Yingu: I'm Yingu Pan, currently working as an urban designer with the Boston Planning and Development Agency. My journey in urban design combines a solid academic foundation with hands-on experience. I earned my Master of City Planning from MIT in 2023 after completing my Bachelor of Architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology in 2016.

I've had the opportunity to work on projects with top architectural firms such as Sasaki and SOM, across cities like Boston, Chicago, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. My design approach is enriched by a range of hobbies, including photography, railroad modeling, and collecting antiques and maps. Through my work at Unibike, I apply my urban design skills to create products that reflect a deep awareness of urban dynamics and sustainability.

Zhongqi: I’m Zhongqi, a Product Designer based in Boston, with a Master’s degree from Columbia University and over five years of experience in UX/UI design. Currently, I am the Lead Product Designer at Electric Hydrogen, a sustainable energy unicorn, where I focus on creating next-generation digital experiences for B2B IoT SaaS products.

My work aims to revolutionize the energy sector towards zero emissions. In addition to my role in sustainable energy, I am deeply invested in national interests such as healthcare, education, and transportation. I also co-founded TA Design Studio, mentoring over 50 design students, and collaborated with Yingu Pan to establish Unibike Co, dedicated to designing an innovative electric shared bike system.

Yingu: My work aims to revolutionize the energy sector towards zero emissions. In addition to my role in sustainable energy, I am deeply invested in national interests such as healthcare, education, and transportation. I also co-founded TA Design Studio, mentoring over 50 design students, and collaborated with Yingu Pan to establish Unibike Co, dedicated to designing an innovative electric shared bike system.

Through my work in urban design, I gained insight into various design philosophies and the complex ways in which every aspect of a city interacts with people's lives. This exposure led me to see that the principles behind creating functional, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing urban spaces could also be applied to product design on a smaller scale.

My hobbies have sharpened my attention to detail, deepened my appreciation for historical context, and enhanced my understanding of user experience—all essential skills in product design.

Zhongqi: As someone captivated by the power of visual aesthetics, I find immense satisfaction in creating beautiful designs. Being a UX designer places me at the intersection of design, technology, and psychology, allowing me to contribute meaningfully to the field.

This blend of disciplines not only enhances my ability to address human needs but also empowers me to solve problems and improve quality of life. My dedication to my craft and curiosity drive me to use my design skills to create transformative experiences that seamlessly integrate impactful design into everyday life. Beyond my work in UX design, I am also passionate about entrepreneurship and career coaching.

I am currently in the process of establishing my own entrepreneurship venture, focusing on providing career coaching to aspiring designers and professionals. Through this initiative, I aim to share my insights and experiences, helping others navigate their career paths and achieve their professional goals.

This journey underscores my commitment to fostering growth and innovation in the design community while making a meaningful impact on individuals’ careers and lives.

Unibike Co., co-founded by us is a visionary startup committed to transforming urban mobility through cutting-edge design and technology. Focusing on e-bikes, Unibike Co. offers a sustainable and user-friendly solution to the complexities of city commuting.

Central to its mission is the Unibike, a meticulously designed product featuring a lightweight, rechargeable battery system and a smart, dockless parking solution. With a deep understanding of urban environments and a strong commitment to sustainability, Unibike Co. is set to redefine the standards of the bike-sharing industry.

Yingu: As Founder and Chief Industrial Designer at Unibike Co., I lead the entire design process for the bicycles, from creating the business model to detailed visualization and modeling. My role involves not only ensuring the aesthetic and functional quality of the bikes but also embedding sustainable urban mobility solutions into the company's strategy.

Zhongqi: As the Founder and Lead Product Designer at Unibike Co., I focus on enhancing the shared e-bike experience through the innovative Unibike App. My work plays a crucial role in boosting user engagement and significantly driving marketing efforts and customer growth.

For us, design is an intricate blend of art and science, dedicated to solving everyday challenges and improving quality of life with the help of advanced technology. It’s more than just about how things look; it’s about deeply understanding user needs, behaviors, and emotions to create solutions that have a real impact.

We take a holistic approach that spans the entire journey from initial concept to final product, involving thorough research, iterative design, and collaboration across various fields.

