominance of super apps, such as WeChat, which integrate multiple services within a single platform, necessitating innovative UX approaches to manage complexity and ensure user satisfaction.

In addition, cultural factors and user behaviors specific to the Chinese market require tailored UX design strategies, emphasizing localized content, social commerce features, and mobile-first experiences to meet the distinct preferences of Chinese users.

Utilizing the burgeoning advances in AI technology could catalyze a significant leap forward. As a powerful design aid, various AI tools, including ChatGPT, Gemini, and Midjourney, offer a plethora of creative ideas and imagery. These tools can streamline design processes, providing rapid generation of branding concepts, marketing strategies, and illustrative examples, enhancing efficiency and creativity in design work.

The UX industry has flourished remarkably over the past decade, transforming into a sphere of increased competitiveness and challenge for new entrants. However, the essence of navigating this evolving field lies in perseverance.

Going on a journey that often involves years of skill refinement and a deep understanding of core principles is a foundational step. Initial obstacles are only stepping stones, not deterrents – achieving your aspirations is entirely achievable through steady progress and adaptation in this ever-changing field.

In the creative industry, it is important to immerse yourself in the world of innovative ideas and get inspiration. Diving into design projects offers the most effective way to sharpen these skills. Engaging with the intricacies of technology through resources such as YouTube tutorials, or tapping into the wisdom of experienced colleagues, can profoundly enrich one's capabilities.

Moreover, partnering with talented peers emerges as an exemplary tactic, offering a dual benefit: it enhances both interpersonal skills and technical expertise.

This project is inspired by the personal story of Junru's friend, Tarry, who navigates life with hearing and speech disabilities. With close experience of the difficulty of hearing loss, we want to use the power of design to provide more support and care by crafting digital experiences to help people.

And we work 100% remotely for the HEAR ME project. :)

Iris finds her spark in the lyrical realms of poetry, the rhythmic flows of music, and the vibrant expressions of modern art, while I, Junru, am captivated by the structural marvels of architecture and the immersive worlds of graphics and photography.

This eclectic mix draws inspiration from Rilke's poetic genius, artist Cathy Wilkes' evocative creations, Kate Bush's haunting melodies, Louis Kahn's architectural mastery, and Man Chen's innovative photography, among others.

Success depends on unwavering commitment, an enduring quest for knowledge, and the flexibility to navigate change, seeing obstacles as stepping stones to progress. The ability to remain resilient against the odds, coupled with a relentless pursuit of your aspirations, can light the way ahead.

As you embark on your journey, carry with you these guiding principles: "Maintain your curiosity, value the power of teamwork, and prioritize compassion. It is within these qualities that the heart of true achievement resides."

We are looking for guidance from experienced entrepreneurs to assist in the launch and expansion of HEAR ME, as well as to enhance our visibility and establish meaningful industry connections to scale our venture.

Our team, which includes Asian female members with educational backgrounds from Harvard and Columbia, offers unique insights, a wealth of design and creative acumen, and a fervent dedication to addressing the communication challenges facing the deaf and non-vocal community.

We believe that our distinctive perspectives, combined with our professional expertise, position us to make a significant impact.