Interview
Danting Li
SparksGlo, United States
Danting Li is a graphic designer at SparksGlo with ten years of experience across branding, web design, and UI/UX. She brings a versatile background in advertising, gaming, and startups to create thoughtful, high-impact digital experiences.
1 Congratulations on your achievements in the Vega Digital Awards! Could you start by introducing yourself or your agency? Can you also share a bit about your journey into your current industry?
I am a graphic designer with ten years of experience in graphic and web design. I have led web and brand design projects ranging from event, company, and brand CMS websites to B2C e-commerce platforms. My journey in this industry began at an advertising company, where I gained hands-on experience and developed a strong understanding of how a design department operates and how design can influence business logic. I later joined a gaming agency, where I explored how creative design techniques shape game aesthetics and promotional campaigns. It was exciting to see my work generate strong media engagement, with people liking, commenting on, and reposting the designs I created. That experience helped build my confidence as a designer. After that, I moved to an early-stage startup in a fast-paced environment, focusing on UI/UX design for AI-driven freelancing products. This role strengthened my skills in design organization, research, testing, and documentation. I learned how to design more efficiently and strategically by observing real-time data and understanding how my work directly influenced website traffic, bounce rates, and click-through performance. I am currently a graphic designer at SparksGlo, a design agency. I lead the full design process for brands and websites across static, CMS, and e-commerce platforms, working with clients such as Redpoint, Scorpio Luxury, Venus Jewelry, Da Village, and Nutrigent. I also manage project coordination, budgeting, client communication, developer collaboration, quality assurance, and usability assessments. I am taking on greater responsibility and leading more projects, allowing me to approach design from a higher level and create deeper, long-term impact for the brands I support.
2 What inspired you to submit your work for this competition, and what does winning mean to you personally and professionally?
I was inspired to submit my project after seeing the exceptional work of many talented designers and the outstanding projects from past winners. I felt it would be a great opportunity to showcase my project, see how it stands among other creative works, and promote myself, my company, and the client’s brand. It truly felt like a win-win-win for everyone involved. Winning the Platinum Award is an incredible honor. I am deeply grateful and thrilled to receive this recognition, especially when I saw that Google’s project “50 States 50 Stories Website, Google Workspace” won the same Platinum Award in the same Website & Mobile Sites category. Knowing my design was recognized alongside a globally renowned company makes me feel genuinely proud. This award is a meaningful affirmation of my design capabilities and vision. It strengthens my confidence and encourages me to keep pushing boundaries and growing in my design career. I sincerely thank the jury for their recognition and for giving me the motivation to continue moving forward.
3 Can you share the story behind your success? What inspired its creation, and what do you feel it represents in today’s industry?
Staying humble and continuously learning from peer designers and leading agencies best describes the story behind my success. I draw inspiration from many renowned jewelry brands and from the goddess Venus herself. Venus embodies elegance, love, beauty, and strength—qualities that shaped the brand spirit of Venus Jewelry. Through this project, I aimed to translate those timeless characteristics into a contemporary visual identity that resonates with today’s audience while celebrating classic femininity and confidence.
4 What do you believe set your project apart in such a competitive field? Were there specific elements or strategies that made it shine?
What set my project apart in such a competitive field is its strong brand consistency and clear information architecture, which together create a seamless user experience. The Venus Jewelry E-commerce Website Design is not just about building a website—it is about developing a cohesive brand identity that reflects the elegance and spirit of Venus Jewelry. A key strength of the project lies in its well-structured information architecture. It allows users to browse jewelry categories, search by keywords, add products to the cart, and complete checkout with ease. Every user flow was intentionally designed to be smooth and intuitive, minimizing friction and creating an effortless shopping experience that embodies the brand’s sophistication and quality.
5 Every project has its challenges. Can you share a significant obstacle you faced during this process and how you overcame it?
One of the main challenges was addressing edge cases in the user flows. I typically begin by designing the main or “happy” path, but during implementation and usability testing, I noticed that users often take unexpected routes. They sometimes navigate into less obvious scenarios—edge cases that were not initially considered. For example, a user might search for a specific jewelry item that is not available in the current inventory. Without proper design or guidance, they could land on an empty page, leading to confusion and a negative experience. To address this, I redesigned the edge case pages and updated the design specifications for the development team. After testing the updated flows, we ensured a consistent, polished, and intuitive experience for all users. This process allowed us to successfully launch the Venus Jewelry E-commerce Website with a smooth and user-friendly experience.
