Interview with Shuting Jiang and Tianyue Wu from the United States

Shuting: Hi! I'm Shuting Jiang, a Senior Product Designer with a deep passion for creating intuitive and impactful digital experiences. Over the past eight years, I've honed my skills in UX/UI design, specializing in crafting solutions that are not only visually appealing but also user-centered and practical.

My work spans various industries, and our projects have received international recognition, the London Design Awards and won a Gold, and now the NY Digital Awards where I won a Silver. My design philosophy is rooted in empathy, innovation, and continuous improvement, always striving to make technology more accessible and effective for all users.

Tianyue: Hello, thanks for having me, I'm Tianyue Wu, a senior product designer with a robust background, recently focusing on FinTech. Throughout my career, I led initiatives to improve user experiences through further simplification and intuitive design solutions.

My design philosophy revolves around a deep user needs understanding with a data-driven approach to drive functionality and aesthetic excellence. I look forward to continuing my work in applying my expertise and passion for user-centered design to make meaningful differences for people.

Shuting: From a young age, I've always been drawn to the world of art and creativity. I spent many years painting, which cultivated my appreciation for aesthetics and attention to detail.

However, as I grew, I realized that I wanted to create something that not only looked beautiful but also had a meaningful impact on people’s lives. This led me to the field of digital design, where I could merge my artistic skills with technology to solve real-world problems and enhance user experiences. Designing digital products allows me to continuously innovate and create solutions that truly make a difference.

Tianyue: I decided to become a product designer because I wanted to enrich people's everyday interactions. My curiosity about people's needs and behaviors—passions that drove me to build a career where I can express myself through creativity and problem-solving—led me to this field.

It’s incredibly rewarding to know that my work helps make complex systems easier to understand and use, brings technology closer to people, and makes it more enjoyable and interactive in daily life.

Shuting: I currently work as a Senior Product Designer, where I specialize in crafting user-centered digital experiences that blend creativity with functionality. My role involves leading design projects from concept to execution, focusing on UX/UI design, user research, and prototyping.

I collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that the products we create are not only visually appealing but also solve real user problems. My work spans various industries, and I’m passionate about creating designs that are both impactful and accessible, ultimately enhancing the user experience.

Recently, I co-founded a design studio called QIMU DESIGN with Tianyue Wu. At QIMU DESIGN, we aim to deliver innovative and impactful solutions that resonate with users and drive meaningful results, ensuring that every project we undertake is both visually compelling and highly functional.

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: "Good" digital creativity is defined by its ability to effectively solve user problems while delivering an engaging and intuitive experience. It’s not just about aesthetics but about how well a design meets the needs of its users and enhances their interaction with the product.

Good digital creativity seamlessly combines form and function, resulting in solutions that are both visually compelling and highly functional. Ultimately, it should make technology more accessible, enjoyable, and impactful for its users.

Tianyue: When I think about what makes digital creativity truly shine, it’s all about creating experiences that feel like a natural part of our everyday life yet manage to surprise and engage us in new ways. It’s important that these designs are intuitive, so they fit seamlessly into our routines, but they should also spark a sense of wonder and delight that keeps us coming back.

Essentially, it’s about making our interactions with digital products feel more human, and more connected. Good digital creativity marries simplicity with magic, transforming the ordinary into something memorable.

Shuting: My thought process starts with understanding the user’s needs and the problem at hand. I begin by conducting thorough research, both qualitative and quantitative, to gather insights. From there, I brainstorm and sketch out ideas, exploring different approaches to solve the problem creatively.

I focus on creating a balance between aesthetics and functionality, ensuring the design is both visually engaging and user-friendly. By iterating on these ideas and seeking feedback, I refine the design to achieve a solution that truly resonates with users.

Tianyue: My thought process is driven by curiosity and a desire to see things from different angles. For this project, I started by deeply understanding the challenges immigrant women face in healthcare.

