Building Easel: A Smarter, Friendlier Way to Explore Museums

Nanwei Cai: I’m Nanwei Cai, a product designer based in NYC. Currently, I design at Palantir Technologies, where I focus on making powerful data systems more accessible through AI-driven UX innovation. My work has contributed to scaling products, integrating patented systems, and driving user growth. Before Palantir, I designed at GE Appliances, optimizing UX for connected consumer products in GEA’s SmartHQ ecosystem. I’m passionate about leveraging emerging technologies like AI to transform complexity into pleasant experiences, creating value for users and business.

Chuoer Liang: I’m a UX designer specializing in e-commerce, with a strong focus on optimizing user experiences that drive business growth. I help retailers increase basket size, boost app downloads, and enhance customer loyalty by fostering seamless omnichannel engagement.

Through my master’s program in Human-Centered Interaction, I’ve developed deep expertise in designing intuitive, user-friendly experiences that solve real pain points and deliver measurable results.

Xinyi Ye: I’m Xinyi, a product designer based in Seattle. I’ve always been passionate about creating experiences that resonate with people. I began my career as a filmmaker, crafting stories for the silver screen—an experience that built my foundation in storytelling and human interaction.

Now, I channel that creative energy into product design. At my current design agency, I work with startups across AI, Web3, and other industries—translating business ideas into user-centered, evidence-based solutions that make a meaningful impact.

Jiaxi Yang: I’m Jiaxi Yang, a NYC-based product designer. I currently lead design for the AI platform and products at Palantir Technologies, where I focus on delivering scalable, reliable LLM-powered solutions that streamline complex enterprise workflows. In a B2B environment, creativity is my catalyst for crafting innovative interaction patterns and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

Before Palantir, I worked across creative industries—from 3D printing and VR to game development—experiences that enriched my perspective and refined my design thinking. I’ve learned that creativity is not just a skill but a powerful tool for solving real-world problems.

Chenxi Liu: I’m Chenxi Liu, a Boston-based designer with a background in design, research, and product management. My work spans EdTech, B2B, financial management, and government sectors, where I focus on simplifying complexity through intuitive, user-centered design. I believe in crafting digital experiences that are seamless, functional, and empowering—driving meaningful impact for users and organizations alike.

Nanwei Cai: I became a designer because I’m drawn to solving complex problems through creativity and technology. Design offers a unique lens through which I understand and shape the world. It creates a collaborative space, allowing me to learn from engineers, domain experts, and users while aligning diverse perspectives.

As a tool for untangling complexity, design transforms intricate systems into intuitive and accessible experiences. I find fulfillment in design as it empowers users with technology while driving business and social good.

Chuoer Liang: I began my career working at an airline in Seattle, where I loved helping passengers from around the world. However, I noticed recurring challenges—passengers struggling with flight transfers, navigating delays, and facing unnecessary frustrations. This sparked my curiosity: how could these experiences be improved at scale to create a smoother journey for travelers?

That question led me to UX design, where I discovered the power of designing intuitive, user-centered solutions. To deepen my expertise, I pursued a master’s in UX and Human-Centered Interaction, where I learned how to translate user needs into impactful designs.

Xinyi Ye: I chose to pursue a product design career because I deeply care about people, our community, and society. I care about making people’s lives easier and happier. I believe great design should strike a thoughtful balance between business goals and user experience. Leveraging my creativity and problem-solving skills to create solutions that make a real difference is incredibly fulfilling and motivates me to do my best work every day.

Jiaxi Yang: I’ve always been fascinated by the transformative power of creativity—its ability to bridge diverse fields and solve complex challenges. Early on, I recognized that creative thinking wasn’t merely an artistic pursuit but a fundamental tool for innovation. I was drawn to a career where art, technology, and user-centric design come together to craft meaningful solutions.

Nanwei Cai: I’m currently a product designer at Palantir Technologies, driving user experience strategy and crafting AI-powered enterprise data tools that simplify complex workflows. I led UX efforts to scale the user base of Palantir’s flagship data engineering system, integrating AI features and contributing to multiple patents.

Products I designed have been widely used by leading organizations across industries worldwide. My role bridges advanced technology like AI with user-centered design, ensuring powerful yet intuitive solutions that drive user value and business impact.

