Meet Junru Xu

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Junru Xu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Junru, so great to have you on the platform. There’s so much we want to ask you, but let’s start with the topic of self-care. Do you do anything for self-care and if so, do you think it’s had a meaningful impact on your effectiveness? 

As a UX designer with interests in food, travel, and swimming, I might incorporate my passions into my self-care routine and strategies for effectiveness through several tailored activities:
Regular Breaks for Swimming: I can incorporate regular swimming sessions into my schedule as a form of physical exercise, which is not only good for my health but also a great way to clear my mind and reduce stress. Culinary Experiences: I explore new cuisines and cooking techniques as a way to connect my love of food with my creative work. This helps in stimulating my senses and might inspire creativity in my design projects. Travel for Inspiration: I use travel as a tool to gain new perspectives and inspiration. This could be as simple as day trips to nearby towns or more extended travels to new countries. Experiencing different cultures and environments can significantly enhance my creativity and provide fresh ideas that can be translated into my UX design work. Mindfulness and Meditation: I engage in mindfulness exercises, possibly before or after swimming. Mindfulness can enhance concentration and focus, which are crucial for a UX designer. Learning and Development: I continuously seek to learn more about the latest UX design trends, tools, and methodologies. This might include online courses, workshops, or webinars. Keeping my skills sharp can contribute significantly to my effectiveness at work. Networking and Community Engagement: I connect with other designers and creatives who share my interests in food, travel, and swimming. This can lead to new ideas, projects, and collaborations, enhancing both my personal and professional life. Schedule and Routine: I develop a routine that balances work and personal life, ensuring I allocate time for my hobbies and interests, which are essential for maintaining my mental health and boosting my productivity. By aligning my self-care strategies with my interests, I not only nurture my well-being but also enhance my creativity and effectiveness as an artist.

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 stand out as an exceptional award-winning interactive design lead, artist, and entrepreneur based in the Seattle area.
After graduating from Columbia University, I focus on remarkable interactive design initiatives. My pioneering efforts in spearheading Project ‘Hear Me’ and Project ‘YOYO,’ both dedicated to fostering social impact, have garnered prestigious accolades including

Currently serving as a Senior Product Designer at DIRECTV in Seattle, I spearhead a variety of pioneering projects that cater to over 11.3 million users across the United States. My foundational role at Cayaba Care as the lead designer for the patient app project has significantly contributed to bridging the maternal health gap for over 60,000 U.S. women facing severe maternal morbidity by guiding the project from inception to fruition.
As a co-founder of HMW Design Studio, I am passionately committed to harnessing creativity for the greater good, pushing the boundaries of design innovation to tackle pressing societal issues with a forward-looking perspective. https://www.hmwdesign.studio/
With an architecture background, as the co-founder and CEO of TA Design Studio, I provide unparalleled mentorship for aspiring UX designers and architectural designers, inspiring and supporting them to enhance both their creative and technical skills. My consultancy educations and mentorships are aimed at helping individuals craft outstanding UX and architecture portfolios, leading to students securing higher professional design standards. https://ta-design-studio.webflow.io/
As a featured juror member for the Orpetron Web Design Awards, I diligently review and provide constructive comments daily, aiming to deliver comprehensive evaluations for website designs from around the globe. As a jury member for the American Business Awards, I analyzed and critiqued 56 live event designs, offering detailed feedback to enhance their impact.

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? 

Reflecting on my journey, I believe the three qualities that have been most impactful are:
Do What You Like: Pursuing what genuinely interests and excites me has been crucial. It has fueled my passion and driven me to innovate and excel in UX design. By focusing on areas that I am passionate about, such as social impact projects and human-centered design, I’ve been able to stay motivated and engaged, which has significantly contributed to my professional fulfillment and success.

Do Not Regret: Embracing every experience as an opportunity for growth has allowed me to take risks and learn from both successes and failures. This mindset has been instrumental in my development as a designer and leader. It encouraged me to experiment boldly and push the boundaries of what is possible in design, leading to breakthroughs that might not have been achieved had I feared potential regrets.

Never Give Up: Persistence has been a key driver in my career, especially when faced with challenging projects or when leading complex initiatives that require navigating through uncertainty. This quality has helped me to overcome obstacles and persist through setbacks, ensuring that projects reach fruition and achieve their intended impact, such as the patient app for Cayaba Care, which was a challenging yet profoundly rewarding project to lead. These qualities have interplayed throughout my career to shape a resilient and innovative approach to design, allowing me to make a significant impact in the field and mentor the next generation of designers.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with? 

I am currently seeking to collaborate with application developers and AI experts who share a passion for creating impactful and innovative solutions. My current projects include developing an AI-based sign language interpreter application and a women-focused dating app that prioritizes the protection of women’s rights and supports women.
Application Developers: I am looking for skilled developers proficient in mobile and web application development. The ideal collaborators would have experience in scalable platforms, as well as a keen interest in accessibility technologies or social applications that drive meaningful change.

AI Experts: I need AI specialists who are experienced in machine learning and natural language processing, particularly those who have worked on AI-driven communication tools. Experience in gesture recognition technology would be especially valuable for the sign language interpreter project.

For those interested in collaborating, you can connect with me by reaching out via my professional networking profiles or through my website. I am excited about the potential to work together on these innovative projects that aim to make a significant difference in their respective fields.

Contact Info:

Website: https://www.junruxu.com/
Instagram: Junru_Xu
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/junru-xu666/
Other: HMW Design Studio: https://www.hmwdesign.studio/
TA design studio: https://ta-design-studio.webflow.io/

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