By connecting these insights with technology and collaborating with others, I was able to create a solution that’s both innovative and practical. Reflection and iteration played a key role, allowing ideas to evolve naturally into something that truly makes a difference.

Shuting: I draw inspiration from a variety of sources, both within and outside of the design world. Art, nature, and everyday experiences often spark new ideas and perspectives for me. I also find inspiration in the challenges and needs of users—understanding their experiences motivates me to create designs that are truly meaningful.

Additionally, I stay engaged with the latest trends and innovations in design and technology, which helps me to continually evolve my creative approach and push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Tianyue: I often get inspired by people and communication with them—by their richness of view, which fires up my imagination. Working with colleagues from different fields in the company, alongside attending local design events, enriches me with various ideas and ways of working.

Following various online resources of design blogs and Internet art galleries keeps me up-to-date with the latest trends and fresh ideas. Those, coupled with everyday interactions, guarantee that my design work remains relevant and forward-looking, hence remaining relevant and fresh.

Shuting: I'm particularly excited about the rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning in design. These technologies are enabling more personalized and adaptive user experiences, making products smarter and more intuitive. I'm also intrigued by the growing focus on accessibility and inclusive design, which ensures that digital experiences are usable by everyone, regardless of their abilities.

Additionally, the increasing integration of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) into everyday applications is opening up new possibilities for immersive and interactive experiences.

Tianyue: I'm super excited about how AI is going to integrate into our lives seamlessly, especially with innovations such as self-driving taxis. These technologies, for me, do not only shift traditional jobs but also create new opportunities. There is the human side of this technological evolution, and as a designer, I see myself making these changes far more accessible and less intimidating.

It is in the design of intuitive systems and educational tools that perhaps might enable people to adapt to these changes and embrace them so that AI enriches our lives without tearing apart the social fabric. This junction of technology and human-centered design is what inspires me the most.

Shuting: To be able to take home the 2024 NY Digital Awards for our project focused on immigrant women is a great honor for both of us. This really holds up for the hard work and passion we have put into working on providing culturally sensitive support that immigrant women have been struggling with while trying to access healthcare.

Tianyue: Definitely! Besides, it's especially meaningful because this is the first project we've launched as QIMU DESIGN, and we hope it sets a positive model for our future endeavors. This recognition also energizes us to keep innovating and reinforces our belief in using technology to create positive change and improve lives.

Shuting: The project we entered for the 2024 NY Digital 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: 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 QUIDU DESIGN, and so it feels befitting to introduce commitment to the creation of meaningful, impactful designs.

Shuting: I would say the greatest challenge we kept meeting was trying to imagine a platform being built that would genuinely serve the manifold needs of immigrant women while, at the same time, keeping its design simple and user-friendly. We must rethink how real-time translation and incorporation of culturally sensitive support can be accessed and applied in practical terms.

It was nothing but a herculean task to design an interface that could be intuitive for women coming from different cultural backgrounds and with different levels of tech proficiency; hence, it needed elaborative brainstorming and research.

Tianyue: Another one I think was a considerable challenge is to be very careful about maintaining the right levels of user privacy, more so in giving personalized and culturally sensitive support to the users. It is quite a balancing act to ensure that our ideas never fly way too far ahead but remain within reality yet are stretched to their very limits.

But more than that challenge, this project presented new possibilities for design and technology. We both believe that winning the award reinforced our belief in the power of thoughtfully created, user-centered innovation to take on the world's problems.

Shuting: Winning an award has significantly impacted my career by boosting my credibility and visibility in the design community. It has opened doors to new opportunities, including collaborations and projects that I may not have encountered otherwise.

The recognition has also reinforced my confidence in my design approach, validating the hard work and creativity I put into each project. Moreover, it has motivated me to continue pushing the boundaries of my practice, always striving for excellence and innovation in my work.

Tianyue: I think this award has been one of the major career-changing events in my life; it increased my credibility and opened new professional doors. More than proving the quality of my work, it created a network of peers and prospective clients that continues to enrich my practice with new opportunities and cooperation. It makes me want to work on more challenging projects and keep developing my skills.

