Meet Qihang Fan

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Qihang Fan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Qihang below.

Hi Qihang, thank you so much for joining us today. There are so many topics we could discuss, but perhaps one of the most relevant is empathy because it’s at the core of great leadership and so we’d love to hear about how you developed your empathy?

Empathy is essential when designing emerging technology applications because users often encounter unexpected roadblocks and mishaps. To create products that are usable, equitable, enjoyable, and accessible, a user experience designer must understand the user’s feelings and thoughts in various scenarios.

In my design process, I prioritize empathy and accessibility. I recognize that disability is a common part of life – whether temporary, situational, or permanent. For example, someone carrying heavy bags after shopping may find themselves temporarily disabled when trying to use a mobile application with one hand. This scenario mirrors the challenges faced by someone with a permanent disability. Designing with permanent disability in mind can, therefore, benefit everyone, which is known as the curb-cut effect.

By empathizing with users during the design process and actively collecting their feedback and thoughts during usability studies, I ensure that my designs are inclusive and meet the diverse needs of all users.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m a product designer at Arthrex, where I specialize in developing augmented reality applications for orthopedic surgery. My mission at Arthrex is to enhance the surgical experience for surgeons and improve patient outcomes through the innovative use of emerging technologies.

In addition to my work at Arthrex, I am also an independent designer and developer. I strongly advocate for inclusive design and strive to make emerging technologies and experiences accessible to everyone, ensuring that a broad audience can utilize them.

One of my independent projects is Four Typologies, an open-sourced interactive digital media website that empowers users to engage with spatial immersive experiences directly from their mobile devices. Through nuanced interactions and dynamic textures, this platform makes architectural designs more tangible, interactive, and accessible to a wider audience. I believe in the importance of sharing the knowledge I acquire and the experiences I create, particularly with those who may not have access to advanced equipment or are unfamiliar with complex interactions.

Through my work, both collaboratively and independently, I am committed to fulfilling my lifelong mission of making a significant impact by pushing the boundaries of emerging technology. My goal is to ensure that the experiences I create are intuitive, accessible, and beneficial to all.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Three qualities have impacted my journey significantly: inexhaustible curiosity, the ability to think beyond the niche, and persistence.

Curiosity drives me to continuously explore and learn new skills across a wide range of disciplines. Throughout my design journey, I’ve accumulated expertise in user experience design, human ergonomics, scripting, parametric design, 3D production, and more. This diverse toolkit has allowed me to expand my design spectrum, eventually leading me to product design for emerging technologies.

The ability to think beyond the niche has been crucial in realizing the potential of my design skills beyond the architecture industry. During my master’s education, I set a career goal to design products integrated with cutting-edge technology. Achieving this goal required a mindset that saw possibilities beyond the conventional applications of my skills.
Finally, persistence has been critical to my success. Dedication and perseverance have allowed me to push through challenges and stay committed to my vision, ultimately realizing my goals.

For those early in their journey, I advise nurturing your curiosity by constantly seeking new knowledge and experiences. Cultivate the habit of thinking outside your immediate field to uncover new opportunities. Most importantly, remain persistent in your efforts—success often comes to those who stay dedicated to their goals despite obstacles.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

Over the past year, my most significant growth has been accumulating domain knowledge beyond my design skills. After joining Arthrex, I gained exposure to projects related to surgery and healthcare, which allowed me to delve into the intricacies of medical application design. I learned how to build medical applications from the ground up and how to design according to FDA criteria. This process requires a thorough understanding of medical principles and a detailed workflow to empathize with users and anticipate their challenges. This professional experience has been invaluable in paving my path forward in the healthcare industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.qihangfan.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fqhang/