Jiahui: My name is Jiahui, and I’m a UX Designer with four years of experience. I love exploring different industries, and I’ve worked on projects ranging from healthcare and education to back-end management, live streaming, and e-commerce. Tackling diverse fields allows me to understand varied user needs and motivations.

I’m passionate about observing the details around me and delving into the “why” behind them—like why ketchup bottles are designed with caps on the bottom or why ticket stubs are necessary on public transport. This curiosity drives me to approach design from a critical, inquisitive perspective, always looking for deeper insights that enhance the user experience.

Yixuan: From the moment I could hold a crayon, the world around me transformed into a vibrant canvas. As a child, every wall in our home bore witness to my early experiments with color and form.

My parents often found that each corner of our house became a silent testimony to moments of inspiration and emotion, capturing my unbounded creativity. This early love affair with beauty was a profound expression of my inner world.

As I matured, my curiosity naturally evolved toward understanding human behavior and emotions. This led me to pursue an undergraduate degree in psychology, seeking to decode the intricacies of the human mind. During one of my lectures, a professor mentioned, “Design is not just an exhibition of art, but a practice of psychology.” This statement resonated deeply with me, igniting a passion to blend the art of design with the science of psychology.

My journey into User Experience (UX) Design began serendipitously during my junior year of college when I attended a lecture on the impact of design on user behavior. The idea that design could profoundly influence how people interact with technology struck a chord with me. It felt as if all my interests had converged into a single, clear path—creating designs that not only look beautiful but also resonate emotionally with users.

This epiphany led me to Cornell University for a Master’s degree in Information Science, specializing in UX. There, I immersed myself in design theories and practical skills while engaging in projects that bridged technology and human needs.

One notable project involved developing an augmented reality app to aid children in learning math—an endeavor that not only validated my design approach but also garnered multiple accolades, fueling my passion further.

Now, as a User Experience Designer at Google, I'm driven by the challenge of integrating psychological insights into my designs daily. My aim is to craft experiences that are not just visually appealing and functional, but also profoundly impactful—making a real difference in users’ lives.

In the future, I aspire to push the boundaries of design and psychology even further. My dream is to establish a design studio dedicated to fostering the next generation of designers, sharing my passion for creating meaningful and emotionally engaging user experiences. Through this, I hope to inspire a new wave of creative thinkers who appreciate the delicate interplay between aesthetics and the human psyche.

Jiahui: I chose to become a UX designer because I’m passionate about connecting with people through thoughtful design and addressing real-world issues. With a natural curiosity about the world, I’m drawn to the challenge of understanding users on a deeper level and finding creative solutions that truly resonate with their needs.

I’ve always believed that design is a powerful tool to simplify complex problems and improve lives in meaningful ways. The opportunity to work across various fields and explore diverse perspectives keeps me motivated, as each project lets me question assumptions, learn, and create tangible impact that contributes to a better world.

Yixuan: Ever since I was a child, I've been utterly captivated by the magical world of cartoons and comic books. They weren't just stories or drawings to me—they were windows into a universe where anything was possible, where colors spoke louder than words, and where the underdog could always save the day.

I spent countless hours sketching my favorite characters and inventing my own, trying to capture their heroic feats and hilarious escapades on paper. These early artistic adventures were my first steps into the realm of design and art.

One particular afternoon stands out in my memory: I was about eight years old, sitting on the floor of my room surrounded by crayons, and I had just finished a drawing of my dog as a superhero—complete with a cape and flying goggles. My mom came in, saw the drawing, and laughed in sheer delight. She asked if she could hang it on the fridge for all to see.

That moment of shared joy, that simple act of hanging my art on the fridge, ignited something in me—a desire not just to create but to connect with others through my creations.

As I grew older, this desire only deepened. I started to see art and design not just as a way to express myself, but as a powerful tool for communication, a way to bring smiles, provoke thought, and even inspire action. The decision to become a designer was a natural progression for me; it felt like the calling that had been whispering to me through all those years of doodling and dreaming.

So, in a way, you could say that I chose to become a designer because of a superhero dog and a refrigerator door that served as my first gallery. It was there, in those playful sketches, that I found my passion for design—a passion to create work that touches hearts, sparks imagination, and brings a bit of magic into the everyday. And honestly, who wouldn't want to spend their life doing just that?

Jiahui: As a UX Designer at Advantage Solutions, I work on solving a range of practical, real-world challenges. My role involves addressing specific user needs and refining experiences to make our solutions as effective and accessible as possible.

Beyond my daily work, I’m deeply passionate about social issues and often look for ways that design can positively impact society. I believe that good design can help address complex social topics, from mental health to inclusivity, and my goal is to create solutions that not only solve problems but also contribute to a broader understanding and empathy for diverse user needs.

Yixuan: In my career as a user experience designer, I am responsible for leading design projects that ensure our solutions are both aesthetically pleasing and practical while optimizing the user experience.

