We recently connected with Meng Lan and have shared our conversation below.
Meng, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I studied graphic design with a focus on printed media during my college years. It was a hobby of mine, as I found it natural to express my ideas through images. After graduating, I began working as an art designer at a small design studio. This job introduced me to a diverse range of clients and projects, providing me with invaluable experience. During this period, I noticed the increasing prevalence of digital media, prompting me to gradually shift my design focus from traditional print to digital screens. My role also involved significant client communication, which taught me the importance of adopting a customer-centric approach. Understanding clients’ needs from this perspective made it easier for me to create designs that effectively addressed their issues. Consequently, I pursued a master’s degree in interaction and user experience design, aiming to better serve clients and develop products that meet their needs effectively.
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 am a UI/UX Designer with a knack for crafting original and innovative solutions to visual, graphic, and product design challenges. My goal is to create impactful and unique design experiences for products that address users’ real-life issues. A prime example of my work is the “Way to Drive” app, which earned the 2023 VEGA Digital Awards in silver. Designed to assist tourists with local traffic regulations while driving in unfamiliar countries, it addresses the common confusion caused by language barriers, cultural differences, and the challenge of learning local traffic rules during short stays. This confusion can easily lead to accidents or fines.
“Way to Drive” offers a suite of features including a dynamic route planner, road sign image recognition, community traffic rule alerts, and language translation options catering to non-native English speakers. The route planner enables users to familiarize themselves with traffic regulations before or during their travels. Its advanced image recognition technology deciphers complex road signs, while the alert system helps users avoid infractions. Feedback from friends and colleagues in Southeast Asia and South America, who expressed a need for such an application when driving in Los Angeles, underscored the app’s value. Their input affirmed my belief that my design skills can significantly impact and improve people’s lives.
I am thrilled that my contributions to digital interface design have been recognized, underscoring my dedication to crafting meaningful and distinctive design experiences.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I’d choose empathy, effective communication, and curiosity.
When interacting with clients, the essence of UX/UI design lies in understanding and empathizing with the needs, motivations, and challenges of end-users. It’s crucial to listen patiently, put yourself in the users’ shoes, and grasp their perspectives—considering what they truly need and aim to achieve with our designs. This clarity not only smooths out the process but also enables designers to deliver solutions that truly resonate.
Effective communication is vital for a designer, not just with users but also within your team. Utilizing various tools to maintain clear communication with stakeholders, developers, and team members ensures everyone is aligned. Moreover, being receptive to feedback and integrating it into your designs is essential for ongoing refinement. The diverse skills and ideas within a team lead to constructive feedback that enriches the design work.
Maintain your curiosity to fuel your creativity. The UX/UI design landscape is always changing, introducing new tools and methodologies. Keeping a pen and paper handy for jotting down ideas and sketching designs can stimulate continuous thought flow, often leading to breakthrough moments in your work.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I hit a creative block or I’m unsure of my next steps, I find it incredibly helpful to step out and sit somewhere busy, like a local bookstore, coffee shop, or any bustling public space. Just grabbing a seat and observing the people passing by can be surprisingly refreshing. Life unfolds in unique ways for everyone at any given moment, and witnessing these varied moments can spark new ideas in me and provide a much-needed break for my brain. For instance, if I’m stuck on a project that requires a creative solution, watching the world go by not only helps me think of new approaches to tackle the problem but also allows me to refine and enhance the work I’ve already done.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lanmengdesign.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlan14/
- Other: Dribbble: https://dribbble.com/mlan14
Image Credits
Meng Lan