Chuoer Liang: I'm currently a Product Designer at Inmar Intelligence, where I lead end-to-end design for e-commerce platforms across web and mobile.

My work focuses on enhancing user experiences that drive business value—helping retailers increase sales, improve customer retention, and foster long-term brand loyalty. I specialize in optimizing user flows and integrating innovative features to create seamless and efficient shopping experiences.

Xinyi Ye: I'm currently a product designer at a design agency called Studio Salt. We help startups across various industries, including AI, Web3, and more, successfully launch their products from 0 to 1.

My role involves leading end-to-end design processes, from early concept development to final deployment. This includes collaborating closely with clients, conducting research, crafting user-centered designs, prototyping, and testing to ensure intuitive and impactful user experiences.

Jiaxi Yang: At Palantir, we’re transforming how organizations harness data to address real-world challenges. As the lead designer for Palantir AIP, our AI platform, I’m at the forefront of creating intuitive, scalable solutions powered by LLMs.

My role involves designing innovative interaction patterns and user interfaces that simplify complex enterprise workflows, enabling teams to make data-driven decisions effectively. By blending creative design with advanced technology, I ensure our tools not only meet today’s operational demands but also evolve to empower businesses in the future.

Chenxi Liu: I’ve worked as both a UX designer and a product manager, combining user research, interaction design, and strategic thinking to create impactful digital solutions. Currently, I work at Time Tec, a software solutions company serving government clients.

Previously, I designed complex enterprise and educational tools, focusing on making sophisticated systems more intuitive and accessible. My work is guided by a passion for human-centered design and using technology to solve complex challenges in a way that feels simple and effective.

Nanwei Cai: To me, creativity is the ability to shift perspectives, challenge conventions, and reimagine solutions. It’s about bridging logic with intuition, turning constraints into opportunities, and bringing clarity to complexity.

Chuoer Liang: To me, creativity is the ability to connect ideas in new ways, turning constraints into opportunities.

Xinyi Ye: To me, creativity is more than just generating new ideas. It is about expression and execution, turning ideas into something meaningful and valuable. It is the ability to bring imagination to life in a way that resonates and creates impact.

Jiaxi Yang: Creativity, to me, is about transforming challenges into opportunities through innovative problem solving. Importantly, I believe creativity sparks a chain effect—while I’m just one individual, my design choices have the power to scale, empowering countless others and amplifying impact far beyond what I could achieve alone.

Chenxi Liu: I think creativity is about finding unexpected yet effective solutions to complex problems. It’s not just about making things look good—it’s about understanding users, thinking critically, and crafting experiences that feel natural and meaningful.

Nanwei Cai: To me, a creative design is one that approaches a problem with clarity, balance and precision, solving it in a way that feels effortless yet impactful.

Chuoer Liang: To me, creativity in UX design is about problem-solving in a way that is both innovative and intuitive. It’s about crafting experiences that feel seamless and engaging while balancing user needs and business goals.

Xinyi Ye: I believe a creative design is one that brings a unique perspective to solving real-world problems, all while staying rooted in the user's experience and needs.

Jiaxi Yang: To me, a creative idea or design is one that feels natural and intuitive—as if it has always been that way—even though it’s entirely new. It’s simple and elegant, yet packed with potential. It usually starts by taking a step back, reimagining a long-standing problem from a fresh perspective, and asking: “what do users really want?”

Chenxi Liu: A creative design is one that balances innovation with usability. It challenges assumptions, offers a fresh perspective, and solves problems in a way that feels both intuitive and impactful. True creativity isn’t just about being different—it’s about making a real difference.

Nanwei Cai: My iterative design process begins with research to build user empathy and deeply understand the problem domain—identifying user signals in the field and using the product firsthand to experience pain points. From there, I whiteboard, ideate, and prototype workflows quickly. I love gathering feedback from both users and teammates early and often, continuously refining designs through testing.

I collaborate closely with engineers to ensure feasibility while embracing experimentation to push design and technological boundaries. This cycle of research, prototyping, testing, and iteration drives intuitive, scalable solutions that evolve with user needs and technological possibilities.

