We recently had the chance to connect with Ziyi Zhou and have shared our conversation below.
Ziyi, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
For me, integrity is the most important. As a designer, I believe that honesty and transparency form the foundation of all relationships and collaborations. Whether it’s with colleagues, clients, or users, maintaining integrity is crucial in building trust and fostering meaningful connections. In the design field, we are not only solving problems but creating experiences that impact people’s lives. Without integrity, the end results and the user experience would be compromised.
While intelligence and energy are also important—especially in a fast-paced, ever-evolving work environment—they can’t stand alone. Intelligence helps us navigate complex challenges, and energy drives innovation and execution. However, without integrity guiding those qualities, they lose their purpose.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Ziyi Zhou, an award-winning UI/UX and product designer with a passion for innovation and design that solves real-world problems. I hold a Master’s degree in Design from UC Berkeley and have worked with Fortune 500 companies and startups to create impactful user experiences.
I’ve won 20+ international design awards, including the A’ Design Award and International Design Award, and I’ve been granted U.S. EB1A and NIW green cards for my contributions to the field. Additionally, I hold a U.S. patent for my design work.
What sets my work apart is my ability to combine creativity with business strategy, driving both user satisfaction and long-term value. I’m passionate about leveraging emerging technologies and design thinking to make a meaningful impact and create a more connected, user-centered future.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a person driven by curiosity, creativity, and a deep love for art and design. Growing up, I was always fascinated by how things worked—whether it was a painting, a sculpture, or a piece of technology. My natural inclination was to blend creativity with functionality, and I felt a strong desire to make an impact by designing things that would improve people’s lives.
In the beginning, the world often pushed me toward more traditional paths, like pursuing business or following in my family’s footsteps. But I knew deep down that design was where my heart was. It took time and courage to break free from those expectations, but once I embraced who I truly was—an artist with a passion for solving real problems through design—that’s when I began to truly thrive.
Today, I’m proud to say I’m living the life I chose, one that lets me combine art and technology to create meaningful and impactful solutions. Before the world told me who I had to be, I was already someone who believed that design could change the world, and I’m still following that path.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be: “Trust in your path and be patient with the process.” There were times when I doubted my decisions, especially when I faced resistance from others about pursuing design. But looking back, every challenge, every late night spent refining my work, and every step forward has led me to where I am today.
I would remind myself that it’s okay to not have everything figured out right away, and that every setback is an opportunity to grow. I’ve learned that perseverance and self-belief are the keys to overcoming obstacles and that every experience, good or bad, contributes to shaping the person and professional I am now.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
A cultural value I protect at all costs is authenticity. In both my personal life and my work as a designer, I believe it’s crucial to stay true to who you are, your values, and your vision. Authenticity drives meaningful connections—whether it’s in my designs, collaborations, or interactions with others. In design, being authentic means creating products that are not only functional but also resonate with the true needs and experiences of users, rather than just following trends or external expectations.
In a world that often pushes for conformity, staying authentic has allowed me to bring unique perspectives and ideas to my work. It’s a value I hold close because I believe that genuine creativity and honesty are the foundations of building trust and making a lasting impact.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I deeply understand the power of design to shape human experiences in ways that most people might overlook. While many see design as simply making things look aesthetically pleasing or functional, I see it as a tool to solve complex problems and make a meaningful impact on people’s lives.
What sets great design apart is its ability to influence behavior, create emotional connections, and transform the way people interact with the world around them. It’s not just about creating something visually appealing; it’s about understanding human needs, empathy, and how to create solutions that empower people and improve their daily lives.
This understanding drives my approach to every project—design isn’t just about the “end product”; it’s about creating something that connects deeply with users and solves real problems, often in ways they didn’t even know they needed.
Contact Info:
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zzhou01/
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