Building Online Identities with Danting Li of SparksGlo

I am a graphic designer based in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a Master’s degree and nearly a decade of professional experience. My expertise spans graphic design, branding, UI/UX, typography, motion graphics, video editing, photography, and front-end coding—blending creativity with technical precision to deliver impactful visual experiences.

Currently, I am the co-founder and lead designer at SparksGlo, a creative agency offering comprehensive design solutions. There, I oversee the full design process for logos, branding systems, and websites across static, CMS, and e-commerce platforms. Our services also include 3D product visualization, animation, brand identity, illustration, SEO, design mentoring, and video production.

Earlier in my career, I worked with ZAM Network, contributing to large-scale branded campaigns for global gaming companies including PUBG Mobile, Trovo, Don’t Starve, Tencent, LPL, and Alchemy Stars. Across my journey, I’ve been driven by a passion for storytelling and innovation, creating designs that resonate with audiences while bridging artistry and strategy through cross-functional leadership.

I have always admired the MUSE Creative Awards for showcasing such a wide range of innovative and inspiring works from talented designers around the world. The creativity, design styles, and techniques I see in this platform motivated me to submit my own work, as I saw it as not only a competition but also an opportunity to connect with and learn from the global design community.

Winning two Gold awards for my project Venus Jewelry E-commerce Website Design—in the categories of “Website - Branding” and “Website - E-Commerce”—is truly meaningful to me. On a personal level, it brings me great joy and pride to have my work recognized alongside so many outstanding creatives worldwide.

Professionally, it serves as a strong affirmation of my design skills and career path, giving me greater confidence to continue exploring new ideas and pushing creative boundaries. This recognition is a powerful motivation to keep creating meaningful designs that I can share with the global MUSE Awards community.

The success of this project stemmed from a deep understanding of Venus Jewelry’s brand identity combined with thorough market research and competitor analysis. The client wanted the brand to embody grace, sophistication, and the essence of self-expression. My role was to ensure that both the branding and website design conveyed these qualities in a consistent and cohesive way.

During the creative process, the client shared her admiration for the elegance of Van Cleef & Arpels, the functionality of Blue Nile and Rare Carat, and the clear hierarchy of information seen in Tiffany, Graff, and Cartier. To address this, I conducted extensive research into these brands and collaborated closely with the client through multiple rounds of discussions, refining the design direction until we achieved the right balance of elegance and usability.

The final design for Venus Jewelry reflects the lifestyle and attitudes of women in their 20s and 30s on the U.S. West Coast—modern, confident, and expressive. At the same time, it demonstrates how a boutique jewelry brand can set new standards in digital design by blending emotional storytelling with functional clarity. The website not only highlights the most captivating aspects of the jewelry but also presents information in a clear, intuitive hierarchy, ensuring users feel both the consistency of the brand and the joy of browsing.

I believe what set this project apart in such a competitive field was the balance between distinctiveness and emotional resonance. For a brand to truly stand out, it needs to capture attention instantly while also expressing its core spirit in a way that audiences can connect with and remember. My approach for Venus Jewelry was to create a design language that was both visually striking and deeply aligned with the brand’s identity.

One key strategy was the homepage slider. I designed it to feature a hero 3D product visualization video followed by two carefully crafted images, all highlighting the brand’s signature jewelry pieces in imaginative, luxurious settings. This immersive visual storytelling not only drew users’ attention immediately but also encouraged them to explore further, whether through quick entries into the shop or by browsing categories as they scrolled.

The logo design also played a crucial role in setting the brand apart. Inspired by the form of a diamond-shaped pendant star, it symbolizes hope, feminine strength, and the elegance of fine silver and diamond jewelry. Much like the simplicity seen in iconic brands such as Tiffany & Co. or Van Cleef & Arpels, the logo uses a clean and timeless visual style to communicate Venus Jewelry’s essence. This minimalist yet powerful design ensures that the brand appeals to customers who resonate with its spirit and aspire to its lifestyle.

One of the biggest challenges in designing the website was finding a way to integrate numerous features within the limited space of each page and the navigation bar. To overcome this, I created multiple wireframes and iterated through different layouts, working closely with the client to refine the structure until I achieved both functionality and clarity. This process ensured that the user experience remained smooth while still showcasing all of the brand’s key offerings.

For the brand design, the most significant challenge was selecting the primary and accent colors, as this choice would define the overall mood and emotional resonance of the brand. I spent considerable time experimenting with different combinations and evaluating how each aligned with the client’s vision and brand personality.

