We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yasong Wang a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Yasong, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
In my career journey, transitioning from a visual designer to a UX/UI designer was a transformative experience. Initially, my focus was primarily on the presentation layer, crafting visually appealing user interfaces. However, as I delved deeper into this field, I began to recognize the significance of truly understanding users’ needs and their pain points. This realization shifted my approach from purely aesthetic concerns to a more holistic perspective, centered around empathy and user research. As I engaged more with user feedback and observed how design decisions impacted real people, I found my purpose in creating meaningful, user-centered experiences. This commitment to solving users’ problems and improving their interactions with digital products has since become the driving force behind my work.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Hi, I’m Yasong Wang, a UX/UI designer specializing in designing both enterprise and consumer-end products while balancing user needs with business goals. One of my most exciting recent projects is AI AD Manager, which was recently honored with the prestigious iF Designer Award 2024. As the lead UX/UI designer for AI AD Manager, I dedicated myself to understanding the complex needs and challenges faced by advertisers. My work goes beyond creating sleek interfaces; it involves delving deep into the daily operations of advertisers to uncover their pain points. This empathetic approach has enabled us to craft solutions that truly resonate with their needs and aspirations.
Additionally, I’m thrilled to share that another project of mine, Team Streaming, was recognized as a gold winner at the Muse Design Award. Team Streaming is an intelligent and convenient communication platform that connects established and emerging streamers, infusing vibrancy into the content creation process and drawing in more viewers. Through these projects, my aim is to continue pushing boundaries and creating impactful, user-centered experiences.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
As a UX/UI Designer, the most impactful qualities in my journey have been strong problem-solving skills, a deep understanding of user-centered design, and the ability to balance user needs with business goals. Problem-solving enables me to approach challenges creatively, developing thoughtful and effective solutions. Prioritizing user-centered design ensures that my work truly addresses the needs and expectations of the users, leading to more satisfying and impactful experiences. Balancing user needs with business goals is crucial, as it allows me to create designs that not only delight users but also contribute positively to the organization’s objectives. For those early in their journey, I recommend immersing yourself in user research to deeply understand your audience, practicing critical thinking and creative problem-solving in every project, and always considering how your design decisions align with both user satisfaction and business outcomes.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
“Lean UX” by Jeff Gothelf and Josh Seiden has played a significant role in my development as a UX/UI Designer. The book emphasizes a collaborative, iterative approach to design, which aligns closely with agile methodologies and promotes efficient and effective problem-solving. A few impactful nuggets of wisdom from the book include the importance of focusing on outcomes rather than outputs, working in cross-functional teams to gain diverse perspectives, and the value of continuous learning through experimentation and user feedback. These principles have helped me adopt a flexible mindset, prioritize user needs, and work more closely with other stakeholders to achieve better overall design results.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aiadmanager.org/