At the core of our design philosophy is empathy. By truly understanding our users, we strive to create intuitive, accessible, and inclusive products that resonate with a wide audience. This ensures that our designs are not just beautiful but also functional, sustainable, and capable of addressing real-world issues with creativity and innovation.

Design, for us, is also about pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo. It’s a chance to rethink possibilities, bring ideas to life, and drive meaningful change in society and the environment. With projects like Unibike, we leverage design to revolutionize urban mobility, focusing on sustainability and user experience to develop a cutting-edge electric shared bike system.

Ultimately, design is how we express our ideas, explore innovative solutions, and make a meaningful impact. It's about a commitment to excellence and creating a more user-friendly world, using design to tackle daily challenges and improve life with the latest technologies.

I gravitate towards designs that are simple, fun, and adaptable. These traits appeal to me because they embody what makes design truly impactful—making even the most complex systems accessible and enjoyable for everyone, while allowing for growth and change over time.

Simplicity means creating intuitive designs that focus on the essentials, removing any unnecessary elements. Adding a sense of fun transforms routine interactions into enjoyable experiences, capturing users' interest and making the design more engaging. Adaptability ensures that a design can evolve and stay relevant as trends shift, technologies advance, and user needs change.

This combination of qualities results in a design that’s not only visually appealing but also highly functional and built to stand the test of time, which is why it’s my preferred style.

For me, a "good" design strikes a perfect balance between functionality, aesthetics, and user experience. It should address a real problem in a straightforward and intuitive way, making the solution feel natural and almost inevitable once discovered. Good design is inclusive, ensuring that it is accessible to as many people as possible, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds. This inclusivity demonstrates a deep understanding of and empathy for the user.

Additionally, a good design is sustainable, both in its environmental impact and its longevity. It should reduce harm to the planet while also being durable and flexible enough to adapt as users' needs change over time.

From an aesthetic standpoint, a good design communicates effectively, using visual elements to enhance understanding and engagement without causing confusion or overwhelm. It should also elicit a positive emotional response—whether that’s a sense of satisfaction, joy, or trust—helping to build a strong connection between the user and the product.

Ultimately, a good design is easy and enjoyable to use, meets the user's needs in a sustainable and ethical way, and positively impacts both their lives and the environment. It results from a thoughtful process that carefully considers every aspect of the user's experience, aiming not just to meet but to exceed expectations.

Our design style is built on the pillars of minimalism, functionality, and a deep commitment to the user experience, as seen in projects like Unibike. At its heart, our approach is about stripping away the unnecessary to focus on what truly matters—creating designs that are both beautiful and effortlessly navigable. We believe that every design element should have a clear purpose, eliminating clutter that could hinder the user's journey.

Minimalism plays a central role in our work, favoring clean lines, ample space, and a refined color palette to convey a sense of simplicity and order. This not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also makes the design more approachable, directing the user's attention to key features without overwhelming them.

Functionality is a cornerstone of our style, ensuring that our designs are not just visually pleasing but also highly practical. We strive to create interfaces that users can interact with naturally, making technology feel intuitive and accessible. Our goal is to integrate our designs seamlessly into the user’s life, making everyday tasks easier and more enjoyable without adding unnecessary complexity.

At the core of our design philosophy is a strong focus on the user. We place their needs, behaviors, and preferences at the forefront of our process, using empathy as a guide. Through in-depth user research and testing, we aim to craft experiences that are not only personalized but also deeply resonate with those who use them.

Together, these elements shape a design style that is streamlined, user-friendly, and responsive to the needs of those we design for. It’s a style that harmonizes aesthetics with practicality, delivering solutions that are as effective as they are engaging, and that can evolve with the changing needs of users.

Our design process began with thorough research and discovery to understand the problem and user needs, used techniques like user interviews and market analysis to gather key insights. From there, we defined project goals and ideated potential solutions, explored innovative ideas through sketching and storyboarding that align with user needs and business objectives.

Once ideas are formed, we move onto concept development, created wireframes and low-fidelity prototypes to establish the design’s structure and flow. We refine these concepts based on stakeholder feedback and testing. Next, we developed high-fidelity mockups, focusing on visual appeal, usability, and user experience, while continuously iterating based on user feedback and testing.

