Interview with Tianyue Wu | Making Technology More Accessible as a Seasoned Product Designer

I’m Tianyue Wu, a product designer with over six years of experience in digital design across a variety of industries. My passion for design stems from a desire to make technology more accessible, inclusive, and user-friendly. I believe in the power of empathetic design to create meaningful solutions that truly improve people’s lives.

My work focuses on blending innovation with a human-centered approach, ensuring that the products I design solve real-world problems in a way that is thoughtful and impactful. 

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.

As a product designer, my role is to create user-centric digital solutions that blend innovation with empathy, ensuring they solve real-world problems effectively. For professionals in marketing, media, and communications, success requires a mix of adaptability to changing trends, creativity to engage audiences, and strong communication skills to work effectively within teams.

Analytical thinking is essential to understanding data and audience behavior, while empathy remains a key trait for delivering meaningful, impactful content and products that truly resonate with users. Balancing these traits allows professionals to thrive in fast-evolving industries.

To me, a successful marketing, media, or communications project is one that truly connects with its audience. It’s about crafting a message that resonates emotionally and intellectually, so the people you’re reaching out to feel understood or inspired. A great project also makes that connection seamlessly, through strong visuals and clear, concise messaging that reflect the brand’s values.

For example, when presenting a healthcare platform focused on immigrant women, success isn’t just about highlighting the product—it’s about showing that we understand the unique challenges they face and offering a solution that truly speaks to their needs.

The real measure of success comes down to impact. Whether it’s engagement, conversions, or simply getting your message out there, it’s important that you can track and learn from the results. A great project is adaptable, allowing you to evolve as feedback comes in. Ultimately, success means your message not only captures attention but also drives meaningful action.

My ideation process starts with curiosity, asking questions, and deeply understanding the problem I’m trying to solve. I gather insights from user needs, behaviors, and current trends, then brainstorm freely to let creativity flow.

Collaboration is key; I often discuss ideas with my team to refine concepts and gain new perspectives. I believe in iteration—starting with rough ideas and continuously improving based on feedback. Reflection is also important, allowing ideas to evolve naturally. This approach ensures that the final concept is both innovative and practical, as we saw with our healthcare platform for immigrant women.

Winning the NYX Awards is an incredible honor for our team. It validates all the hard work and creativity we’ve poured into this project and is a milestone that we’re truly proud of. For us, it’s not just about the recognition, but about the impact we’re striving to make. This award reinforces our mission to create meaningful, innovative solutions, especially for underserved communities, and motivates us to keep pushing the boundaries of design and technology.

It also shines a light on our team’s collaboration and dedication. This distinction isn’t just a win for the project—it’s a win for the shared vision and passion we all bring to the table. It gives us confidence and energy to take on even bigger challenges moving forward, knowing that our efforts can make a real difference.

The main challenge of our winning entry was designing a platform that effectively addresses language barriers and cultural sensitivities for immigrant women while keeping it simple and user-friendly. We had to ensure that the AI-driven translation was accurate yet accessible, especially with complex medical terminology.

Maintaining privacy and security, especially with sensitive medical data, was another challenge that required a delicate balance between strong protections and ease of use. Lastly, designing for inclusivity was key, ensuring the platform felt welcoming for users with diverse cultural backgrounds and varying tech literacy levels.

One of the most exciting trends in marketing and communications right now is the integration of AI and machine learning. It’s transforming how brands personalize content and engage with their audiences in real-time. I’m also excited about the rise of short-form video content through platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels, which are pushing brands to create more authentic and relatable content.

Another trend is the shift toward purpose-driven marketing. Consumers, especially younger generations, are seeking brands that are transparent and socially responsible. Lastly, the growth of immersive experiences like AR and VR is opening up creative ways for brands to connect with audiences on a deeper level. These trends are shaping a more dynamic, personalized, and meaningful marketing landscape.

To improve ideas and concepts, I recommend a few key resources. First, read books like “Steal Like an Artist” by Austin Kleon for creative inspiration and “Creative Confidence” by Tom Kelley for embracing innovation.

For structured learning; online platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Skillshare offer great courses on creativity and design thinking.

Joining creative communities like Behance and Dribbble can help spark inspiration and provide valuable feedback. Podcasts like “Creative Pep Talk” and “The Futur” offer insights on refining ideas. Finally, tools like MindMeister or Miro are perfect for brainstorming and organizing ideas visually.

The person who has inspired me the most is Claude Monet. His dedication to his craft, especially in observing and painting landscapes, has always been a source of motivation for me.

What fascinates me most is his persistence in capturing the changing light and atmosphere in nature. Monet would return to the same scene, painting it at different times of day to truly understand how light transforms the landscape. His commitment to exploring subtle variations, and his willingness to keep refining his work, has deeply influenced my approach to creativity. He showed me that patience, observation, and dedication are key to mastering any craft.

My key to success is staying curious and always learning. I believe that success comes from being open to new ideas and embracing challenges, even when they feel outside your comfort zone. A willingness to ask questions, listen, and learn from both successes and failures has been essential in my journey.

Another important factor is perseverance—sticking with something even when it gets tough. Monet’s dedication to capturing the perfect light or scene reminds me that excellence takes time, patience, and persistence.

As for parting words of wisdom: never stop evolving. Stay adaptable, embrace feedback, and be willing to change course when needed. Growth is a continuous process, and each step, whether forward or backward, brings valuable lessons.