Yaru Liu: Hi, my name is Yaru Liu and I’m currently a UX designer with over 6 years of experience, specializing in Visual Design, UX Design, and Emerging Technology Design. I’ve worked at financial companies like Goldman Sachs and large tech companies such as Amazon.

I am passionate about solving complex problems through user experience design, with a particular focus on creating designs that have a social impact.

Xinyu Song: Hi, my name is Xinyu Song. I’m a Visual and UX Designer with over 8 years of experience in the design field. I am passionate about exploring the boundaries and limitations of design.

Currently, my focus is on improving accessibility in digital products and exploring how emerging technologies, such as AI, can enhance user experiences.

We both share a natural curiosity and passion for creation. Growing up, we were fascinated by how design can influence people’s experiences and emotions. We believe good design has the power to solve real problems and improve lives.

This is why we chose to specialize in UX design—it allows us to combine our creative passions with a deep focus on understanding users. The idea of creating intuitive, user-centered solutions that make technology more accessible excites us. Ultimately, being designers allows us to blend our analytical skills with our artistic vision, making a tangible impact on the world around us.

As UX designers, we volunteer and collaborate with organizations in our spare time to design and implement products for people with various disabilities. For example, we designed Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices for users with aphasia.

To us, creativity is the ability to think beyond conventional boundaries and envision innovative solutions. It’s not just about artistic expression; it’s about problem-solving and connecting ideas in unique ways. As UX designers, creativity means understanding user needs and translating those insights into designs that enhance experiences.

Creativity also involves embracing curiosity and being open to experimentation. It’s about exploring different perspectives and finding inspiration in unexpected places.

For us, a truly creative idea or design not only works but also solves a problem in a way that's elegant, efficient, or surprising. It might be something that simplifies a complex process, enhances something in our lives, or simply brings a fresh perspective to a familiar challenge.

The key is that it delivers real value and leaves a lasting impression.

We typically leverage the Design Thinking process—Discover, Define, Design, Test, and Iterate—to evolve design solutions and bring ideas to life. However, the end-to-end process isn't always suitable for every project. We often adjust it based on the project timeline, specific needs, and constraints.

Effective communication and staying aligned with all stakeholders are key to the design process. It helps us ensure that we’re all on the same page, aligning perspectives and allowing us to iterate quickly and efficiently.

We particularly enjoy the empathy and ideation phases. It’s incredibly rewarding to engage with users, understand their needs, and gather insights that inform our design decisions. These phases allow us to step into their shoes, uncover pain points, and identify opportunities for improvement.

This foundation not only enhances the usability of the final product but also ensures that it truly resonates with its audience. Ultimately, this process of empathy and discovery fuels our creativity and leads to more meaningful designs.

Our design and creative style is user-centered, minimalist, and iterative.

1. We prioritize understanding user needs and behaviors, which inform every design decision we make. We believe that empathy is essential for creating effective user experiences.

2. We embrace a minimalist aesthetic, favoring clean lines and simple layouts that enhance usability. This approach not only makes interfaces visually appealing but also ensures users can navigate seamlessly without distractions.

3. We adopt an iterative design process. Feedback is a vital component, enabling us to continuously refine and enhance our designs.

Yes, we both believe that thousands of years of cultural heritage significantly influence our creativity. Growing up in several cities, we've been exposed to a rich tapestry of traditions, aesthetics, and values that shape our design sensibilities.

For instance, the cultural identity of each city, with its unique architecture, vibrant color palettes, and local communication styles, all contribute to our design approach. Additionally, understanding local user behaviors and preferences enables us to create designs that resonate more deeply with the target audience. We strive to blend global design principles with local cultural nuances, resulting in solutions that are both relevant and meaningful.

Winning the 2024 MUSE Creative Awards is an incredible honor for us. This recognition is a testament to our passion for crafting thoughtful, intuitive designs. It validates our commitment to innovation and strengthens the trust our clients place in us.

At the heart of this achievement is the collaborative effort of our team, whose creativity and drive continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible. This award fuels our commitment to making a meaningful impact on the communities we serve, and we’re excited to continue our journey of innovation and share what’s next.

"Uvoice" is a transformative interactive design project that reimagines the relationship between medical rehabilitation and artificial intelligence. By leveraging trainable AI, we enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of rehabilitation, fostering deeper connections within communities and among vulnerable groups.

Our innovative products and engaging interactive experiences address practical challenges, such as improving speech rehabilitation for individuals with aphasia, while expanding language rehabilitation opportunities for this population.

The project is dedicated to empowering vulnerable groups and ensuring the sustainability of rehabilitation treatments. This commitment is reflected in our focus on creating effective outcomes and enhancing opportunities for better care. We have chosen to submit "Uvoice" for the 2024 MUSE Creative Awards to demonstrate how design can drive positive change and create more equitable solutions in the medical field.

