We were lucky to catch up with Ennis Zhuang recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ennis, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
My optimism mainly comes from my own capabilities. I’ve had a deep passion for design since middle school, starting from basic drawing and continuing to pursue the field with dedication. That passion has never changed. Even though the design industry can be unpredictable, I stay positive because I have confidence in my design skills and the value I can bring through my work.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Right now, what I care about most is whether my designs are actually being used and felt by users. As a product designer, my purpose is to contribute to the product in a meaningful way. Users may never know the designer behind the experience, but the data reflects the impact of our work and that is what excites me. When we improve a flow or interaction so that users can achieve their goals faster and with less effort, it makes me really happy. Even if my work is invisible, I know that I have spent my time designing in a way that saves thousands of users their time, and that makes this role feel truly special.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I believe the three most important things are passion, goals, and an understanding of design.
First is passion. A genuine love for the industry is essential. I feel fortunate that I discovered my interest in design as early as middle school and knew this was the field I wanted to dedicate my life to. Some people may pursue a career only for money, even if they dislike the work, but for a designer this mindset is not sustainable. Many people see product design as a well-paying role and join for that reason, but without true passion, the foundation is not solid.
Second is having goals. In the long term, it is about knowing what kind of designer you want to become in this field. In the short term, it is about doing your current work to the best of your ability, creating impact, and finding personal satisfaction. I think both levels of goals are crucial.
Third is an understanding of design. This kind of understanding is deeply personal and cannot be copied by others. For example, in a design, you may notice details that no one else would see, but those details are what create the best result. That personal interpretation is what makes your work uniquely impactful.
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
This is a very interesting question. I think design has been a big part of my life, but if I knew I only had a decade left, I would spend more time focusing on life itself and on the people I love. Maybe I would travel, explore the beauty of the world, and create broader designs inspired by those experiences. Or maybe I would return home, share meals with family and friends, and treasure those warm moments. I would dedicate more of my time to experiencing the world in a way that leaves no regrets. My life now is built around design, but if I only had ten years, I would build my life around the world and my experiences, and then let design flow from there.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ennisz.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/qiaozhi-zhuang-aa3395259/
- Twitter: @ennis_zhuang
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