The Moonu team consists of Xiaochen Shi, Yi Cui, and Yuan Wu, who bring together backgrounds in urban planning, creative problem-solving, and inclusive design to craft meaningful, human-centered experiences. They created Moonu, an app that transforms bedtime delays into steady progress for people with ADHD by combining clarity, empathy, and creativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1. Congratulations on winning the NY Product Design Awards! Can you introduce yourself and share about what inspired you to pursue design as a career?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Xiaochen: Thank you! I’m Xiaochen, a product designer with a background in urban planning and a passion for turning complex systems into simple, meaningful experiences. What inspired me to pursue design was realizing how much impact design has on the way people interact with the world\u2014both physically and digitally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In urban planning, I often found it hard to validate ideas until things were built, but product design gave me the agility to test, learn, and iterate quickly. That ability to connect with real users, solve real problems, and keep improving is what drew me in\u2014and it\u2019s what continues to excite me every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yi: I’m Yi, a product designer with a deep interest in how thoughtful design can quietly improve everyday life. What inspired me to pursue design was the realization that good design often goes unnoticed\u2014but it makes things feel easier, clearer, and more human.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ve always enjoyed solving problems in creative ways, and design became the space where I could bring that instinct to life\u2014through both visuals and interactions. Over time, it became not just a career, but a way to connect with people and make meaningful experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yuan: Hi, I\u2019m Yuan Wu, a product designer with a deep passion for creating inclusive, human-centered experiences. What inspired me to pursue design was the realization that thoughtful, intentional design can break down barriers and empower people\u2014especially those who are often overlooked by conventional systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For me, design goes beyond aesthetics; it\u2019s about creating solutions that reduce friction, amplify voices, build emotional trust, and improve everyday life through empathy. The ability to make a meaningful impact and contribute to positive change is what continuously drives me in my career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q2. What does being recognized in the NY Product Design Awards mean to you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This recognition is incredibly meaningful\u2014it\u2019s not just a celebration of design, but also of community, sustainability, and cultural identity. Choy started as a small idea rooted in shared memories of homegrown vegetables and the warmth of neighborhood ties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Being honored by the NY Product Design Awards validates the emotional and social values behind the project. It tells me that human-centered, culturally sensitive design has a place in shaping future cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Q2. What does being recognized in the NY Product Design Awards mean to you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Being recognized by the NY Product Design Awards means a great deal to us. It\u2019s both encouraging and reflective of our work. As designers, we spend so much time iterating, listening, and refining behind the scenes, and with only 8 images in the submission, we feared that our work might not speak for itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This recognition serves as a reassuring reminder that people do see the value in what we create, and that it can truly make a positive impact. It also reinforces our commitment to human-centered design and motivates us to continue building experiences that genuinely serve people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q3. How has this achievement impacted your career, team, or agency, and what opportunities has it brought so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The award has given our three-person team instant credibility. It raised awareness of Moonu, sparked interest from potential research partners and investors, and opened doors for conversations with companies that can help us scale. Inside the studio, the recognition boosted morale, clarified our roles, and enhanced our collaboration, allowing us to ship updates faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This achievement has not only validated our approach but also opened up new avenues for growth and collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q4. What role does experimentation play in your creative process? Can you share an example?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Experimentation is at the heart of our creative process. It\u2019s how we uncover intuitive, human-centered design solutions. Rather than adhering to a fixed formula, we embrace early-stage testing and exploration\u2014even if the ideas feel unconventional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, during the design of Moonu, an app for individuals with ADHD, we experimented with various onboarding flows and visual systems. One unexpected discovery was the effectiveness of playful, pattern-based animations to guide users. These animations helped reduce cognitive load and made the experience more engaging. Insights like this come from testing, observing, and iterating\u2014constantly refining our approach based on real feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q5. What’s the most unusual source of inspiration you’ve ever drawn from for a project?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n An unusual (and personal) source of inspiration came from our own experiences with the struggle to go to bed on time. We realized that many people face this challenge, often stuck in a late-night loop of scrolling, overthinking, or avoiding their bedtime routine altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This reflection led to the creation of an ADHD bedtime routine app. We wanted to design something that was gentle, encouraging, and structured\u2014something that we personally would have appreciated in those moments. This experience reminded us that the most meaningful design ideas often emerge from our own struggles and the everyday challenges we face quietly.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMoonu – Turning bedtime delays into steady progress for ADHD<\/a><\/h6>\n\n\n\n