We then conducted user testing to validate the design’s functionality and ensure it is intuitive and effective. Once the design is validated, we collaborated with developers to implement the design, making necessary adjustments to meet our vision.

After launching, we closely monitored the performance and gathered user feedback to refine and enhance the product continually. This iterative approach ensures our designs are user-centered, visually appealing, functional, and capable of adapting to changing needs.

Having grown up in China, we've seen firsthand how younger generations frequently rely on public shared bikes for their daily commutes. However, the existing bike-sharing options often fail to meet this high demand, struggling with issues such as mismatched supply, costly maintenance, and poor user experience.

These problems aren't confined to China; they're common in many major cities around the globe, including Boston and New York City, where there's a clear need for better bike-sharing systems.

These observations of the inefficiencies in current bike-sharing models have had a profound impact on our design philosophy. We've developed a strong awareness of the practical challenges users face, which has fueled our commitment to creating solutions that are more user-focused and effective.

In designing Unibike, we aim to address these problems directly by developing a system that better balances supply and demand, lowers maintenance costs, and offers a more seamless user experience. Our background and experiences have shaped a design approach that values practicality, sustainability, and enhancing the quality of urban mobility.

Winning the 2024 MUSE Design Award is an incredible honor for us. This recognition means a great deal to our company and team as it validates the hard work, creativity, and dedication we've poured into our designs.

It highlights our commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation and delivering solutions that truly make a difference. For our team, this award is a powerful affirmation of our efforts to create meaningful, user-centered designs that not only look great but also solve real-world problems.

It inspires us to continue striving for excellence and to keep pushing ourselves to innovate and elevate the standards of design in our industry.

The project we entered into the 2024 MUSE Design Awards was our innovative work on Unibike, an electric shared bike system designed to revolutionize urban mobility. We chose this project because it embodies our core values of sustainability, user-centricity, and innovation.

Unibike addresses several pressing challenges in current bike-sharing systems, such as supply-demand mismatches, high maintenance costs, and poor user experiences. Our design incorporates a lightweight, rechargeable battery system and a smart, dockless parking solution that significantly enhances user convenience and operational efficiency. By focusing on creating a seamless and enjoyable user experience, we aimed to encourage more people to choose biking as a sustainable mode of transportation in urban areas.

We entered Unibike into the MUSE Design Awards because we believe it showcases our commitment to designing practical and sustainable solutions that have a real impact on people's lives. The project reflects our passion for improving urban mobility through innovative design, and we wanted to share this vision on a global platform like MUSE. Winning the award is a testament to our team's hard work and our dedication to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in design.

The biggest challenge with the Unibike project was not just balancing user-centric design, technological innovation, and sustainability, but also distinguishing our system in Boston's competitive urban mobility market, where residents are already accustomed to established bike-sharing services like Blue Bike and Citi Bike. To gain visibility and preference among these options, we needed to go beyond traditional design and functionality.

A key breakthrough came when we saw the potential to integrate the bike-sharing experience more deeply into users' daily routines, beyond just cycling. This led us to introduce the innovative concept of a user-owned detachable battery—a smart, portable power bank that users could carry with them.

This battery wasn't just for charging the bike; it also powered essential devices like phones and laptops, making Unibike not just a transportation tool but a versatile companion that catered to a common need: staying powered on the go.

This unique feature differentiated Unibike in the Boston market, offering a practical value that existing services didn't provide. The detachable battery concept highlighted convenience and utility, positioning Unibike as an essential part of users' daily lives, extending beyond mobility to meet broader lifestyle needs.

To stand out in a crowded market, we realized we had to think beyond the bike itself and focus on what truly impacts users' everyday experiences. This approach, combined with our commitment to sustainability and user-focused design, helped us overcome the challenges of market saturation and brand familiarity.

It underscored the importance of innovative thinking and the role of design in creating unique, life-enhancing solutions in a competitive urban setting.

Winning the 2024 MUSE Design Awards has had a profound impact on both our practice and the future of Unibike Co., propelling us into a new phase of growth and visibility. This prestigious recognition not only validated our commitment to innovative urban mobility solutions but also strengthened our position within the design and technology industries.