Chuoer Liang: My design process starts with understanding the problem and the users through research, which helps me uncover their needs and pain points. Once I have clear insights, I move into ideation—brainstorming solutions and sketching out initial concepts.

I then create wireframes and prototypes, focusing on usability and ensuring the flow feels intuitive. I believe in rapid iteration, so I continuously test and refine my designs based on user feedback and team collaboration. Throughout the process, I maintain open communication with cross-functional teams to align on business goals and technical feasibility.

Xinyi Ye: Every design process is a little different, but I always start by clarifying the problem we’re trying to solve. This helps align the team and avoids miscommunication. Once I understand the challenge, I research the users as much as possible within the given constraints, aiming to gather evidence that informs design decisions.

I then brainstorm and sketch out ideas, narrowing them down until I can confidently present the strongest solution—backed by clear reasoning to align stakeholders. Implementation is just as important, so I stay organized and communicate closely with engineers. After launch, I monitor performance and gather feedback to guide improvements.

Jiaxi Yang: I always begin by stepping back to fully understand the problem and what users truly need—challenging assumptions and uncovering deeper motivations, even when solutions seem obvious. I’ve learned to resist jumping straight into references or competitor analysis. Instead, I give space for new ideas to emerge outside the confines of existing norms.

This process often includes collaboration with users, who may come in with fixed expectations. Once I have a solid foundation, I move into ideation, letting creativity flow freely in search of solutions that feel intuitive—as if they’ve always existed. From there, I refine ideas through prototyping and testing, striving for elegant, simple designs that unlock lasting value.

Chenxi Liu: My design process begins with in-depth research to build empathy and fully understand the problem space. I immerse myself in user insights, identifying pain points and opportunities through observation and direct engagement. Next, I move into ideation—sketching workflows and rapidly prototyping to explore solutions.

Feedback is integral: I continually test and refine based on user input and team collaboration. I also work closely with engineers to ensure feasibility while embracing experimentation to push both design and technical boundaries. This iterative cycle helps produce intuitive, scalable solutions that grow with user needs.

Nanwei Cai: My favorite part is prototyping and gathering user feedback. Prototyping makes ideas tangible, allowing me to communicate the user story and workflow intuitively. Seeing how users interact with a design—what works, what doesn’t, and where they struggle—provides invaluable insights for improving the design. This stage is highly iterative, enabling continuous refinement based on real user needs.

Chuoer Liang: My favorite part of the creative process is the exploration stage—brainstorming and uncovering unexpected solutions. It’s when ideas take shape and possibilities feel limitless. This stage fuels innovation, allowing me to experiment, challenge assumptions, and push beyond the obvious to create meaningful, impactful designs.

Xinyi Ye: My favorite part of the design process is ideation. It feels like being a detective—piecing together clues to solve a case and uncover the right solution. I love diving into research findings, user insights, and business goals, then weaving them together to spark meaningful ideas. It’s a deeply creative and strategic phase where imagination meets logic.

Jiaxi Yang: My favorite part isn’t tied to a specific stage or step—it’s the "AHA" moment. It’s that instant when you strip away the noise and finally grasp the simple root of a problem, rather than getting lost in overcomplicated details. Everything clicks, and you see how a few simple, even discreet, ideas can come together to form a clear, effective solution.

Chenxi Liu: My favorite part of the design process is user research and usability testing. This phase lays the foundation for understanding user needs and behaviors, which I find incredibly rewarding. With a background in psychology, I enjoy exploring how and why users interact with products, then translating those insights into actionable design solutions.

Usability testing, in particular, is a moment of truth—it lets me validate designs with real users, observe their interactions, and gather feedback. I love the iterative nature of this phase and use it to continuously refine and improve the product experience.

Nanwei Cai: My creative style is minimalist and iterative, with high velocity. I focus on stripping away the unnecessary to create designs that are intuitive, functional, and elegant. Fast iteration is at the core of my process, ensuring continuous improvement while maintaining clarity and simplicity. My creative style allows me to deliver value to users quickly and effectively.

Chuoer Liang: My creative style is all about simplicity—clean, intuitive, and intentional. I strive to eliminate unnecessary complexity, ensuring every element has a purpose. The result is a design that is both elegant and effortless to use.

