Yichen Wang, a designer with an MFA in Communications Design from Pratt Institute, blends academic research with empathetic design principles, focusing on human connections in the digital age. Wang prioritizes users’ emotional and social needs in their design approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1. Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your creative background.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I am Yichen Wang, a designer whose academic research in the design field intersects with my commitment to empathetic design principles, focusing on the exploration of human connections in our fast-paced, digitally-driven world. My MFA in Communications Design from Pratt Institute has been instrumental in shaping my design approach, where I prioritize the emotional and social needs of users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My philosophy is nestled at the very core of ‘O’friends,’ a mobile application developed to assist young adults in maintaining lasting friendships despite the distance and changing life circumstances. ‘O’friends’ reflects my belief in design’s power to appeal aesthetically and address complex emotional aspects of human relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The genesis of ‘O’friends’ stems from observing how technology, while connecting us in many ways, can also enhance feelings of isolation. The app is my response to this modern dilemma, providing a platform for young adults to nurture their friendships, encouraging emotional connections through an intuitive and thoughtful design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My journey as a designer revolves around creating meaningful digital experiences that transcend the boundaries of the screen, touching lives and fostering authentic human connections. Whether through academic research or projects like ‘O’friends,’ my goal is to enhance the human experience in the digital age by crafting designs that understand and value the intricacies of human emotions and connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q2. What made you become\/why did you choose to become a creative?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I believe that creativity chose me rather than the other way around. From a young age, I have been endowed with a rich imagination and keen insight. This natural disposition has always drawn me towards creation and discovery. The joy I find in the act of creating is immense, and it seemed only natural to pursue a path where I could spend my life doing what brings me happiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For me, being creative is not just a job; it’s a way of contributing to a field that has the power to enrich lives and offer new perspectives. My aim has always been to delve deeper into this realm, to understand it better, and to make meaningful contributions that others can benefit from. I want to inspire and be inspired, believing that creativity is not just an individual pursuit but a collective journey where everyone can benefit from the beauty and innovation it brings to our world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q3. Tell us more about your business\/company, job profile and what you do.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I consider myself a multidisciplinary designer, constantly striving to view and approach design from various angles. This pursuit stems from my intrinsic nature as a person rich in imagination and insight. My educational background, which combines a sensitive approach with logical thinking, laid the foundation for my design philosophy. The book ‘Design for the Real World’ by Victor Papanek, which I encountered at IDEO, opened my eyes to the immense impact of applying different thought processes to the same problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In my career, I’ve been guided by the universal design principle of making the world a better place through our work. Starting as an industrial designer, I explored the relationship between people and objects, at a time when the concept of digital user experience was still nascent. My fascination with human interaction with various mediums led me to delve deeper into this field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Influenced by Japanese design philosophies like ‘less is more’ and ‘unobtrusive design,’ which aims to create inclusive designs catering to a broader range of users, I developed a keen interest in identifying and addressing the needs of the often overlooked 20%. Solving these design challenges, akin to solving complex mathematical problems, brought me immense satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With the proliferation of smartphones, the focus of human-machine interaction shifted predominantly to digital interfaces, and I pivoted towards UX design. Pursuing interdisciplinary collaboration, I was thrilled by the diversity of perspectives from people of different backgrounds working on common problems. However, my in-depth study of the relationship between technology and people also revealed its exploitative potential, as seen in the dystopian visions of cyberpunk culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite my pessimistic view that the widespread use of technology and its associated unhappiness is irreversible, I am determined to find ways through design where people can still find happiness with technology. This led to the creation of ‘O’friends’ during the pandemic, an app designed to combat loneliness and isolation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This year, witnessing the disruptive growth of AI has been a remarkable experience. As a creator, I’m excited about the powerful new tools at my disposal, which have significantly enhanced my capabilities. In my current role, which involves AI, I remain committed to approaching my work from a human-centric perspective, focusing on users and the human element in technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q4. What does creativity mean to you? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To me, creativity means transforming the mundane into the extraordinary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q5. To you, what makes a ‘creative’ idea and\/or design?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For me, a ‘creative’ idea or design emanates from the ability to redefine and deconstruct a problem before reconstructing it with a fresh perspective. The essence of creativity lies in approaching the same problem through different lenses. As an industrial designer, my analytical approach, aspects of the problem I focus on, and pathways to solutions differ significantly from when I approach it as an interaction designer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Moreover, I pay close attention to how professionals in other creative fields define and understand the same problem. What are their focal points? How do they initiate their process and what actions do they take, and what results do they achieve? Observing these varied approaches and outcomes is incredibly fascinating and enlightening to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n O’friends is a mobile app designed to help young adults maintain meaningful, long-lasting friendships despite the \u2026 “Tracing” is a typography design project created specifically for the packaging of tracing paper. The aim is to go beyond \u2026
(Read more at MUSE Creative Awards<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(Read more at MUSE Creative Awards<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n