The primary challenge faced by "Uvoice" was striking a balance between our ambitious vision and its practical implementation. Specifically, the technical complexities involved in developing treatments, rehabilitation methods, and interaction strategies tailored to varying levels of user experience required extensive research and collaboration with experts across multiple fields.

It was crucial to ensure the effectiveness, reliability, and ease of use of our approach. By tackling these challenges directly, we successfully showcased the feasibility and value of our vision for a more reliable and adaptable language rehabilitation solution.

Winning the 2024 MUSE Creative Awards for "Uvoice" has been a transformative experience, elevating our work and opening exciting new opportunities. This prestigious recognition validates our innovative approach to healthcare interaction design and sustainable rehabilitation while amplifying our message to a broader audience.

The increased visibility has attracted potential clients, partners, and investors who share our passion for driving positive change through design. This award stands as a testament to the power of design in addressing complex challenges and inspiring a more sustainable future.

User-Centric Focus with Turning Dreams into Reality: It’s incredibly rewarding to take ideas and transform them into real, tangible experiences that improve people’s lives.

Constant Innovation: The industry is always evolving, which keeps the work fresh and exciting. With new technologies, tools, and design methodologies emerging regularly, there’s always something new to learn and explore. This environment encourages creativity and experimentation, pushing us to think outside the box.

Never a Dull Moment: The fast-paced nature of the design world ensures that no two days are the same. Whether it's tackling new challenges, collaborating with diverse teams, or adapting to the latest trends, there's always an opportunity for growth and inspiration. This dynamic keeps me engaged and passionate about my work!

Living in New York, the creative industry is uniquely vibrant and diverse, shaped by the city’s cultural richness and dynamic energy. The variety of backgrounds and influences from around the world fosters an unparalleled creative atmosphere. This melting pot of ideas leads to innovative design solutions that reflect a wide range of perspectives.

New York serves as a hub for collaboration across various industries—tech, fashion, art, and media—which facilitates the cross-pollination of ideas and approaches. The city’s fast-paced environment drives designers to stay ahead of trends and push creative boundaries, resulting in cutting-edge work.

Access to world-class institutions, events, and networking opportunities in New York enhances professional growth and fuels creativity. This unique blend of cultural diversity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a relentless drive for innovation makes New York a truly distinctive force in the global creative landscape.

Increased Integration of AI: AI will play a larger role in the design process, enhancing creativity and efficiency. Tools that assist in generating designs, analyzing user behavior, and personalizing experiences will become more sophisticated, allowing designers to focus on higher-level strategic thinking and breaking boundaries.

Emphasis on User-Centric Design: As users become more discerning, there will be a stronger focus on creating inclusive and accessible designs. This means prioritizing diverse user needs and ensuring that products are usable by everyone, regardless of their background or abilities.

Immersive Experiences: With advancements in AR and VR technologies, the demand for immersive experiences will rise. Designers will explore new ways to engage users through interactive and experiential design, blurring the lines between the digital and physical worlds.

Find where your passion is, and keep pursuing. No matter how the technology will evolve, the core principal of design will stay.

To enhance your skills in the creative industry, explore a wide range of valuable resources. Start by enrolling in online courses that cover various aspects of design and complement this learning by joining design communities for inspiration and constructive feedback. Reading design books will deepen your understanding of core principles across different products, while following design podcasts and attending webinars will keep you informed about the latest trends and methodologies.

Engage in local workshops, meetups, and design conferences to network with professionals and gain hands-on experience. Seek out mentors through dedicated platforms who can provide guidance and support, and surround yourself with other creatives who inspire you.

Familiarize yourself with essential design tools and work on personal or hypothetical projects to apply your skills in real-world scenarios. Participating in online challenges is a great way to connect with others in the field and further develop your portfolio.

Remember, the creative landscape is always evolving, so stay curious, keep learning, and, most importantly, enjoy the journey! By leveraging these resources and embracing a bold approach, you can sharpen your skills and thrive in the dynamic world of design.

This project is an experimental next step in our volunteer work designing Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices for people with speech disorders. Our aim is to further explore how technology can assist individuals with disabilities.

One of the biggest inspirations in our lives has been Dieter Rams, the legendary industrial designer known for his minimalist approach and the concept of "less, but better." His philosophy emphasizes functionality, simplicity, and the importance of user experience—values that resonate deeply with us as designers.

His work encourages us to think critically about the impact of design on users and the environment, pushing us to strive for excellence in every project. Great design has the power to enhance lives and make a meaningful difference in the world.

Success lies in a combination of curiosity, resilience, and a strong commitment. Staying curious allows you to continuously learn and adapt to new trends and technologies, while resilience helps you navigate challenges and setbacks with a positive mindset. Great design comes from understanding the needs of users and the context in which they interact with your work and life.

Enjoy the design and creative world! Enjoy the journey—creativity thrives when you’re having fun!