Today we’d like to introduce you to Zhenghao Huang.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Back in middle school, I developed a passion for basketball and was captivated by the innovative shoe designs from various brands, particularly Nike. My classmates and I competed not only on the court but in collecting the most stylish shoes. This fascination extended to other products when I acquired my first iPhone 4s; I was struck by its delicate craftsmanship. This experience steered me towards industrial design, as I wanted to create products rather than just use them. I pursued my undergraduate studies at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University in China, where I learned to research user needs and execute designs. Later, I started my master’s in masters industrial design from TU Eindhoven in the Netherlands, gaining experience in Human-Computer interaction and interaction psychology. However, finding that HCI wasn’t the career path I was passionate about, I joined ArtCenter’s Graduate Industrial Design program to focus on designing for business and launching startups. I am grateful to thrive in ArtCenter’s esteemed design culture and competitive environment. After graduation, I look forward to beginning my professional journey.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My journey has been challenging. I was born in Jiangsu Province, a highly competitive region in China. I studied diligently for the GaoKao, China’s rigorous college entrance examination. Unfortunately, its structure didn’t play to my strengths, as it lacked a focus on science-based courses. Nevertheless, I seized the opportunity to participate in Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University’s independent recruitment, excelling in a group English interview. I ranked among the top 10 out of 1,700 candidates and scored well enough on the GaoKao to secure admission to this China-based UK university.
When applying for postgraduate programs overseas, I struggled with uncertainty about which programs suited me best, resulting in less successful applications to UK art colleges. However, TU Eindhoven accepted me, and I found the program quite appealing, so I decided to go there. Despite this, initial three-months experience didn’t live up to my expectation, prompting me to seek alternatives.
Gaining admission to ArtCenter’s Graduate Industrial Design program was arduous. I had to obtain recommendation letters from professors I barely knew and worked diligently to persuade them. Additionally, I spent two intense months developing a new portfolio and passing the English test, all while managing my coursework. Fortunately, my efforts were rewarded with acceptance into ArtCenter, though the program proved to be even more demanding.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an Industrial Designer and design strategist, skilled in developing product design strategies that help brands effectively serve their customers. My designs are not only executed beautifully but are also relatable and aligned with the strategic objectives of established brands or newly created entities. I possess a keen understanding of psychology, which allows me to discern users’ true needs and perceptions, enabling me to deliver precise aesthetics and user experience design for products. Ultimately, I am driven by objectives; design, for me, is a means to fulfill the goals of organizations or individuals, telling their unique stories and engaging their stakeholders.
I take particular pride in my ability to grasp the underlying purposes of a project and determine what to design and how, rather than designing solely based on personal preference. Persuasive reasoning is my distinctive strength, informing every detail of my design process.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
People are often surprised by my critical thinking skills and my deep appreciation for meaning and purpose. In general conversations and on my portfolio website, the focus is usually on my experiences and the outcomes of my projects. However, behind the scenes, there is an extensive amount of thought and numerous compromises involved in creating designs that are realistic and practical. When engaged in serious discussions, one quickly realizes how detail-oriented and comprehensive my approach is as an industrial designer.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.zhenghaodesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zhenghao_h0104
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zhenghao-huang-8a351821b/
