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Interviews with Yingxiao Ouyang
Designer profileDesign Legend Interview
28 September 2025
I studied Industrial Design during my undergraduate and first graduate program, and later expanded into Human-Computer Interaction as a secondary major. This path instilled in me a strong belief that ‘form follows function,’ a principle that continues to shape my design foundation. I place great importance on ensuring that users can intuitively understand a product’s purpose and utility.
Good designs I’ve encountered in my life have inspired me to create as well. I felt pure joy when I first played on a Nintendo Switch, a sense of wonder when I saw Uber’s robotic delivery car, and a strong urge to design something equally impactful when I used a Joseph peeler.
I decided to pursue design at 17, when it was first introduced to me as the intersection of art and technology. That idea deeply resonated with me and inspired my younger self to step onto the path of becoming a designer.
Currently mostly web and apps. Branding design is something i wish to design more of.
When I first started, I saw design as an ultimate destination. But after 7 years of practice and 8 years of study, I’ve come to realize that design is an infinite game. My hope is that younger designers can embrace and enjoy their journey, rather than feeling pressured to chase the status of a design legend.
Great designers reimagine businesses and create new ways to connect with their customers.
Good design gives you the sense that it couldn’t be any other way.
It inspires people in certain ways, either speak up the hidden feeling or form a new life habit that lasts.
If i had time, i wish to do more data related project for general public to help them understand what is going on in the society. Currently many data projects are for enterprise leaders, i feel there is a strong need for the general public to have a way to gain visibility into the constant evolving world.
I would love to work more on data related project for general public.
Personally i find constant communication with the design community is a great way to keep up with the trends. It has helped me to understand what design is needed and what are the common struggles in the design community.
I like Joshua Black's anatomy drawings, I admire Andy Kribel's analytics capability, and I am constantly inspired by Marco Hernandez's data viz projects.
Marco Hernandez's data viz projects are really amazing, changing data into arts.
I like the project which i digitized how truck drivers select their schedules. It is a challenging product given all the current way of doing things, but we successfully launched a project that is scaleable and standard.
Go to conference, speak up about your thoughts, and do good mockups.
I have also selected Aerospace Engineering as my backup major when i apply for undergrad.
Design is a visual business plan.
Dustin Goodman and the Walmart Supply Chain Team. Jieyu Xiong and Mastercard product team.
Bo Ouyang, my undergrad school professor. Dan Liao, my undergrad school advisor. Carrie Bruce, my grad school Mentor. Wendell Wilson, my grad school mentor.
Knowing how can design help business is one of the hardest obstacle.
I think it depends on each designer's preference. I love presenting by business problem, but i fully respect what other designers value.
I would love to enhance my craft capability and business impact in my future projects.
Aspire to be the designer behind products used by billions.
Maybe a deep understanding about what they need and what can be helpful for them.
Design creates understanding.
Working with analysts and economists is something i never thought about, but it is my current work, which is very exciting.
There was a project i conducted several months research, and got approved by users the moment they saw my design.
With AI, more people without design education will have the opportunity to build things by themselves. I think that will unleash new creativity and create more interesting projects!
I think with AI, there will be more professional designers, who are really good at certain things beyond AI. And also there will be more non-designers who are interested in design and do computer assisted design jobs with AI.
Varies based on business needs.
Understand the goal and user needs.
Create a better place with design.
I think design sets the trends.
They are a big part of my projects ensuring designs are feasible.
To make strong contrast and create feelings.
I don't have anything specific. I wish they can talk about my design in a way they want.
What is the process of creating it.
Marco Hernandez. I would love to work with him on 3D data viz project.
Wendell Wilson has the biggest influence on me since he always fully believes in me while holding a high standard, even when some ideas appeared to be bad to others.
Articulate design decisions.
Focusing on the craft.
Joshua Black and Marco Hernandez.
I am very grateful for the recognition I had, it marked a big milestone to my design career.
Blue, Atlanta, rice noodles, fall, iphone and Nitendo.
My apartment uses a washer I designed. Each time the completion tune plays, I’m reminded of the folder that once held its design specs and the audio files for that very sound.
I hope to enjoy everyday i am a designer.
Not at all. I used to think designers are painters until i learned about the role from the industry leaders.
I hope human still exists at that time.
I really appreciate A' Design for giving me the recognition and awards.
Designer Interview
28 June 2025
I’m a product designer specializing in data platforms, web design, and UI/UX. I’m passionate about understanding people’s stories — who they aspire to be and what challenges frustrate them. What draws me to design is its power to solve problems and improve people’s lives.