Xinyi Ye: My creative style is curious at heart, thoughtful in process, and imaginative in execution. These traits help me explore deeply, think intentionally, and bring ideas to life in impactful and meaningful ways.

Jiaxi Yang: My creative style is all about simplicity, clarity, and a deep focus on what users truly need. I like to cut through complexity by identifying the root cause of a problem rather than getting lost in surface-level details. I let ideas flow freely without getting bogged down by what others are doing, then work through them by tweaking and testing until they feel just right. It’s a blend of analytical problem-solving and creative play, helping me build designs that feel natural and intuitive, yet fresh and innovative.

Chenxi Liu: My creative style is intentional, user-focused, and driven by clarity. I aim to distill complexity into simple, intuitive designs that seamlessly guide users toward their goals. I believe in balancing analytical problem-solving with creative exploration, leveraging research, iteration, and experimentation to craft experiences that feel both natural and innovative.

Nanwei Cai: We entered Easel, an AI-powered museum app, into the 2024 MUSE Creative Awards because it represents our passion for blending emerging technology, design, and culture. Easel personalizes museum experiences using generative AI and AR, making art more accessible and engaging. The project reimagines how people interact with cultural institutions, turning passive viewing into an immersive, interactive journey.

Chuoer Liang: We submitted Easel to the 2024 MUSE Creative Awards because it embodies our passion for integrating cutting-edge technology with design and culture. The app uses generative AI and AR to tailor museum experiences, making art more engaging and accessible. It transforms traditional art viewing into an interactive and immersive experience, redefining how visitors engage with cultural spaces.

Xinyi Ye: We entered Easel, an AI-powered museum app, into the 2024 MUSE Creative Awards because we were excited to explore design patterns for AI and AR, and how emerging technologies can be applied to help people in meaningful ways.

As a museum lover, I often felt overwhelmed by the vast number of artworks and unsure where to begin or how to see everything I cared about in one visit. I saw it as a fun and impactful design challenge to create an AI app that offers personalized guided tours tailored to each visitor’s interests and preferences.

Jiaxi Yang: Our winning project, Easel, is a mobile app that lets users create personalized museum tours with the help of AI. Easel takes into account your interests, focus, and even time constraints to generate a tour tailored just for you. Instead of sticking to standard descriptions, it uses AI to offer a conversational, self-directed way to learn about art.

Plus, with AR features, you can see alternative perspectives of artworks—like how they looked before any damage or with an X-ray view—to make the experience more immersive and interactive. We chose to enter this project because it ties directly into my background in AI and VR/AR, and it reflects our personal passion as a museum lover here in NYC.

While my day-to-day work revolves around designing AI solutions for enterprise, Easel allowed me to explore how these cutting-edge technologies can enrich our everyday lives in a fun, artsy way. I wanted to challenge the usual "high tech" and serious vibe associated with AI and AR/VR, and instead create something that feels light, accessible, and engaging.

Chenxi Liu: We entered Easel into the 2024 MUSE Creative Awards because it represents my passion for using design to enhance learning experiences. Museums can be overwhelming, especially for visitors who don’t know where to start. Easel personalizes museum visits by using AI and AR to create dynamic, engaging tours tailored to each user’s interests. I wanted to design an experience that makes art more accessible, interactive, and enjoyable for everyone.

Nanwei Cai: Winning in the MUSE Creative Awards has been great recognition of my impact in designing AI-driven experiences. This acknowledgment has reinforced my belief in the power of design to bridge technology and human needs, motivating me to push creative boundaries further and continuously innovate at the intersection of emerging technology and design.

Chuoer Liang: Thank you! Winning is an incredible honor for me and my team. It validates the hard work, creativity, and dedication we’ve put into our projects. For our team, it’s a proud moment that showcases our collaborative efforts and passion for creating meaningful user experiences. It motivates us to continue pushing boundaries and elevating our work to even higher standards.

Xinyi Ye: It is an honor to win as a Gold Winner. I’m thrilled that our work was recognized on such an international stage. Being acknowledged for designing AI-driven experiences is a powerful validation of my impact in the field. This recognition inspires me to keep pushing boundaries and continue crafting meaningful products that make a real difference in people’s lives.

