Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bowen Shen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Bowen, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with important influences in our lives. Is there a historical figure you look up to?

I’ve always found inspiration in the polymathic brilliance of Thomas Young, the scientist who made wide-ranging contributions across disciplines, ranging from physics to linguistics and beyond. His story is well encapsulated by the title of his biography “The Last Man Who Knew Everything”, by Andrew Robinson.

I remember reading about Young in my teenage years, and I said to myself: oh wow, what this man did really resonates with me!

From my early days of doodling to formal training in fine arts, my artistic journey evolved without a predetermined destination. Even though I knew I wanted to end up in the art field loosely, I couldn’t decide fully on a specific profession. Being a painter was my initial dream, then I thought a comic artist was a better idea. I could also picture myself as an animator, but how about a full-stack game developer!? And as my aspirations changed, I picked up new skills along the way.

I settled with the title Product Designer, for now. Looking back, I appreciate the zigzag path I’ve taken, guided by curiosity and the desire to become a polymath. It’s this very curiosity that unexpectedly infuses my projects with diverse perspectives and solutions.

Bowen, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi there, I’m Bowen Shen. I design, doodle, and code. Currently serving as a Product Designer at Goldman Sachs in the vibrant city of New York, I’ve journeyed through fine arts training in my early years, pursued Communication Design in my undergraduate studies, and further delved into Interaction Design, which paved the way to my present role.

Navigating through a profession that often requires a bit of explanation even to my family and friends, I find my passion as a product designer particularly fulfilling. In this role, I meticulously shape the user experience for a digital financial product’s website and mobile app. Beyond the aesthetics, product designers like me focus on ensuring a seamless and user-friendly journey. We operate within the bounds of brand guidelines and technical feasibility, striking a balance between creativity and practicality to deliver innovative and marketable solutions aligned with our company’s goals and customer expectations.

What makes my work even more rewarding is that the product I contribute to has a wide public reach, offering ample opportunities for our team to receive valuable user feedback. It’s truly gratifying to witness people having positive experiences with the product we passionately refine.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When embarking on my journey in my current discipline, the conventional route to success seemed crystal clear – secure internships with renowned companies during my studies, get paid while gaining industry experience, and eventually get hired upon graduation with a return offer. This path appeared promising, especially given the success stories of many alumni.

However, reality took an unexpected turn when it was my turn to seek an internship. The industry was grappling with the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the cancellation of internship programs one after another. Despite relentless efforts and numerous applications, I faced a string of rejections while witnessing others securing coveted positions. It was disheartening, and I began to doubt my career prospects, feeling like I was falling behind at the very first step.

Months later, I secured an internship offer – albeit unpaid. Faced with limited options, I accepted the opportunity. Despite the financial challenges, the experience proved invaluable. Working in a small company allowed me to make a substantial impact, fostering close bonds with the cofounders. The project I undertook not only paved the way for a coveted full-time job but also resulted in winning design competitions.

This journey taught me a profound lesson in resilience. While deviating from the well-trodden path may seem daunting, it is not the end of the world. Embracing unforeseen challenges can lead to unexpected opportunities and, in my case, a fulfilling career path that defied initial setbacks.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Besides using my artistic skills in my day job, I find it also rewarding to process my own feelings and find inner peace with the help of art in a therapeutic way. Free from the constraints of external obligations, and without expectations to garner compliments, I let my intuition take the lead, guiding the art in its own direction.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bowenshen.design/
• Instagram: @mengshenwww
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bowen-shen/