1 Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your background.

I'm Eli Hong, an interaction designer specializing in emerging technology design. I've been fortunate to shape the future of technologies like AI, self-driving cars, and VR. My contributions have led to several patents and awards, impacting industries from transport to production. I've worked with renowned institutions like Peking University, Stanford Healthcare Innovation Lab, Collective Future, and now at Robert Bosch. At Bosch, I'm pioneering the ways we interact with tomorrow's technology as senior interaction designer and design lead, and had the privilege to see my designs influence new technological forms

2 What made you become/why did you choose to become a digital designer/artist?

I've always felt that design should bridge technology and humans in a harmonious manner. I started with urban planning and design, fascinated by how physical space connect people. But I saw technology reshaping human and machine interactions. Given my skills in data and understanding human behavior, it felt natural to dive into digital design where has the vast potential of digital interfaces to connect us

3 Tell us more about your business/company, job profile, and what you do.

As a senior interaction designer and design lead at Robert Bosch, a global tech powerhouse, I oversee the development of critical projects, setting benchmarks for software and hardware integration within our automotive and industrial sectors. This work significantly contributes to optimizing our production processes and enhancing our offerings to clients. My commitment to excellence involves rigorous user testing and the construction of simulation environments to validate our designs. A prime example of this is setting new standards for driver-assistance technologies, which I have been instrumental in developing and validating in close partnership with our engineering teams. My role extends into strategic collaboration with research departments, steering the advancement of emerging technologies with human center perspective. Additionally, I take pride in fostering professional growth in the company by mentoring peers and sharing Bosch's latest innovations through structured coaching and educational initiatives.

4 What’s your favorite kind of digital design and why?

I like designs that foster respectful and meaningful interactions between humans and tech. Like a good conversation between friends, the dialogue between people and machines should be enriching and seamlessly become a part of daily life.

5 To you, what makes a “good” design?

Good design marries human needs with engineering feats. It stands at the crossroads of art and technology, built on robust decision logic, backed by research, and evolves into principles that guide future innovations.

6 Describe your design style and its main characteristics.

My designs are clear and instructional, especially when crafting design guidelines. When I apply design to impactful real world challenge, they're friendly and precise. Ensuring users feel valued and cared for.

7 Tell us about your design process.

I follow double-diamond approach. It begins with deep learning about the subject

8 Where do you draw inspiration from?

Engaging with local and global communities fuels my inspiration. Delivering talks also stimulates my thinking. Sharing insights often sparks fresh ideas that solitary thinking might miss.

9 What current trends in digital design (or really anything digital related) are you most excited about?

I am currently deeply involved in the pioneering field of Autonomous Diving technology. The prospect of how users will engage and experience this technology in the near future is genuinely exhilarating. Additionally, the trend towards integrating human-centered design within the manufacturing industry, particularly when paired with emerging technologies such as AI and Augmented Reality, shows many fascinating opportunities for us as designers.

10 Congratulations! As the winner of the 2023 Vega Awards, what does it mean to you and your company and team to receive this award distinction?

Thank you! This award underlines the passion and dedication behind my designs. It's an acknowledgment that my endeavors are shaping positive changes, and it propels me to reach even greater heights.

11 Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2023 Vega Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?

Wel AI is a AI-enpowered personal communication app. It rethinks the integration of AI in daily email tasks, facilitating analytical reading and using a conversational approach to email composition. By cultivating a personal writing style and adopting a social relationship library, Wel AI ensures both the user and AI benefit symbiotically. The design fosters a flexible and respectful collaboration between user and AI. It collaborates, ensuring the assistance provided is tailored, enhancing communication while preserving individuality. I chose this project for the awards because many new technologies, like this one, are trying to help people, but sometimes they can be too pushy and take over. With this design, I wanted to show that technology can assist without taking away our personal touch. I believe "Wel AI" is a good example of how designers like me can make technology work for us, not against us. Hopefully it can contribute to the discussion of the future design norm of AI.

12 What was the biggest challenge with this project?

The hardest part was figuring out how much help the AI should give in personal emails. Emails are personal, so we wanted the AI to assist without taking over. It's like having a friend who suggests ideas but doesn't speak for you. We wanted to make sure using the AI felt smooth and natural, without users having to jump between screens or click too many buttons. Another challenge was that we had some technical limits, so we couldn't show a real demo of how the AI would work. Despite these challenges, we were excited to create something new that blends AI into our daily lives smoothly.

13 How has winning an Award developed your practice/career?

I believe the award validates my approach and design ethos. It serves as a platform to connect with fellow designers and researchers, fostering collaborations and pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

14 What are your top three (3) favorite things about the digital industry?

Its ever-changing landscape. Its innate respect for human intuition. The constant encouragement to think outside the box

15 Where do you see the evolution of digital industry going over the next 5-10 years?

There are three significant shifts I can see. Firstly, AI will redefine content creation. Secondly, spatial computing, like AR/VR, will usher in new digital interaction forms. Lastly, as autonomous driving matures, it'll craft unique digital content consumption scenarios. Being on the front lines, I'm eager to shape these transformations positively for humanity.

16 Who has inspired you in your life and why?

I'm inspired every day by the wonderful people I meet, from my family and friends to colleagues and even strangers in the coffee shop. Everyone has their own unique way of seeing the world. By learning from them and their experiences, I get fresh ideas and perspectives. It's like having an endless library of ideas. It reminds me to always design things that make life better for people.

17 What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?

Thinking through making, learning by sharing

WINNING ENTRY

2024
 
Implict Space: , Independent - Vega Website Awards Winner

Entrant Company

Independent

Category

VR & 360 Video (Single) - Interactive, Game / Real-Time

2024
 
Implict Space: , Independent - Vega Website Awards Winner

Entrant Company

Independent

Category

VR & 360 Video (Single) - Social Impact

2024
 
Implict Space: , Independent - Vega Website Awards Winner

Entrant Company

Independent

Category

VR & 360 Video (Single) - Best Use of VR

2023
 
Wel AI, Ruoyong Hong, Qian Wan - Vega Website Awards Winner

Entrant Company

Ruoyong Hong, Qian Wan

Category

Apps & Softwares - Best Use of AI & Machine Learning

2023
 
Wel AI, Ruoyong Hong, Qian Wan - Vega Website Awards Winner

Entrant Company

Ruoyong Hong, Qian Wan

Category

Apps & Softwares - Best User Interface / Experience