At my design studio, OYYX Design, I focus on creating elevated data experiences for professional users. I specialize in designing data platforms for audiences such as truck drivers, small business owners, and large retailers. In addition, I offer services in website design, mobile design, and UI/UX projects.
To me, design is a visual business plan. It guides businesses toward their next steps by aligning internal stakeholders and addressing pain points for external customers.
UI/UX projects are the most interesting to me. I enjoy uncovering users’ pain points and brainstorming solutions to address them.
My favorite piece of design is the Nintendo Switch, which uses simple technology to deliver maximum joy to its users. I once read a quote that captures it perfectly: ‘Sometimes even I forget what I want, but Nintendo always remembers.’
A mascot, Drake the Owl, for an Atlanta startup company.
I love how Adobe has brought professionalism to the design community through tools like Illustrator, Photoshop, and its other creative suites. Although these tools aren’t as dominant as they once were, they laid essential foundations for modern software such as Figma and Sketch.
In the evenings, I enjoy sketching on quiet nights — especially when it’s raining.
I’m drawn to the simplicity of the final result. As Jony Ive put it, simplicity means succinctly expressing the essence of something — its purpose and its role in our lives.
It can be very overwhelming until i find a right design direction.
I feel extremely proud and happy. That sense of accomplishment motivates me to take on new projects and see them through to success.
I believe successful design creates joyful and inspiring moments for users, making them feel truly understood.
Successful designs build meaningful connections between businesses and their end users.
Designers should always create with positive impact in mind, not just focus on business metrics.
The design field evolves alongside people’s needs. Good design, like the iPhone, answers the demands of a large audience. Increasingly, non-professional designers will use AI to unleash their creativity, shaping future design trends.
Mood Museum of Design exhibited my design work online. You can check out here https://www.museumofdesign.com/exhibition-item.php?ITEM=164966.
I draw design inspiration by observing small business owners and other professionals, such as female developers. I also attend design weeks, seminars, and lectures to fuel my creativity. Nicer Tuesday in New York is an excellent event for those seeking inspiration from the next generation of design leaders.
Simple and clean — I follow this style to help users quickly grasp the design and enable developers to efficiently build the solution.
I live in New York right now. I originally come from Henan, the origin of China. Both places have shaped me to be creative and resilient.
I’ve had the honor of working at renowned Fortune 500 companies such as Tencent, Electrolux, Walmart, and Mastercard. These organizations offer excellent mentorship programs and are led by inspiring design leaders. Through these experiences, I’ve learned to kick off projects by understanding stakeholders’ needs and clearly communicating my design ideas through mockups and prototypes.
At my current company, I’ve learned the importance of being specific about the design services you request. If a designer specializes in UI/UX, then assign them UI/UX projects; if they focus on content design, then request content-related work. Understanding each person’s strengths is key.
I begin by understanding the business goals, then conduct user research to identify pain points. Next, I create mockups to evaluate the pros and cons of different design solutions, followed by finalizing the mockups for handoff.
Logitech MX Master 3S wireless mouse, Nintendo Switch, iPad, Procreate, and Apple Pencil.
I usually start my day with a cup of coffee in the morning and enjoy a cup of tea in the afternoon. I begin by understanding the needs of my work and planning my time accordingly.
I strongly encourage young designers to actively participate in design conferences, seminars, and events. The best design advice often comes from these experiences and can have a lasting impact on your career.
The positive side of being a designer is having creativity as your greatest asset. The downside is the vulnerability that comes when your work is released—unexpected feedback can sometimes feel overwhelming and discouraging.
Always start by understanding business needs and users pain points.
Critical thinking.
Figma and Procreate.
Focus on what truly matters to avoid spending time on trivial details
It depends. Some projects may take up to half a year, while others can be completed in just a few months.
What is Design? Is it the same as painting?
Over-communication is better than under-communication.
I have been honored to work with some industry leaders like Tencent, Electrolux, Walmart, Mastercard and some amazing startups like DataVibe and NanoResearch.
The ones that can change user behaviors. For example, in Mastercard, I designed a platform along with my design leaders to allow sales people to use data to understand merchants better. This is a platform that really changed how these people work, creating great financial returns to their company.
I love my role at Mastercard and am planning to continue contributing to Finance and Fintech areas using my creative skills.
I love working in a team. A team goes further while an individual goes faster.
I am working on my personal data platform projects to help people understand the current society. Please stay tuned!
I am open to be contacted through ADPlist for young designers who would love a mentorship session. https://adplist.org/mentors/yingxiao-ouyang For other requests, you can contact me at lunaatlgt@gmail.com.