The award has opened doors to numerous collaboration and investment opportunities, which are essential for expanding our reach and increasing our impact in cities. It has captured the attention of potential partners and investors who are drawn to our proven, award-winning approach to improving urban commutes. This recognition has fueled our expansion efforts and bolstered our ability to keep pushing the boundaries of innovation.

For our user community, the award has been a mark of excellence, reinforcing their confidence in Unibike as a leading choice for sustainable urban transportation. It has played a critical role in setting us apart in a competitive market, boosting user engagement and loyalty by assuring them of the quality and reliability of our service.

On a broader level, this award has been a powerful motivator for our team, driving us to push the limits of design and sustainability even further. It has also expanded our professional network, connecting us with industry leaders and mentors whose expertise has been invaluable in refining our design approach and methodologies.

Overall, the MUSE Design Awards have been instrumental in both our professional growth and team development, emphasizing the importance of innovation, user focus, and environmental responsibility in our work. It has inspired us to continue striving for excellence, embrace new challenges, and contribute meaningfully to the future of urban mobility solutions.

At the core of our passion for design is the boundless potential for creative problem-solving. Design inherently pushes us to find innovative solutions, often challenging conventional thinking. Each challenge becomes a puzzle, inviting us to combine creativity, intuition, and innovation to develop meaningful answers.

It's not just about aesthetics—it’s about crafting solutions that improve functionality and enhance the user experience. The process of turning abstract ideas into tangible realities, and knowing they have a positive impact on users, is incredibly fulfilling.

Our dedication to user-centered design is also key to our approach. We prioritize the user's needs, emotions, and interactions throughout the design process to ensure that what we create is not only practical but also deeply empathetic. Understanding how users connect with products and services shapes our design decisions, allowing us to create experiences that elevate their lives.

This approach brings purpose and relevance to our work, bridging the gap between people and the designed world in an intuitive, accessible, and impactful way. It drives us to embrace multiple perspectives, cultivating a design philosophy that is both innovative and compassionate.

Moreover, the ever-evolving nature of design keeps us energized. With the continuous emergence of new technologies, methods, and trends, the design field is always changing, encouraging us to learn, adapt, and grow. This dynamic environment pushes us to explore new tools, refine our strategies, and stay informed about the latest innovations.

It challenges us to remain creative and flexible, ensuring our designs remain at the cutting edge. Every day presents a new opportunity to explore, learn, and evolve.

China's distinctiveness in the design industry arises from a combination of its rich cultural heritage, rapid economic growth, advanced manufacturing capabilities, cutting-edge technological innovations, global influence, strong government support, and dynamic cross-disciplinary collaborations. This multifaceted approach positions China uniquely on the global design landscape.

China’s deep cultural heritage provides a strong foundation for its design, blending traditional elements with modern aesthetics. This fusion creates designs that are not only innovative but also deeply rooted in history, offering the world a glimpse into China’s centuries-old traditions with a contemporary twist.

Alongside its cultural richness, China’s rapid economic expansion and state-of-the-art manufacturing infrastructure empower designers to bring their ideas to life quickly and efficiently. This allows for the rapid introduction of innovative products to the global market, giving China a competitive edge.

China’s expertise in technology, particularly in the digital and mobile sectors, further shapes its design landscape. This technological leadership drives a forward-thinking design culture, enabling designers to push creative boundaries and explore new possibilities.

Additionally, China’s growing global influence and strong government backing for the design sector bolster its presence on the international stage. As Chinese design continues to gain recognition worldwide, it not only showcases the country’s aesthetic vision but also fosters global dialogue and cross-cultural exchange.

Cross-disciplinary collaborations within China are also reshaping the design industry. By merging insights from fields like technology, art, and social sciences, Chinese designers are developing holistic solutions that address the complexities of modern life.

Together, these elements create a unique identity for China in the design world, blending tradition with modernity and local insights with global trends. This distinctive perspective enriches the global design narrative and highlights China’s pivotal role in shaping the future of design.

Over the next 5-10 years, the design industry will be heavily influenced by advancements in AI, which will drive innovation across various sectors such as healthcare, transportation, sustainable energy, and education. In healthcare, AI will enable more personalized care, predictive diagnostics, and advanced medical technologies, improving patient outcomes and efficiency in treatment processes.

