Meet Xudong Xing

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

Xudong, so great to have you sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our readers and so let’s jump right into one of our favorite topics – empathy. We think a lack of empathy is at the heart of so many issues the world is struggling with and so our hope is to contribute to an environment that fosters the development of empathy. Along those lines, we’d love to hear your thoughts around where your empathy comes from?

As a user experience designer, my core task is to empathize with users and design software experiences that meet their needs. Empathy isn’t innate—it’s something I’ve cultivated step by step.

Initially, I started with user storyboards. When faced with feedback like “the main task is hard to complete,” I pretended to be the user, walking through the entire process to feel the frustration of being lost. But that wasn’t comprehensive enough. Later, I turned to films and TV shows, focusing on the inner worlds of supporting characters—like someone who missed an opportunity due to self-doubt. Stepping into their shoes, I felt their hesitation and fear, realizing that a user’s “stumble” might stem from anxiety or insecurity.

The challenge was my “designer mindset.” For instance, I once created a registration flow I thought was seamless, yet users kept dropping off. Re-walking the process as if acting in a movie, I saw they needed clear guidance, not just “minimalist beauty.” Overcoming this, I built a habit: with every design step, I imagine myself as a confused user and tweak accordingly.

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?

Hi, I’m Xudong — a Product Design Lead and an artist.

By day, I lead product design efforts that aim to create meaningful, user-centered digital experiences. Outside of work, I’m also passionate about art and often explore side projects that reflect on social issues, human behavior, and emotional experiences.

For me, design and art are two different languages that help me understand and connect with the world. While product design pushes me to solve real-world problems through structure and logic, my art allows me to slow down, reflect, and express ideas in a more personal and intuitive way.

I’m always excited about projects that spark conversations, especially those that challenge norms or bring underrepresented voices into the spotlight. Whether through a digital product or a piece of art, I hope to create work that resonates with people and inspires thought.

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?

One of the most important skills, in my opinion, is learning to live like a UX designer—clearly identifying problems, exploring ways to solve them, and then gradually discovering the beauty and meaning in everyday life through that process.

UX isn’t just about design—it’s a mindset. Approaching life with curiosity, clarity, and a structured problem-solving method helps us make better decisions, both personally and professionally.

Another critical quality is staying calm under pressure.
In the face of setbacks or failure, it’s important to separate emotions from facts. When we’re overwhelmed by emotion, it can cloud our judgment and affect how we solve problems. Staying composed allows us to approach challenges rationally, which is especially important in a fast-paced or high-stakes design environment.

For those early in their journey:

Practice identifying the core of a problem before jumping into solutions.

Cultivate emotional resilience—it’s a long journey, and the ability to recover quickly from frustration is a superpower.

And lastly, let your curiosity lead the way—some of the most creative ideas come from unexpected places.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

That’s a great question. To me, it’s not just about staying in my comfort zone or taking risks—it’s about growing as a designer. I believe stepping out of my comfort zone and exploring areas I’m less familiar with is essential for personal and creative growth.

As a designer, it’s easy to stick with what we know, but true innovation often comes from venturing into the unknown. Trying new methods, learning new tools, or even collaborating with people from different disciplines can bring fresh perspectives and unexpected inspiration. Stepping beyond the familiar helps me avoid creative stagnation and makes my work—and my life—more dynamic and meaningful.

Contact Info:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xingxd/