Shuting: What I love most about the digital industry is its constant innovation and evolution, which keeps the work dynamic and challenges me to learn and grow. I also appreciate the blend of creativity and problem-solving it offers, allowing me to combine technical skills with artistic vision to create impactful solutions.

Lastly, the ability to reach and connect with a global audience is incredibly rewarding, as it enables meaningful interactions and experiences across different cultures and communities.

Tianyue: I love the digital industry for its dynamic pace, constant surprises, and the profound impact it can have globally. The rapid evolution keeps me continuously learning and adapting, while the unpredictability ensures that every project brings new challenges that stretch my creativity.

Most importantly, knowing that the work I do can reach and positively affect people around the world brings a deep sense of fulfillment and drives my passion for this field.

Shuting: Over the next 5-10 years, I see the digital industry continuing to integrate emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and augmented reality, making digital experiences more personalized, immersive, and intuitive. There will be a stronger focus on accessibility and inclusivity, ensuring that digital products are usable by everyone.

Additionally, as data privacy becomes increasingly important, I expect to see more advancements in how we protect user information while still delivering innovative and connected digital experiences.

Tianyue: In the next 5 to 10 years, I think AI and machine learning will deeply transform how humans use technology in the digital industry. These technologies are fast becoming very astute at understanding and predicting user needs, which would most likely dramatically enhance the personalization and accessibility of digital interfaces.

This would mean a much more intuitive use of technology and also make it much more reachable to people with different abilities. Such adaptation by AI across interfaces according to the needs and preferences of each user makes technology inclusive for all—for everybody so that it can profit from digital development.

Shuting: To improve skills in the digital industry, I recommend starting with online learning platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or LinkedIn Learning, which offer courses on various topics ranging from UX/UI design to coding and data analysis.

Books like "Don't Make Me Think" by Steve Krug for UX design or "Hooked" by Nir Eyal for product design are also great resources. Additionally, staying updated with industry blogs, joining design communities, and participating in design challenges can provide valuable insights and hands-on experience.

Tianyue: I would recommend networking and attending conferences and workshops. This exposes one to people who share experiences, advice, and theories on new trends and new technologies. Interact with community forums, social media, and discussions, and participate in workshops at conferences.

It contributes not only to professional knowledge but also helps you stay connected and integrated into the larger digital community, which has a fruitful effect on your career growth and individual development.

Shuting: I've been deeply inspired by Frida Kahlo, whose art is a profound exploration of identity, pain, and resilience. Her ability to channel personal experiences into powerful, emotive works of art has always resonated with me.

Kahlo's fearlessness in expressing her unique perspective and her dedication to her craft, despite the challenges she faced, inspire me to bring authenticity and depth to my own designs. Her work reminds me that creativity can be a powerful tool for storytelling and making a lasting impact on others.

Tianyue: Professionally, I am deeply inspired by Claude Monet, particularly his series of landscape paintings which explored the effects of light across different seasons and weather conditions. His dedication to capturing the subtle nuances of light and its impact on the natural world profoundly resonates with me.

Personally it would be my mentor from Goldman Sachs. She consistently reminds me to look beyond the details and consider the broader, holistic user experience in my designs so that I never lose sight of the overall impact and user engagement.

Shuting: My key to success has always been a combination of curiosity, persistence, and a commitment to continuous learning. I believe in staying open to new ideas and constantly challenging myself to grow both personally and professionally. Success comes from not only setting clear goals but also being adaptable and resilient in the face of challenges.

My parting advice is to stay true to your vision, embrace feedback, and never stop learning. Keep pushing the boundaries of your creativity, and you'll find success in your own unique way.

Tianyue: My key would be continuous learning with a deep focusing on empathy in design. The world is running fast; so should you. Keep understanding new situations, and notice new problems to be solved. The second one I'd like to share is to enjoy and find your passion. Passion creates innovation. You can only begin improving your life if you start enjoying it from the bottom of your heart.