We recently connected with Xinyue Wu and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Xinyue, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
I believe the essence of life lies in experiences, even those that are difficult or painful, as they contribute to our progress. An event from my childhood profoundly shaped this belief. Once, I was technically unqualified for a competition, but due to a misunderstanding of the rules by my teacher, I was brought along anyway. When my mother explained the situation to the judges with honesty, one judge was so moved that they offered their own judge’s badge to serve as my entry pass. Against all odds, I won the award, becoming the youngest winner in the venue. This experience taught me an invaluable lesson: “rules” can be transcended with determination and effort. If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.
Now, as an entrepreneur and a product designer, I infuse this philosophy of breaking the mold and seeking new experiences into my products. I see resilience not just as bouncing back from failure but as a proactive pursuit of innovation, driven by the belief that every experience, whether good or bad, is a step forward. This mindset has been my compass, guiding me through the challenges of entrepreneurship and design, and reminding me that the true measure of success is not in adhering to conventions, but in how we leverage our experiences to break new ground and inspire change.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I‘m the founder and the product designer of XinyueDesign, a brand at the forefront of emotional design. Our core mission is to craft products that not only spark creativity and new experiences but also tap into people’s innate healing energies. In an era dominated by rapid changes and pervasive anxiety, we see an urgent need for products that prioritize self-expression and offer a respite from stress.
At XinyueDesign, we are currently advancing two innovative product lines. Our first line transforms everyday bags and pins into a creative “canvas,” allowing individuals to express themselves through customizable elements, featuring themes like picnics and winter landscapes. The other line features musical combs that emit different sounds based on how you comb your hair, including our focus project, “Rain Curle,” a comb that mimics the sound of rain, blending touch and auditory experiences to redefine daily routines into moments of “SPA” like tranquility.
What truly excites me is the underlying philosophy behind our designs: using commonplace items to subtly elevate mood in everyday life. The realization of this seemingly elusive goal and its potential for broader commercial impact is incredibly thrilling. Our initial success, marked by the rapid sell-out of our bags at the AAAAH Art Market and the “Rain Curle” brush being purchased by a Y Combinator partner, has greatly bolstered my confidence.
The drive behind my venture into emotional design is deeply personal. My name, “Xinyue,” means joy and delight. My parents named me not with the expectation of achieving traditional success but with the hope that I would find happiness in every day. Despite the inevitable challenges, including a period when emotional difficulties led me to take a hiatus and focus on mental health, I have come to understand the importance of addressing emotional well-being proactively. Inspired by Ingrid Fetell Lee’s TED talk “Where Joy Hides and How To Find It,” and supported by theoretical knowledge and interactions with like-minded professionals, I’ve embraced the transformative power of design. XinyueDesign is the culmination of this journey, supported by a solid foundation in theory and a deep commitment to enhancing mental wellness through our products.
This March, we’ll excited to unveil a new series of bags and pins themed around “creating your home,” and we anticipate the launch of our “Rain Curle” brush by mid-year. We firmly believe in the right to a vibrant and joyful life for all, a belief that XinyueDesign is dedicated to realizing. I am also on the lookout for partners or collaborators with experience in social media marketing or brand promotion. If you’re interested in joining our journey, please feel free to reach out.
Lastly, I warmly invite you to experience our products firsthand. We welcome you to explore our offerings offline and witness the unique emotional impact of our designs.
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?
In my career journey, three key traits have been crucial: creativity, courage, and the ability to continuously learn. These traits have not only defined my personal and professional life but have also guided me towards success.
1. Creativity
Impact: Creativity tops my list because discovering and leveraging my talent has been paramount. From a young age, I loved sketching interesting product concepts on paper, effortlessly entering a state of flow during the creative process. Today, I hold 26 national patents and have nearly 200 intriguing ideas in my electronic notebook waiting to be executed. My tenure at SVA even earned me the nickname “idea machine” from the department head, highlighting the decisive impact of innovation on my design entrepreneurship.
Advice: Focus on identifying and amplifying your strongest and most beloved abilities. Ask yourself when you feel most focused and happy, or seek feedback from friends and family about your strengths. If you’re still exploring, don’t worry; earnest exploration will lead to discovery. Combining your strengths, like connecting stars, will illuminate your right path. Remember, discovering your talent requires focus, so avoid getting distracted by others.
2. Courage
Impact: Friends often describe me as courageous. Despite having a background in marketing and a guaranteed spot for postgraduate studies, I realized my true calling lay in design creation after a year off. I decisively switched my field to apply to an art school in New York, starting from scratch since I didn’t even know Photoshop then. Last year, I quit my full-time design job to pursue more meaningful design work. I’m not afraid of rejection, always ready to try and try again.
Advice: Persistently pursue your dreams with bravery. If you aim to innovate, believe in your capacity to achieve and maintain a child-like innocence at heart.
3. Continuous Learning
Impact: The ability to continuously learn is key to iterating on my products and enhancing my skills. Passion may put you ahead temporarily, but only relentless refinement can ensure a longer, more successful journey.
Advice: Cultivate curiosity and explore new knowledge and skills. Whether through reading, attending workshops, or engaging with peers, these activities will keep your expertise fresh. Remember, learning is an endless journey.
In conclusion, creativity, courage, and continuous learning are the pillars supporting my career path. For those in the early stages of their career, these insights can help you uncover and hone your talents, encourage you to boldly chase your dreams, and keep advancing in an ever-changing world.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
The primary challenge I’m currently facing is the lack of team support. I’m in the midst of optimizing product development, conducting customer research and outreach, as well as channel promotion. However, I lack sufficient time and experience to effectively promote my products and brand on social media. I am seeking a friend with experience in social media marketing to join me in this endeavor. Additionally, in terms of financing, we are hopeful to catch the attention of investors who can see the potential in our project and provide the necessary support to efficiently propel our product into a larger market. If you have the expertise in social media marketing or if you are an investor interested in exploring opportunities with a vibrant and promising project, please feel free to reach out at xinyuedesign@outlook.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: xinyuedesign.com
- Instagram: xinyue_design
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/xinyue-wu-28520827b
Image Credits
Cassie Zeng, Weican Wang