I really appreciate this interview opportunity A' Design Award provide. It is a great honer to be granted with a Silver Award!
Grand Interview
22 October 2025 · Girls Find Girls App
I recently came across numerous social media posts from parents of teenage girls. It’s very common to see them asking career coaches whether a certain major is suitable for girls. Unfortunately, these questions often go unanswered.One day, I watched a replay of a video session where a teenage girl’s father asked the career coach which majors girls tend to excel in. The coach fell silent for a moment, then admitted that he could not identify many majors where girls specifically perform better.These moments are heartbreaking for me to witness. They remind me of my own experiences, as well as those of many female friends, who often felt they couldn’t succeed in certain fields — even though many women have already achieved remarkable success across a range of careers.Reflecting on these conversations, I believe there is a significant opportunity to help teenage girls and their parents make more informed decisions, using data on women’s labor force participation and success. I would love to explore creative solutions to empower these families with confidence and better support them as they navigate educational and career choices.
This decision draws on both user research and my personal experience. According to the research, many female participants primarily want to understand whether a particular industry is a good fit for them. Their focus is not on competing with men, but rather on assessing their own potential for success. Simply knowing that a significant number of women have already succeeded in a given field is often enough to help them feel confident in their decision. This insight resonates with my own experience as well: seeing successful women has motivated me far more than comparisons between women and men ever did.
Research has shown that the number of women present and their levels of participation are strong indicators of female representation. These metrics were prominently featured on both the main page and the industry detail pages. Presenting this data allows target users to quickly get a high-level overview and easily compare different industries.
Through user interviews and a review of existing literature, I found that simply presenting numbers is not enough to motivate people to enter a field. Being able to connect with real industry experts and hear their up-to-date perspectives is crucial. Many female-focused communities already invest significant time and effort in helping girls and professional women access expert networks. However, these initiatives typically require users to have already chosen a career path and to actively seek out those connections. To reduce this burden and avoid duplicating existing efforts, the app aims to help people who have not yet decided on a career path connect with industry leaders. This allows them to explore and better understand different industries through firsthand experiences and stories.
The first approach focuses on prioritizing relevant data. Labor statistics include a wide range of information for different audiences, so selecting and highlighting the data most relevant to my target users makes the dataset simpler and more actionable. The second approach addresses the visual language. Given the age and experience level of the target users, the app adopts a light, professional, and approachable style. Vibrant colors were chosen to create a sense of familiarity, while imagery featuring professional women helps directly communicate the meaning behind the data. By combining a streamlined dataset with an uplifting visual design, I aim to make the app more appealing and engaging for the target audience.
Throughout my career in the B2B sector, spanning supply chain to finance, I have worked with many professionals who rely on data to make informed decisions. This data-driven behavior can be encouraged and scaled among women exploring new career paths. From my experience, making data understandable, relevant to users’ needs, and accurate empowers users to make smarter decisions. Seeing successful examples of this approach in industry has helped me more confidently assess the feasibility of this project.
The app is currently in development, and as an initial success metric, I plan to track user logins and account creation rates. During user interviews, one concern raised by target users was the availability of networking opportunities in smaller cities or rural areas, where the app could have the greatest impact. Participants worried that local connections might be limited, reducing the app’s usefulness. To address this, a planned feature on the roadmap will enable remote connections through video chats and virtual meetings. I look forward to evaluating the app’s performance and user engagement further once this feature is launched.
The first step is to build trust with network owners and collaborate with them to map out available services. The app is not designed to replace the ownership or management of these valuable networks created by female communities. Instead, it serves as an additional entry point to connect users with existing resources. The goal is to help local organizations and female leaders expand their reach and grow their audiences among target users. Managing or operating these networks is not the primary focus of the Girls Find Girls app.
As mentioned on the main persona page, the app is designed not only for teenage girls beginning their careers but for professional women at all stages. Women today face numerous gender-related challenges in the workplace, from pregnancy to promotion. This app visualizes the typical career paths of women, providing valuable insights that increase awareness of the current status of female professionals. Accurately presenting this data to the target audience is a crucial first step toward raising public consciousness about gender equality issues. As the app and its central platform gain visibility, it will foster deeper public discussions, leading to more innovative and effective solutions.
The challenges are twofold. Qualified women often lack confidence in exploring career opportunities, while employers face talent shortages in many fields. The app addresses this by increasing visibility for both groups—female professionals and employers. By visualizing women’s presence in industries such as healthcare, it highlights their significant contributions, many of which often go unrecognized. The app challenges the common bias that men dominate every industry and helps bring female achievements to light by acknowledging their vital presence.
