We were lucky to catch up with Yuchuan Yu recently and have shared our conversation below.

Yuchuan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to start by getting your thoughts on what you are seeing as some the biggest trends emerging in your industry.

In the past two years, we’ve witnessed an explosion of cutting-edge technologies, with artificial intelligence (AI) at the forefront. This has sparked discussions in the design and creative industry about the potential for designers to be overshadowed by AI. However, I believe that one of the most significant trends is the increasing importance of UX designers as various technologies, especially AI, continue to evolve.

It’s crucial to understand that our current impact on product design and industry ecology is based on our present understanding. We need to adopt a dynamic perspective to anticipate changes. With the advent of new technologies, the old industry landscape will undergo a complete transformation. Just as the mobile Internet industry was revolutionized by the introduction of the iPhone without a keyboard, today’s AR, VR, and AI industries are poised to usher in a new era.

I can illustrate this with a personal anecdote. I once participated in an AR display project where we used multimodal interactions to provide users with a more immersive and interactive experience. In another AI project, we leveraged a Large Language Model (LLM) and a collection of various internal and external platforms to create an innovative work tool that enhanced the productivity and efficiency of our staff.

These projects were exciting but challenging, as there were few references, no established product standards, and a deep understanding of the technical logic behind the requirements was necessary. This is why UX designers are becoming increasingly important. We are witnessing the birth of new industries and product models, and as a bridge between business, user experience, engineering, and technology, we have the opportunity to participate in the creation of new product forms and industry standards.

Let’s embrace this new era together and shape the future of our industry!

Yuchuan, 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?

I am an award-winning user experience designer specializing in integrating cutting-edge technologies with user needs. My portfolio spans leading international technology companies such as SAP, GE Appliances, and Alibaba, impacting tens of millions of users worldwide. My expertise extends across diverse industries, including AI products, smart home appliances, B2B international e-commerce, Web 3, social media, and educational technology.

Renowned for my ability to dissect complex systemic problems, I excel in crafting creative design solutions that seamlessly balance user experience, business objectives, and engineering constraints. My proficiency in leveraging innovative technologies such as AI, AR, VR, and blockchain has led to user-friendly designs garnering international recognition.

My design exploration has earned numerous awards and exhibitions across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, including accolades from the European Product Design Award (EPDA), International Design Award (IDA), and K Design. Notably, my design ‘Cookoo’ was featured as a digital exhibit at the 2024 Nairobi Design Week in Kenya.

At the core of my philosophy is the belief that different technologies serve as the building blocks of exceptional products. By melding these technologies with strategic business planning and design thinking, I am passionate about creating magical user experiences that resonate with users and drive innovation in the industry.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

A few years ago, I made a pivotal decision in my career: I transitioned from being a product manager to a user experience designer. This choice often raises eyebrows in interviews and conversations with peers, as many view the role of a product manager as a more desirable career path due to factors like higher salary, more job opportunities, and broader skill development.

Indeed, these were some of the reasons I initially chose to become a product manager. I genuinely enjoyed the role, collaborating with various functional teams such as marketing, operations, development, design, and legal to plan and design products from a holistic perspective and being accountable for the outcomes.

However, during my journey managing hardware, edtech, and social media products, I realized that the moments that truly ignited my passion were often related to refining the details of the product experience. This gravitational pull towards design led me back to the field, where I decided to focus on becoming a user experience designer.

My experience as a product manager has enriched my design sensibilities, providing me with a nuanced understanding of business and engineering. This unique blend of skills and perspectives has become a valuable asset in my design career, and I believe it will continue to propel me forward.

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

The role of a UX designer is often misunderstood by those outside the creative industry. Friends unfamiliar with my field frequently ask questions like, “Are you very good at drawing?” or “Do you just turn the product manager’s ideas into attractive interfaces?” These queries reflect a common stereotype that designers are solely focused on aesthetics without a grasp of technology or business.

In reality, as a UX designer, my daily work involves understanding business objectives, leveraging different technologies to bring ideas to life, and diving deep into user needs to transform them into viable design solutions. The whole process is a combination of aesthetics and logic. I urgently need to consider how to design a unique and attractive experience. I also need to sort out the relationship between different businesses and roles, and create usable solutions in a complex system. use flows.

The creative industry is home to a diverse range of designers. Some are more artistically inclined, while UX designers, like myself, are perhaps the least “creative” in the traditional sense. This is not to say that creativity isn’t important for UX designers, but rather that we require a stronger emphasis on logical thinking and a systematic approach. This allows us to understand needs from various perspectives: market, technology, engineering, and user requirements.

These different perspectives are akin to ingredients in cooking. As UX designers, we need to master the temperature, proportions, and sequence of these ingredients, blending them perfectly to create a delightful banquet—a user-friendly product experience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yuchuanyu.design/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuchuan-yu-a37a51168/