Interview with Ying Pan from the United States

My design journey began in college when I started creating posters for a student organisation. I discovered the joy of shifting pixels to harmonise a design and became intrigued by the potential of design beyond aesthetics—its humanistic values and social impact. This realisation led me to pursue a career that combines creativity with meaningful user engagement.

I work at Marqeta, a Bay Area fintech company, where I'm part of a dynamic team that designs products for B2B customers. My role ranges from leading feature designs from concept to delivery, participating in product research and vision planning, supporting go-to-market strategies, to enhancing workflow processes and team building. Design thinking is at the heart of all this, helping us deliver innovative solutions consistently.

For me, design is not just a tool to enhance the product experience, but a mindset. It encourages looking at challenges through a growth lens, proactively defining opportunities, and embracing uncertainties. This approach to design positively shapes how I view the world, making it an integral part of my personal and professional life.

My background in chemical engineering taught me the beauty of logic, which has made me appreciate tackling complex product design challenges that involve deep user flow considerations. The designs that make me proudest aren’t just visually appealing but are structured with an inherent logical beauty.

Good design effectively solves real problems, is logically sound, and, if possible, incorporates strong elements of human empathy.

The concept for my award-winning design was inspired by my personal experiences learning musical instruments since I was seven years old. The scarcity of music education resources and the infrequency of lessons made learning an instrument a solitary and daunting task. As I grew professionally, I saw an opportunity to apply my skills to meet these challenges.

This project started as a personal effort but evolved significantly for the competition when I collaborated with my designer friend Nan Jiang. We drew inspiration from numerous existing apps and user research, identifying innovative opportunities. Advances in Generative AI in 2024 have also boosted our confidence in integrating features that were previously considered impossible.

Growing up in China and then moving to the United States for higher education and work has profoundly influenced my approach to design. The blend of Chinese cultural values that emphasise rationality and simplicity, combined with American values that promote exploration and innovation, has allowed me to develop a design process that is both efficient and creatively robust.

Thank you! Winning this award means a great deal to me personally. This is my first design award, representing a significant recognition of my ideas and skills. For my team and company, it underscores our commitment to innovation and design excellence, boosting our credibility and visibility in the industry.

The winning project, Phrase, is an iPad app designed specifically for music learners to receive professional guidance outside the classroom. As mentioned earlier, my music education challenges inspired me to create a solution that provides equal learning opportunities for all music learners, regardless of their starting point. I entered the French Design Awards to share our innovative solutions and expand their impact.

Initially, there were few similar products on the market, which meant we had limited references. However, through extensive user interviews and iterative design processes, we gradually carved our path, adapting and refining our solutions based on direct feedback and user needs.

Winning this award is not only a validation of my work but also a major encouragement to continue to advance in my design career. It boosts my confidence and motivates me to pursue further innovation and excellence.

My top three favourites about the design industry are its creativity, inclusiveness, and the constant evolution that challenges us to keep learning and growing. These aspects make the field of design exciting and fulfilling.

Our design stands out not only because of its ultimate aesthetic and functional outcome but also because of our deep commitment to addressing the underlying issue – educational resource disparity. The humanistic values embedded in our design add a significant layer of depth and appeal.

In the next 5-10 years, design methodologies and mindsets are likely to evolve with the widespread adoption of generative AI, making it easier to implement ideas. However, generating truly innovative design ideas will become even more valuable as the technical barriers to creation become lower.

You are already excellent– don't hesitate to showcase your proudest projects in competitions. Boldness in presenting your work can be the first step towards recognition.

Real-world experience is invaluable; immerse yourself in everyday tasks if you're already in the field. In addition, interacting with other designers and experts from various industries can spark new ideas and refine your design thinking through diverse perspectives.

I plan to start a new personal project this year, and I intend to enter more design competitions to challenge myself and further develop my abilities.

My colleagues at my current company have been a tremendous source of inspiration. Although I can't name everyone, their dedication to their craft and the way they balance professional and personal life constantly inspire me to improve both my design skills and my personal growth.

Choosing wisely is more important than working hard. Make the right choices for yourself and then commit yourself fully to those paths without looking back.

I would like to thank the French Design Awards for recognising my work and my collaborator Nan Jiang for his dedication and effort in our project. Together, we have been able to bring our vision to life, and I am grateful for the journey we have shared.