In transportation, AI will play a key role in developing smarter, more efficient mobility solutions, including autonomous vehicles and optimized public transport systems, enhancing urban mobility and reducing environmental impact.

In the realm of sustainable energy, AI will help optimize energy consumption and distribution, enabling smarter grids and more efficient renewable energy solutions, contributing to a more sustainable future. Meanwhile, in education, AI will revolutionize personalized learning experiences, adapting content and teaching methods to individual needs and learning styles, while making education more accessible globally.

These advancements will not only transform the way these sectors operate but will also create new opportunities for designers to collaborate across disciplines and innovate with AI-driven solutions, making adaptability, creativity, and a focus on user needs even more essential.

My advice would be to focus on developing a strong foundation in user-centric design, stay curious, and embrace adaptability. Design is not just about aesthetics; it’s about solving real-world problems and enhancing user experiences. Prioritize understanding your audience and create solutions that are both functional and impactful.

Additionally, keep up with emerging technologies such as AI, augmented reality, and sustainable design practices, as these will play a significant role in the future of the industry. Collaborate across disciplines, be open to feedback, and don’t be afraid to experiment and push boundaries.

When submitting to competitions like the MUSE Design Awards, choose a project that reflects your passion and showcases your unique perspective. Focus on how your work contributes to solving challenges and improving lives, whether through innovation, sustainability, or creative storytelling. Above all, stay committed to your craft, be authentic in your designs, and always aim for excellence.

To improve your skills in the design industry, focus on key online platforms like Coursera, Skillshare, and Interaction Design Foundation for courses in UX/UI, graphic design, and design thinking. Learn essential tools like Figma, Adobe XD, and Adobe Creative Suite, using tutorials from Lynda.com and Adobe's own resources.

Books like “Don’t Make Me Think” by Steve Krug and “The Design of Everyday Things” by Don Norman are great for building a strong foundation in usability and user-centered design.

Additionally, engage with design communities on Dribbble, Behance, and Awwwards for inspiration and feedback. Participate in design challenges like Daily UI and competitions such as Adobe Creative Jams to refine your skills. Listening to design podcasts like “Design Matters” and “The Futur Podcast” will keep you informed on industry trends and best practices.

Unibike was initially designed with university students and faculty from MIT and Harvard in mind, which inspired the name "UNI." The primary goal was to improve campus mobility.

However, as the project evolved, we realized its broader potential. Unibike’s scalability and flexibility became apparent, opening up possibilities for widespread urban use, extending well beyond academic settings.

Professor Jinhua Zhao, Yingu’s mentor at MIT, has been a key inspiration throughout our journey. His comprehensive approach to urban mobility, blending behavioral science with transportation technology, has deeply shaped our view on creating solutions that are not only functional but transformative.

Prof. Zhao’s commitment to decarbonizing mobility through initiatives like TRAM.Global aligns closely with the vision for Unibike Co. His guidance, particularly in the Mobility Venture course at MIT, offered invaluable insights into merging sustainability with entrepreneurship.

His emphasis on cross-cultural learning and the use of AI in shaping the future of urban mobility has been crucial in informing our strategies for addressing the challenges of city transportation. Prof. Zhao’s passion for mentoring and his forward-thinking leadership in urban mobility have inspired me to pursue bold projects like Unibike, with the aim of redefining how cities approach transportation solutions.

At Unibike Co., our success stems from a deep commitment to understanding and innovating within the urban environment. We believe the future of urban mobility depends on solutions that are not only technologically advanced but also closely aligned with the everyday needs of city residents.

By focusing on sustainability, user experience, and smart integration, we strive to make commuting a more seamless and enjoyable experience. Our advice: never underestimate the power of thoughtful design to enhance urban life. Embrace challenges as opportunities for innovation, and always prioritize the needs of the end-user in your creative process.

At Unibike Co., we’re energized by our journey from idea to production and are now inviting potential investors to join us in this transformative chapter.

Together, we have the opportunity to redefine transportation and drive a more sustainable future. We’d love for you to be part of this exciting venture!