I'm Yizhou Liu, a senior product designer at Yahoo and a freelance designer with a background in industrial design and human-computer interaction. My passion lies in crafting unique interactions with cutting-edge technologies.

My previous work has encompassed various domains, including fintech, AI-powered products, wearable experiences, information visualization, mixed reality, and ubiquitous computing. I have also had the opportunity to design digital product experiences for other esteemed tech companies such as Google.

I kept finding myself in paradoxes from a young age. Like I played saxophone from an early time but my playlist was occupied with electronic music. I also dreamt of being an astronomer but ended up becoming a product designer.

As I entered the tech industry, paradoxes haunt me still. I love new technologies as they can be the sharpest knife to kill boredom and limitations but I also hate how they swallow our life. However, I found that when using my creativity to design, to create, to imagine, my world seems to achieve a subtle balance in such a dangerous but charming paradox. So I choose to engage myself more in the creative fields and bring pioneering tech to people’s life with innovative products.

Yahoo is a renowned global media and technology company with a wide-reaching impact, connecting nearly a billion individuals worldwide to their passions. Our diverse range of trusted products, content, and brands, including Yahoo, AOL, and TechCrunch, span across various domains, from finance and commerce to gaming and news.

As a design lead for Yahoo Finance mobile apps, I am focused on spearheading the development of Yahoo Finance apps, as well as creating innovative features for our finance community. My goal is to empower individuals to make smarter investment decisions by providing them with user-friendly, intuitive, and engaging experiences.

To me, creativity is not just about thinking outside the box, but daring to redefine the entire concept of the box itself. It is a bold and audacious pursuit to break free from the confines of conventionality and to venture into uncharted territories of originality and innovation. It is the unwavering determination to challenge the status quo, push boundaries, and transcend limitations, fueled by an unquenchable thirst for novelty and distinction.

For me, a creative design is characterized by an ‘Aha Moment’ - a breakthrough, innovative, and original concept that captures attention and sparks interest. It is that moment when you encounter a design or idea that leaves you awe-inspired and captivated. The every ‘Aha Moment’ usually feels fresh, unexpected, and unique, and also makes the products impactful and meaningful.

A typical design process begins with questioning. I consistently ask a multitude of questions about the target audience and business objectives to cultivate empathy. Most importantly, I constantly question the core problem at hand, delving into the ‘why’ behind our efforts.

As the design goal becomes more refined, I engage in extensive brainstorming sessions to generate fresh ideas that are both delightful and effective. Through numerous rounds of design review, development, and testing, I relish the iterative process, constantly pushing the boundaries to deliver outstanding products and experiences.

The thrill of testing is definitely my favorite part of the creative process. There's an unparalleled excitement that courses through me as I eagerly await the moment when a user interacts with the product for the first time. The joy and satisfaction that come from witnessing their reactions, their expressions, and their genuine experience with my creation is simply indescribable. Their feedback and insights are also so valuable, helping me refine and improve my creation further.

I am a minimalist. I always strive for the most simple solution and the cleanest appearance for my design. I prioritize stripping away unnecessary elements to achieve a refined and elegant aesthetic, allowing the essence of the design to shine through without any superfluous embellishments.

As a native of China, I firmly believe that my early exposure to calligraphy has profoundly influenced my artistic sensibilities and moulded my creative approach. Chinese calligraphy is not only appreciated for its visual aesthetics but also for its cultural significance.

It is often regarded as a form of meditation or a means of self-expression, reflecting the calligrapher's personality, emotions, and spirituality. The practice of this ancient art form has instilled in me a deep sense of inspiration which continues to inform and enrich my work to this day.

The recognition and honor of receiving MUSE award truly fuels my motivation to continue pushing forward and delving into intriguing topics within the realm of design.

Nitefly is one of my proudest personal projects. The product is a delightful, safe and romantic outdoor-running experience in Apple Watch and mobile. With a firefly-collecting game, users could overcome laziness and bad running habits, also important concerns for outdoor runners such as safety will be solved with suitable guidance.

I have selected this project to submit for the MUSE Creative Awards this year because it showcases a great deal of my creativity and utilizes a captivating gamification technique to enhance the quality of people's lives.

Exploring how to change users' behavior through gamification and integrating it into a product may not be an easy feat, but it is undoubtedly an exhilarating one. In fact, I find it to be a highly enjoyable and stimulating process. To achieve this goal, I have dedicated myself to applying various psychological theories into my design work, conducting thorough tests, and constantly engaging in rapid iterations.

With each attempt, I have gained a deeper understanding of what motivates users and how to design a product that will truly resonate with them. Despite the challenges, the thrill of creating something truly impactful keeps me motivated and eager to push the boundaries even further.

Receiving an award presents a significant opportunity for me to enhance my visibility and gain recognition. However, what holds greater significance for me is the potential to interact with individuals from diverse industries who are introduced through such an award. This gives me access to invaluable feedback and insights, allowing me to expand my horizons and knowledge.

I am currently employed in the tech industry, and while there are certainly drawbacks, I maintain a strong passion for this field. Among the many things that I enjoy about working in tech, some of my favorites include:

Firstly, the tech industry is a vibrant and dynamic field with many opportunities for growth and development. Working alongside some of the brightest and most innovative minds in the industry can inspire new ideas and spark creativity.

Also, the fast-paced growth of technology creates endless possibilities for exploring new ideas, products, and services. What’s more, the industry is characterized by an entrepreneurial and adventurous spirit, encouraging individuals to take risks and try new things.

The excitement and unpredictability of working in such a rapidly evolving field can be a huge source of motivation for those seeking a challenge.

Working in the United States has shown me first-hand the incredible power of inclusiveness and diversity in fueling creativity and innovation. In fact, I believe it is one of the most unique and valuable characteristics of this place. By embracing a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds, we are able to tap into a rich tapestry of ideas and approaches that simply wouldn't be possible otherwise.

In the next 5 to 10 years, the creative industry is set to undergo a transformational evolution. Thanks to the incredible advancements in AI, we are witnessing a shift towards a more innovation-focused approach, where people can delegate the tedious, mundane tasks to machines. This in turn, will greatly enhance productivity, making it easier and more efficient to create new and exciting products.

Moreover, the world is becoming more interconnected than ever before, presenting a plethora of opportunities for different cultures, fields, and people to come together and inspire each other. With this increased connectivity, we can expect to see a fusion of ideas, cultures, and styles, resulting in a surge of fresh, innovative concepts and products that reflect the diverse and dynamic nature of our global community.

Be honest and stay curious.

I would suggest that they can broaden their communication with industry experts and acquaint themselves with a variety of other professionals' work through personal websites, blogs, channels, and other sources. By perusing these materials and reflecting on their own creative process, they can certainly enhance the essential skills.

I believe that the most remarkable invention in history is, without a doubt, Pokemon.

Kenya Hara. His philosophy of ‘emptiness’ has not only inspired my design work, but has also provided me with guidance in life.

I do not consider myself to be successful at the moment, and I am not striving for success in the conventional sense. Instead, I believe that the essence of life lies in having fun, rather than achieving success.

Again, thanks for Muse.World to interview me and I'm so excited to share my experience and thoughts with everyone.