Can you briefly tell us about your background and what inspired you to pursue design?

I’ve always been passionate about the superpower of design, starting to practice with my background in architectural design. Over time, I expanded my skills to include product design, spatial interaction, visual graphics, 3D production, and software development. These experiences have shaped me into an award-winning UX designer and independent product developer.

Currently, I’m excited about pioneering the use of augmented reality to innovate surgical procedures. My goal is to create inclusive, enjoyable, and innovative experiences, seamlessly integrating cutting-edge technology into everyday life for next-millions-users. I strive to make technology delightful and user-friendly for everyone.

What drove you to submit your work to the IDA competition, and your thoughts on how winning this competition impacted your artistic journey?

I was driven to submit my work to the 2023 International Design Awards because I wanted to showcase the innovative product I’ve been developing and highlight the importance of inclusive design. Winning the 2023 International Design Awards is an incredibly meaningful honor for me as a user experience designer and independent developer. This award has significantly boosted my reputation in the industry, enhancing my personal brand, increasing my visibility, and establishing my credibility as a designer.

Most importantly, it’s not just about the recognition for the hard work and dedication I’ve put into my product; it’s also a testament to the critical importance and awareness of inclusive design. It underscores the need to create products that are accessible and enjoyable for people of all abilities. This recognition motivates me to keep pushing the boundaries of innovation and to make design choices that promote a more inclusive environment for everyone.

Could you describe any challenges you faced while working on your winning project?

As an independent developer, one of the primary challenges I faced while working on my winning project was mastering multiple skills across various aspects of production. Each project requires a diverse set of capabilities, from conceptualization and design to coding and user testing. To overcome this, I consulted with professionals and focused on learning the specific skills I needed for each task.

For architecture design and 3D digital media production, I used Rhino, Cinema 4D, and Redshift. For media post-production, I relied on Adobe Photoshop and After Effects. For user experience and responsive web design, I turned to Figma. Front-end development involved HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, while Visual Studio Code helped me achieve local hosting for mobile-end development. Finally, I used GitHub Pages for open-source public hosting. This multidisciplinary approach allowed me to effectively tackle the complexities of my projects.

What, in your opinion, are the most important factors in creating great artwork?

What I believe to be the most important factors in creating great artwork revolve around two key elements: passion and persistence. While nurturing your passion for design is crucial – it’s the driving force that helps you overcome challenges and setbacks. There’s more to it than just passion. Creativity isn’t merely a burst of inspiration; it’s a discipline that requires continuous, dedicated effort.

My enthusiasm for creating and innovating does more than fuel my creativity—it’s a daily commitment that needs constant nurturing. This persistent practice shapes every project I undertake and is a private yet pivotal component of my work. It’s about continuously reminding myself why I started designing in the first place and allowing that original spark to guide and influence my journey.

This blend of passion and persistence not only deepens my own creative capabilities but also aims to inspire and impact those around me, making each design resonate more meaningfully. This approach helps me create artwork that is not only innovative but also profoundly connects with its audience.

What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of design?

For me, the most challenging aspect of design is that it’s fundamentally about communication and sharing. Design is a creative process where I transform the knowledge and insights I gather into real, tangible products. This process involves turning complex ideas into accessible and engaging formats, helping individuals effortlessly gain knowledge and information through their interactions with the design.

Whether it’s creating a digital interface, a physical product, or an immersive environment, every design aims to take users on a journey toward deeper understanding and appreciation. My goal in crafting these journeys is to ensure that interactions are smooth and intuitive, allowing learning to occur naturally as part of the user experience.

Design serves as a crucial link between human experience and technological innovation, embedding learning into everyday life in a way that is both meaningful and enjoyable. The challenge lies in making this process seamless and ensuring that the user experience is enriched without feeling forced or cumbersome.

What motivates and drives your work?

My work is driven by the problems I uncover through research. For instance, traditional 2D diagrams and renderings often fail to capture the full richness of fashion concepts and architectural experiences. To address this, I developed a product that provides a seamless 3D immersive experience accessible via a web browser through simple interactions. 

This product allows users to explore spatially, from appreciating intricate details at a macro level to engaging with nuanced interactions and dynamic textures at a micro level. It immerses users in a nonlinear upcycling handicraft workflow tailored to each architectural miniature spatial concept, making architectural designs and fashion concepts more tangible, interactive, and accessible to a broader audience.

My motivation comes from the desire to bridge the communication gap of complex design concepts, ensuring that these designs are not only understood but also appreciated in their full depth and detail for everyone.

What’s next for you in your career as a designer?

Winning this award has profoundly validated my work and approach to design, especially my commitment to inclusive design. It acknowledges the innovative and user-centric solutions I’ve developed, confirming that my efforts are on the right track. This kind of recognition reinforces my belief in the principles I apply to my work.

This award not only celebrates my past achievements but also propels me toward future endeavors. It motivates me to continue exploring and implementing cutting-edge design practices. With the confidence gained from this recognition, I plan to tackle more ambitious projects and further my development as a leader in the design field.

I hope this award can inspire other designers to embrace and prioritize inclusive design in their work. By demonstrating that such initiatives are recognized and valued, I aim to influence the industry toward more universally accessible and user-focused design solutions.