Daily Inspiration: Meet Meng Lan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Meng Lan.

Hi Meng, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in China, where I developed a keen interest in observing people and understanding their thoughts, especially when they faced challenges. I naturally gravitated towards asking questions and offering help to solve problems. Communication through language has never been my strong suit, so I often resort to using visuals to express my opinions whenever possible. I believe graphics make it easier for me to connect with people compared to words, which also influenced my decision to major in art in university. Post-graduation, I worked as a designer in a small studio, primarily interacting with clients to understand their design needs and then conveying these requirements to the team leaders to kickstart the design process. This experience introduced me to the concept of ‘user-centered’ design, which became a focal point for my learning. Determined to enhance my ‘user-centered’ skills, I decided to pursue further education in the United States, specializing in UI/UX and Interaction Design. As a UI/UX Designer now, my ultimate goal is to create products that effectively address and resolve challenges for users.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It wasn’t going well. Owing to my previous experience in graphic design, I frequently found myself conflating the approaches of graphic design and UI/UX design—struggling not only with the transition from paper to digital but also with adapting to a distinct mindset concerning user needs. So one of the most difficult challenges is to first change the solution and research approach to the project. I had to make great efforts to absorb information, read and investigate. Also, I have to teach myself some digital design tools. At the same time, feedback and questioning are also one of the difficulties in the creative process. Digital design needs to constantly collect data to update and iterate. Creating and effectively solving user problems in a limited time will give me a lot of pressure. There was a time when I had self-doubt in the design of a project, which made me very depressed.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a UI/UX Designer and freelance graphic designer, I specialize in designing web pages and mobile applications for multimedia, internet, and education companies, as well as creating print advertising designs. I take pride in a recent project, ‘Way to Drive,’ which received the Silver Award at the MUSE Creative Awards 2023. This app is designed to assist Chinese tourists in learning local traffic rules to avoid tickets and potential dangers while driving in Los Angeles. ‘Way to Drive’ features a route planner, image recognition for road signs, alerts for neighborhood traffic rules, and language translation options for non-English speakers. Users have access to a dynamic route planner, allowing them to preview traffic rules before or during their journey. The app utilizes advanced image recognition to provide clear explanations of complex road signs. Users can set alerts for traffic rules in their vicinity, reducing the risk of receiving tickets.

Additionally, the app offers language translation preferences, ensuring accessibility for those less familiar with English. I have introduced this project to various friends, not just Chinese-speaking ones. Friends and colleagues from Southeast Asia and South America have expressed the need for this app to navigate the challenges of driving in LA. Their feedback has reinforced my belief that, as a designer, I can utilize my skills to positively impact and inspire people, helping them lead better lives. I’m so happy that my accomplishments in digital interface design highlight my commitment to creating meaningful and unique design experiences.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I’m not just a UIUX Designer, making an APP and web design for my clients. I also do graphic design work as a freelancer graphic designer producing ad posters and logo designs. I’m also a photographer, taking portraits and landscapes. I like coming up with ideas, thinking creatively, and planning. I also have an MBA background. Using my background in both business and design, I can easily connect project requirements with business goals. My special skills help me bring together design and business needs, creating solutions that are both appealing and smart.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://lanmengdesign.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlan14/
• Other: https://dribbble.com/mlan14

Image Credits
Photos by Meng Lan