Beyond my day-to-day work, I also serve as the design lead for my personal project, MindMender, a platform focused on mental health that combines advanced AI technology with deep user experience insights to provide innovative mental health support and solutions.

As the design lead, my role involves guiding our design team through every step from conceptualization to product realization. Our goal is to create an intuitive and engaging platform that allows users easy access to a variety of mental health tools.

This includes AI-driven psychological analyses, AI-assisted journaling tools, and a smart recommendation system that suggests the most suitable therapists and mental health programs based on specific user needs. Additionally, I collaborate closely with the technical team to ensure our design solutions integrate seamlessly into the existing technological architecture. By integrating with devices like the Apple Watch, we utilize biometric data to further personalize the user experience, providing more accurate mental health support.

Through the MindMender project, I am able to apply my design expertise to a truly meaningful area, driving innovation and accessibility in mental health services and helping more people maintain and enhance their mental well-being in an effective and affordable way. This project reflects my professional ethos and commitment to societal contribution, aiming to improve people's quality of life through the power of design.

One story that stands out involves a user who reached out to share how our mental health platform made a difference in their life. They were initially hesitant to seek help for personal struggles due to the stigma around mental health. However, the accessible and supportive design of our platform helped them feel comfortable exploring resources at their own pace.

Over time, they were able to use the tools provided to improve their mental well-being and build confidence to seek further support. Hearing how our project contributed to their journey towards better mental health has been incredibly rewarding for our team, reaffirming our commitment to creating stigma-free, user-centered solutions.

Our project was inspired by a desire to address the mental health challenges that many people face but often struggle to discuss openly. We noticed that in today’s high-pressure society, mental health resources are still limited, and the stigma around seeking help prevents many from taking the first step.

Our goal was to create a platform that feels safe, accessible, and free of judgment, allowing users to explore their mental well-being at their own pace. Through this project, we aim to convey the message that mental health is just as important as physical health and that everyone deserves support.

Ultimately, we hope to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage a more open, compassionate dialogue on this essential issue.

We incorporated a minimalist and calming design aesthetic to create a sense of safety and approachability for users. Our color choices focused on soothing, natural tones that evoke tranquility and encourage users to engage without feeling overwhelmed.

Additionally, we integrated interactive storytelling elements, allowing users to navigate through scenarios at their own pace. This approach not only personalizes the experience but also helps convey the message that mental health is a journey unique to each individual.

By focusing on subtle animations and intuitive navigation, we aimed to make the experience feel supportive, reducing the stigma and making users feel understood.

Our project aims to raise awareness by providing users with an accessible, stigma-free platform to explore their mental health. By making mental health resources approachable and engaging, we encourage users to take proactive steps in their well-being journey.

Through interactive tools and personalized content, we help users better understand their emotional needs and guide them towards healthier habits. Ultimately, by creating a space where users feel safe to reflect and seek support, our project promotes positive behavior change and contributes to improved mental health outcomes by empowering users to prioritize their mental well-being.

We incorporated a combination of visually calming colors and relatable messaging to create an inviting atmosphere that reduces the stigma around mental health. Our advertising materials feature real-life scenarios and empathetic language, designed to resonate emotionally with viewers and make the message feel personal and relevant.

Additionally, we used simple yet impactful visuals, such as minimalist icons and subtle animations, to communicate complex health concepts in a way that’s easy to understand. This approach not only captures attention but also encourages viewers to take the first step towards exploring mental health resources without feeling overwhelmed.

Thank you! Winning the 2024 TITAN Health Awards is an incredible honor for our team, as it not only acknowledges our hard work but also validates our ideas and abilities. This award reinforces our commitment to creating meaningful, user-centered designs, and it shows that our approach resonates within the industry.

This recognition motivates us to keep pushing boundaries, exploring innovative solutions, and making a positive impact on users' lives. For us, this award celebrates our shared dedication and reminds us of the value our work brings to the digital design field.

Our winning project focuses on mental health, an area we feel is critically important in today’s high-pressure society. Many people are forced to cope with stressful environments, yet mental health awareness and accessibility are often lacking, which can delay necessary support and treatment.

This has affected even our own friends and family, making the issue deeply personal. We chose to enter this project because it reflects our commitment to creating tools that can raise awareness and provide meaningful support. Winning this award for a project so close to us reaffirms our goal of positively impacting lives through digital design.

The biggest challenge with this project was finding the right balance between addressing sensitive mental health issues and creating a user experience that felt approachable and supportive. Many people understand the benefits of addressing mental health concerns, yet there remains a lingering sense of stigma that prevents them from seeking help.

This stigma around mental health treatment is not just a personal issue; it’s a broader social problem that we wanted to address in our design. We needed to create tools that would help users recognize and address their mental health needs in a way that felt safe and judgment-free.