Jiaxi Yang: Winning has been a real game changer for me. It’s given my work the recognition that shows what I care about truly resonates with people. Now, I’m more inspired to focus on projects that speak to my heart. It’s also helped me connect with fellow designers, creators, and artists, sparking fresh ideas and collaborations. In short, this award has opened new opportunities and broadened my creative journey.

Chenxi Liu: Winning is an incredible honor and a validation of the work I love doing. It reinforces my belief in the power of design to bridge technology and human experiences. This recognition has also helped me connect with other creatives, opening new opportunities for collaboration and pushing me to continue exploring how AI can create more meaningful and engaging experiences.

Nanwei Cai: Here are three things that I find very interesting to me:

1. Technology democratization – Design makes complex technology intuitive and accessible, enabling more people to benefit from technological innovations.

2. Endless innovation – There’s always room for new ideas, fresh perspectives, and bold experiments—limitless possibilities.

3. Collaboration and diversity – Design brings together diverse perspectives, fostering collaboration across cultures and disciplines, leading to richer, more impactful solutions.

Chuoer Liang: I would say innovation, collaboration, and user impact. I love how the design industry encourages constant creativity and pushing boundaries to find new solutions. I also enjoy working with cross-functional teams to gain different perspectives. Most importantly, I feel fulfilled by enhancing user experiences and solving real-world problems through design.

Xinyi Ye: That's a great question! Here are the three things that are interesting to me:

1. Direct impact on people's lives – I love how the industry allows me to create solutions that have a real, positive impact on people’s daily lives.

2. Constant learning and adapting – The ever-evolving nature of technology and design trends keeps me constantly learning and adapting, which I find exciting and fulfilling.

3. Bridging ideas and execution – Serving as a translator between abstract technological concepts and user-friendly applications is a fulfilling aspect of my role.

Jiaxi Yang: First and foremost, the endless opportunity for innovation — there’s always a chance to push the boundaries between art and tech and to find creative solutions that really make a difference.

Secondly, the collaborative community of designers, creators, and artists — it’s inspiring to connect with people who share the passion for making things better, which constantly sparks new ideas.

Last but not least, the impact we can have on everyday life — using design to simplify complex problems and create intuitive, engaging experiences is incredibly rewarding.

Chenxi Liu: Below are three things that I find interesting about our industry:

1. Blending technology with human-centered design – I love how design makes emerging technology more intuitive, accessible, and meaningful.

2. Endless learning and innovation – The industry is constantly evolving, which keeps me engaged and excited to push creative boundaries.

3. Impact on everyday experiences – Seeing how thoughtful design can improve people’s interactions with products and services is incredibly rewarding.

Nanwei Cai: I view my growth as an iterative process—just like a prototype, I test, refine, and improve. I remind myself not to fear asking questions or seeking feedback, and I often find that people are more willing to help than I expect.

Adaptability is just as crucial; learning new skills and exploring new technologies keep me evolving. I see every challenge as an opportunity for growth rather than a roadblock, embracing change as a natural part of the process.

Chuoer Liang: For me, the key to success lies in curiosity, resilience, and a user-first mindset. Stay open to learning, embrace feedback and iteration, and don’t be afraid to take risks. Innovation happens when you push beyond your comfort zone.

Xinyi Ye: I always remind myself to have a grit mindset, focusing on determination, resilience, and tenacity. As a product designer, staying committed and pushing through challenges is essential, and we must constantly learn new technologies and tools to stay ahead.

Jiaxi Yang: Staying true to what matters: understanding users, trusting my gut, and never shying away from experimentation. I focus on the fundamentals, keep learning, and welcome feedback. My parting word of wisdom would be to stay authentic, be curious, and remember that even small, well-thought-out ideas can lead to big changes.

Chenxi Liu: For me, collaboration is at the heart of success. No problem is unsolvable when you have the right team, diverse perspectives, and a shared willingness to iterate and improve. I’ve learned that great design doesn’t happen in isolation, it thrives in open discussions, feedback loops, and the ability to build on each other’s ideas. My advice? Stay curious, ask for help when you need it, and embrace the process of learning together.