6 Winning an award of this caliber often brings recognition. What do you hope this achievement will mean for your career, your team, or your agency in the long run? Have you already noticed any changes or opportunities arising from this recognition?
This achievement is a strong affirmation of my design career and gives me greater confidence to continue exploring and pushing the boundaries of website and brand design. I hope it helps potential clients recognize my capabilities as a graphic and web designer and encourages them to choose me for their brand and website projects. Over time, I believe this recognition will open new opportunities for collaboration and allow me to take on projects with broader impact, both for my team and for SparksGlo as an agency.
7 What has the reaction been from clients, audiences, or stakeholders about your winning entry? Any feedback or memorable moments that stand out?
The client was thrilled to see the Venus Jewelry E-commerce Website Design receive recognition. They were especially pleased that the award brings greater exposure to the brand, allowing more people to discover and engage with Venus Jewelry. This acknowledgment reinforced the impact of our work and highlighted the value of thoughtful, strategic design in building brand visibility.
8 For those aspiring to achieve similar success, what advice would you offer to help them not only thrive in their industries but also craft compelling, award-worthy entries? Are there specific practices, mindsets, or strategies you believe are key?
I advise aspiring designers to pay close attention to every detail and refine their work until it is polished in all aspects. It is also essential to understand the needs of both users and clients by actively listening to their goals and feedback. By thoughtfully balancing the requirements of all stakeholders, designers can create solutions that are not only visually compelling but also meaningful and impactful—ultimately increasing the chances of producing award-worthy work.
9 The digital industry is constantly evolving. How do you view these changes, and where do you hope to position yourself in the future?
No matter how the digital industry evolves, maintaining a balance in design aesthetics will always be essential. Moving forward, I aim to continue positioning myself as a graphic and website designer, welcoming clients who are seeking thoughtful, high-quality design solutions for their brands and digital experiences.
10 Entering awards can be daunting for many, especially those just starting out. What would you say to individuals who have limited experience, or are hesitant to showcase their work in competitions? How can they build confidence and see the value in participating?
Entering awards is an excellent opportunity for designers and companies to stand out in the market and gain wider recognition. Participating in the Vega Digital Awards is especially worthwhile and as a Platinum Award winner, I was honored to see my design recognized alongside Google’s work in the same category. This experience reinforced how meaningful and motivating award recognition can be. I encourage designers and companies not to hesitate to enter. Competitions like this provide a valuable platform to reach potential clients and showcase your capabilities. If you don’t try, you’ll never know the full potential of your work or the opportunities that may come from sharing it.
11 Innovation thrives on connection. What message would you like to share with fellow digital thinkers, marketers, and industry professionals?
Design should focus on helping users solve problems rather than creating obstacles. While design techniques are important, the underlying design philosophy is even more critical. A strong design philosophy ensures that solutions are user-centered, meaningful, and effective, ultimately creating experiences that truly support and guide users.
12 Winning is a team effort in many cases. Is there someone or a group of people you’d like to dedicate this achievement to, and why?
I would like to thank my development team for their exceptional work in implementing the website and ensuring it functioned flawlessly. They were highly supportive, responsive to new features, and worked closely with me to address any technical challenges. Whenever obstacles arose, we collaborated to find solutions and keep the project moving forward. Our strong teamwork and close collaboration were essential in successfully bringing the Venus Jewelry E-commerce Website Design to life.
13 If you could describe your award-winning entry in one sentence, what would it be and why?
The project captures Venus’s elegance, the sophistication of jewelry, innovative website design, and a distinct visual identity, creating a strong foundation for its success.
14 Finally, what’s next for you? Any exciting projects or upcoming goals that you’d like to share with us and the audience?
On September 25, 2025, my artwork “Neon Dreamscape” was featured in the sixth Times Square Billboard Showcase hosted by Visual Art Journal. For 24 hours, my work illuminated the iconic screen at 1560 Broadway in New York City, celebrating global creativity in the heart of Manhattan. It was an honor to see it reach such a wide audience and make a visible impact once again. In addition, my real estate agent personal website template project is now complete and ready for launch. Designed for independent real estate agents in the U.S. market, this template offers a cost-effective solution for building an online presence and showcasing listings. The design focuses on practical usability while maintaining a professional, polished appearance. I welcome anyone interested in this project to reach out, and I am committed to tailoring the design to meet individual needs efficiently and affordably.