Additionally, we faced the challenge of translating complex psychological insights into intuitive design elements, ensuring that our solution was both effective and easy to use. Through continuous user feedback and iteration, we worked hard to create an experience that could genuinely support users in a respectful, accessible, and de-stigmatizing way.

Winning has had a profound impact on our team, reinforcing our confidence in our design approach and our commitment to social issues like mental health. This recognition has not only validated our methods and creativity but also opened up more opportunities for collaboration and outreach.

It has encouraged us to continue innovating and to take on even more challenging projects that make a real difference. For us, this award serves as a milestone in our journey and a reminder that design can play a powerful role in addressing societal issues.

Firstly, the health industry stands out for its direct impact on people’s quality of life and well-being, making it uniquely purpose-driven compared to other sectors.

Secondly, health is constantly evolving due to medical advancements and innovations in technology, creating an environment where continuous learning is essential.

Lastly, the health industry has a strong ethical component—decisions aren’t just about profitability; they’re about improving lives, promoting accessibility, and ensuring patient safety. This combination of purpose, innovation, and ethical responsibility makes the health industry distinct and highly impactful.

Living in the United States is unique in the health industry due to its advanced research facilities, diverse population, and commitment to healthcare innovation. With world-renowned institutions and cutting-edge medical technology, the country leads in both preventative care and groundbreaking treatments. The diversity of the population also plays a significant role, as it drives inclusive research and treatment approaches that consider varied genetic, cultural, and socioeconomic factors.

Additionally, there is a strong focus on digital health solutions, making healthcare more accessible and personalized for a wide range of people.

We envision the digital industry continuing to evolve with a strong focus on personalization, mental health, and ethical technology use. In the next 5-10 years, advanced technologies like enhanced interactive forms, supercomputing, and brain-computer interfaces will likely become more prevalent, allowing for new and immersive user experiences.

We believe that as the industry advances, design will need to address important considerations around ethics, privacy, and transparency. This evolution toward more personalized, ethically aware, and technologically sophisticated designs will help shape a future that is both innovative and responsible.

AI and Automation Integration: AI and automation will continue to play a larger role in the design process. From tools that assist in rapid prototyping to AI-driven user research and data analysis, designers will have more powerful resources at their fingertips.

However, the human touch—creativity and empathy—will remain irreplaceable, meaning designers will need to balance AI's efficiency with emotional intelligence and storytelling.

We recommend starting with online courses on platforms like Coursera or Udemy to build a solid foundation in healthcare topics. Staying updated on health news and trends through websites like Healthline or WebMD is also helpful.

Additionally, joining LinkedIn health communities or groups can connect you with others in the industry, providing opportunities to learn from their experiences.

Finally, gaining hands-on experience, whether through volunteer work or shadowing professionals in healthcare settings, is a valuable way to see practical applications firsthand.

Jiahui: I’m deeply inspired by philosophers, especially Michel Foucault, whose work delves into human desires, needs, and societal structures. While design and philosophy may seem distant, I see them as fundamentally connected, both centered on understanding people.

Foucault’s insights into how human behavior is shaped by social forces have profoundly influenced my design approach. His philosophy reminds me that design isn’t just about aesthetics or usability—it’s about exploring the deeper motivations and desires that drive people. This perspective helps me look beyond surface-level needs and create experiences that resonate with users on a meaningful level.

Yixuan: My pet cat has a unique way of teaching me something important about UX design. Most of the time, she’s a picture of calm—lounging in the sun, totally content.

But then, out of nowhere, she’ll launch into sudden bursts of energy, sprinting through the house, leaping onto furniture, and darting around as if she’s on a mission. It’s chaotic and unpredictable, but that’s where I see an interesting lesson for UX design.

In UX, we often aim for consistency and predictability—users expect a smooth, reliable experience. But sometimes, those sudden bursts of creativity or unexpected moments are what truly engage users. Much like my cat’s unpredictable energy makes her more intriguing, adding small, surprising elements of delight in UX can turn a functional product into something memorable.

Think of the little animations, micro-interactions, or playful features that catch users off guard in a good way—those are the “crazy cat moments” in design that keep users engaged.

What I’ve also learned from my cat is the importance of balance. While those moments of delight are crucial, they need to be used sparingly. Just as my cat eventually returns to her calm, predictable state, UX design should primarily remain intuitive and easy to navigate, giving users a sense of control.

Too many surprises or bursts of creativity can overwhelm and frustrate users. So, just like with my cat, it’s about knowing when to inject that burst of energy to captivate users and when to return to simplicity and consistency to keep the experience smooth.

In short, my cat’s behavior has shown me that while consistency in UX is important, those well-timed moments of unexpected delight can elevate a design from good to unforgettable.

We’re inspired by those who see the world as full of questions. While solving problems is important, even more crucial is the ability to identify and question them. Innovators who consistently challenge assumptions and seek new perspectives motivate us to approach our work with curiosity and critical thinking. Their influence reminds us that the best designs come not just from answers, but from the questions we’re willing to ask.