We recently connected with Junru (Jennie) Xu and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jennie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
HEAR ME is an app that leverages AI technology to empower people with hearing loss in all aspects of life. Users can have their selected avatar interpreters translate between spoken and sign languages for them during video calls, face-to-face conversations, movies/TV, etc. They can also book real-world interpreters on the app based on location and needs. Lastly, the app provides real-time mood tracking, and its AI chatbot assistant is there to cheer up and support the users 24/7. This project is inspired my close friends Tarry who is a hearing loss but cool boy with full of energy and positive passion, which inspired me design this project to help more hearing loss people in the worls.
Jennie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Hello! 👋 My name is Junru, and I hold the position of Senior Product Designer. Beyond my professional role, I wear many hats as an artist, educator, volunteer, and entrepreneur. My mission is to forge a future in which creativity is the cornerstone for inspiring positive social transformation. With my eyes set on impactful design innovation, I am dedicated to crafting experiences that not only anticipate the future but are also deeply rooted in addressing the challenges faced by society today.
My approach to design revolves around empathetically and creatively catering to customer needs, striking a delicate balance between functionality and visual appeal. My academic journey in design at Columbia University has equipped me with the skills to excel in this endeavor. My practical experience spans across human-centered design industries, having contributed to projects at DIRECTV, CayabaCare, Giveshop App, and 2×4.
In addition, I have ventured into entrepreneurship as the co-founder of TA Design Studio and a partner at HMW Design Studio, where I continue to apply my design expertise to generate innovative solutions.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
Fortuitously, I crossed paths with my HMW Studio counterpart, Iris, within the vibrant tapestry of our design community. Her captivating introduction, showcasing her prowess in innovative design, AI, and AR/VR, instantly drew my attention. Eager to merge my aspirations with such formidable talent, I approached Iris with the proposition to elevate my nascent project, ‘Hear Me.’ Our collaboration over the ensuing months not only cemented our bond as steadfast friends but also propelled ‘Hear Me’ to the pinnacle of success, clinching numerous international accolades. This triumph kindled a shared ambition to venture further into the creation of exceptional projects. With this vision, I shared with Iris the prospect of founding a design studio together, a notion that was met with equal enthusiasm. Thus, HMW Studio was born, poised on the cusp of a luminous future.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Rather than framing it merely as a goal or mission, I perceive it as a heartfelt drive to forge remarkable design products that genuinely aid users in overcoming challenges. This endeavor brings me profound satisfaction and joy. Take, for instance, ‘Hear Me’—a project dedicated to providing daily life support for individuals with hearing loss, or ‘YOYO’—an initiative designed to foster deeper connections and emotional interactions for ‘left-behind’ children with their parents. My focus lies in channeling my projects towards creating a social impact, with the ultimate aim of contributing to a better world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.junruxu.com/
- Instagram: Junru_Xu
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/junru-xu666/
- Other: https://www.hmwdesign.studio/home