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

Alright, LiYing thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

After graduation, as an industrial and visual designer, I put together my portfolio and built a website to showcase my work. I attended a career fair where my current company discovered my creative projects and expressed interest. It wasn’t an immediate process from day one, but having a strong portfolio and attending events like career fairs were crucial milestones in landing a full-time role. Knowing what I know now, I would have networked even more and refined my portfolio earlier to speed up the process.

LiYing, 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?

I’m LiYing Huang, an industrial and visual designer with a passion for crafting creative designs that deliver satisfying user experiences. My design journey began at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), where I earned dual degrees in Product Design and Graphic Design. Solving real-world problems through design has always been my driving force, and I’ve had the opportunity to work across both physical and digital mediums.

I help companies and clients create products and experiences that not only look great but also function seamlessly for users. My designs focus on enhancing usability, practicality, and aesthetics. I’ve worked on a wide range of projects, including my award-winning furniture design, the ARCstool, and my thesis project, CampCraze—a modular camping cookware system tailored for car campers.

What sets me apart is my commitment to creating functional, production-ready designs. While many may stop at the concept stage, I ensure my designs are practical and manufacturable. I believe in designing for the real world—products that are not only long-lasting but also something people love to use.

I’m particularly proud of my hands-on approach, where I prototype ideas and bring them to life from concept to final product. One example is my Birdie Buddy Badminton Bag, now available in the MICA store, which was a big milestone for me. Nature and outdoor activities heavily influence my work, and I strive to create sustainable, nature-inspired products that both function well and respect the environment.

Currently, I’m working at Kubik, an exhibition design company, where I design booths that offer clients memorable visual and brand experiences.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

What many people may not realize is that the final product they see is only about 9% of the overall effort. The other 91%—the countless hours of research, brainstorming, prototyping, and refining—are rarely revealed. The design process starts broad and rough, then gets refined, expanded, and polished, and this cycle can repeat as many times as necessary. Each small detail in a design matters and is there for a reason. The research phase alone is incredibly time-consuming, and it’s where much of the magic happens in creating something truly functional and meaningful.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

To best support artists and creatives, society needs to remain open-minded. Often, creatives are hired by corporations but don’t always have the power to decide the company’s direction. As designers, we strive to educate both corporations and users on what constitutes good design—something innovative, not just a duplicate or cheaper version of existing products. True design considers the entire life cycle, from materials to shipping to how it’s used in people’s homes. Every process matters, and it’s critical to test designs thoroughly and listen to user feedback throughout.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.liyingportfolio.net
• Instagram: _liying_huang_
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liying-huang-931a69232/

Image Credits
ARCstool images: Karina Lu