Bowen Shen

Originally trained in art and graphic design, I mainly worked with physical output. However, my path gradually shifted to the digital realm when I discovered my interest in coding during my undergraduate years. The realization that I could create interactive art with code sparked my journey. Since then, I've been exploring how static design can evolve into engaging and participatory communication, involving both the designer and the viewer. That's the beauty of digital design.

I'm currently a product designer on a cross-functional team, crafting web and mobile experiences that align with both user and business needs. My role involves conducting research, identifying opportunities and user pain points, bringing concepts to life through design mockups and prototypes, and testing with users. It's a collaborative effort, working with product managers, engineers, and various stakeholders to ensure optimal and feasible designs.

I'm obsessed with experimental interactive digital designs, especially those websites where you can poke around and trigger fun interactions. It's fascinating to see how designers and developers express creativity with novel web technologies.

Good design starts with good intentions and is delivered in a way that either delights people or is intentionally unobtrusive and effortless. Most importantly, it should fulfill the purpose it was set out to achieve.

In my professional design process, which involves understanding user and business needs and ensuring consistent UX, I rely on rational, analytical, and systematic thinking. On the flip side, I also enjoy injecting playfulness and delightful moments that enhance the user experience. In personal projects, where compromises are not necessary, I let my inner artist and inner child run free! It's a space for maximum playfulness and experimentation with different techniques.

My projects usually start with a client or product manager asking for new designs or enhancements. I delve deeper into the problem space, gaining a fuller picture: who I'm designing for, their wants and needs, the market landscape, and most crucially, the problem I'm solving. I ideate, create design concepts, evaluate, test with users, gather feedback, and iterate until the design aligns with stakeholders' expectations. Once developed and launched, we monitor performance, often leaving room for improvement, which can evolve into a new project.

Daily interactions with digital experiences help me see things from a regular user's perspective. Moving back to the role of a designer, I use this knowledge to inform my design decisions. Apart from that, being multicultural also helps me think outside of overused patterns. I use Chinese apps every day and they tend to be very different from the apps I use in the US. I always feel inspired and surprised when I compare them.

When Apple announced Vision Pro in 2023, it got me and many of my fellow designers excited about the possibilities of designing interfaces and interactions in a VR setting. It will certainly challenge a lot of established rules for designing flat 2D interfaces. I'm also very excited about the opportunities AI technologies bring to help designers work more effectively and creatively.

Winning the Vega Awards 2023 is an incredible honor for our team. It's a testament to the hard work, creativity, and dedication that the team puts into every project. I'm excited about the potential doors this recognition may open for us in the future.

This project was completed in collaboration with the WESTxEAST co-founders. The brand had outdated branding and websites and needed a refreshed look that matched its high-end positioning to attract its target consumer group. As the designer and developer of this project, I feel grateful to be given a lot of freedom to experiment with and implement some creative interactions. The brand image was greatly enhanced by the end of the project. It was a project I'm proud of.

As the sole designer and developer, overcoming implementation-specific challenges required me to tackle or think about workarounds independently. It was a difficult but rewarding learning experience.

This is a great recognition of my work. I feel encouraged to continue to deliver quality work and push creative boundaries in the future.

1. It will remain relevant for the foreseeable future. The digital industry will evolve, but it will not go away. 2. The digital industry has significantly enhanced global connectivity. Through the Internet, social media, and digital communication tools, individuals and businesses can connect and collaborate on a global scale. 3. Digital technologies have democratized access to information and resources. The digital industry has empowered individuals to create, share, and access content more easily than ever before.

The United States offers a variety of design opportunities in the digital industry. You can work on products that have a significant global impact that is used by tens of millions of people, or you can be part of an entrepreneurial founding team that serves a niche market. I also met people from a variety of professional and cultural backgrounds while working here. It is such an eye-opening experience.

Like the changes seen in many industries due to AI, basic design tasks will become automated. To stay relevant, designers must move beyond repetitive and non-original ways of working. Practicing systematic and analytical thinking will be critical to delivering customized design solutions.

Digital design is a constantly evolving industry. The tools and frameworks that are mainstream today may be replaced by more efficient ones in a few years. Stay curious and keep learning!

Stay up-to-date with news and trends using blogs and websites like Smash Magazine, Medium, and TechCrunch. Seek mentorship and connect on platforms like ADPList and online design communities.

Okay, this might sound silly. When I was a student living a frugal lifestyle, printing for assignments could be expensive. So, when given the freedom to choose the medium for certain assignments, I would "cheat" by opting for a digital format like animation or website to avoid printing costs. You could say it contributed to my journey into digital design…

My manager and co-workers were great inspirations. I feel lucky to be surrounded by a sweet and supportive team. I learned not only how to be a good designer but also how to be a caring human being.

Find your role models, and be inspired and empowered by them. Believe in yourself, keep honing your creativity, and eventually, you’ll become a role model for others.