Through this exploration and continuous dialogue with the client, I arrived at a color palette that not only captured the brand’s elegance but also set the right tone for its identity.

Winning this award is a tremendous affirmation for me personally. It reinforces my understanding of what exceptional brand and website design can achieve, and it serves as a benchmark to guide me in creating more high-quality, impactful work in the future. For my agency, this recognition elevates our presence on a larger stage, showcasing to the world that we have the capability to deliver refined, innovative e-commerce and brand design solutions.

I’ve already noticed the positive effects of this achievement—my work has gained greater exposure, and I’ve received more inquiries about similar projects. This not only excites me but also motivates me to continue pushing creative boundaries, strengthening my career while helping SparksGlo expand its reputation and influence within the industry.

The client was overjoyed with the recognition, as it validated their branding and website design on such a prestigious, internationally respected platform. They were especially proud to see their brand showcased to a wider audience, knowing it could attract more potential customers and share their story with the world.

From the audience’s perspective, the feedback has been equally encouraging. Many have expressed how enjoyable it is to browse through such a visually appealing and thoughtfully designed website. The design not only elevated their shopping experience but also enhanced their appreciation of the jewelry itself—encouraging them to spend more time exploring the brand and, ultimately, increasing their interest in making purchases. This positive response has been a truly memorable outcome of the project.

My advice is to always stay curious, adaptable, and open-minded. Keep a sharp eye on emerging design trends, but also develop your own voice so your work feels both relevant and original. Be humble enough to listen to feedback from peers across different disciplines, as diverse perspectives often spark stronger ideas.

Equally important is adaptability—projects will always involve changing client needs, shifting business goals, and technical constraints, so being flexible while staying true to the design vision is key. I also recommend conducting thorough research at the very beginning, including studying competitors, to build a strong foundation for your design strategy.

From there, continue refining and sharpening the work until it not only meets expectations but also exceeds them. Ultimately, persistence, thoughtful planning, and the willingness to push creative boundaries are what turn good projects into award-worthy ones.

I see the evolution of the creative industry as an exciting opportunity to continually push boundaries and explore new possibilities. Looking ahead, I hope to position myself as a leading figure in both graphic and website design, creating work that is not only visually striking but also meaningful and impactful.

In website design, I am especially drawn to exploring advanced effects and diverse formats—ranging from e-commerce to brochure sites, event platforms, and business websites. My goal is to craft immersive digital experiences that captivate audiences while staying functional and user-friendly.

On the graphic design side, I am passionate about Symbolic Abstract Art, pixel art, and abstract expressionism infused with social commentary. I want to continue developing in this direction, creating works that carry both cultural and social impact. Ultimately, I aspire to contribute to the creative industry with designs that inspire, provoke thought, and resonate on a deeper level.

My advice would be to trust yourself and your creativity. Put your best effort into making the work as strong as it can be, and then have the courage to submit it—you never know how far it can go until you try. A great piece of work deserves recognition, and sometimes others will see strengths and originality in your design that you may not fully recognize yourself.

Don’t underestimate your talent just because you’re early in your journey. Every designer starts somewhere, and competitions are not only about winning but also about growth—exposure to new perspectives, feedback, and inspiration from others in the industry. By participating, you build confidence, gain visibility, and take an important step toward shaping your creative voice.

To all my fellow creatives, marketers, and advertising professionals — I think the real magic happens when we connect and share with each other. Great ideas don’t exist in isolation; they often come from those sparks in conversation, collaboration, and even casual exchanges. The more we communicate, learn, and inspire one another, the stronger our industry becomes.

Let’s keep building a community where creativity can grow and where we push each other to reach new heights.

I would like to dedicate this achievement to my client, Cynthia. Throughout the brand and website design process for Venus Jewelry, we had countless conversations where she provided vital feedback and clear direction. Those discussions often sparked new design solutions and helped shape the project into what it became. Her openness, collaboration, and trust made this success possible, and I’m truly grateful for that partnership.

Looking ahead, I have several exciting projects in the pipeline. I’m planning to develop a digital magazine and its associated branding, focusing on topics such as the potential harms of AI and conservation efforts for pandas, aiming to raise public awareness through design. I’m also finalizing a personal website template for real estate agents, targeting the U.S. market, which I plan to launch soon.

In addition, I will continue exploring a variety of website projects—from e-commerce and brochure sites to event platforms and business websites—pushing creative boundaries in digital design. Beyond web design, I’m committed to creating more graphic works in Symbolic Abstract Art, pixel art, and abstract expressionism with social commentary, using my art to engage audiences emotionally and provoke thought on pressing societal issues.