Today we’d like to introduce you to Qian Wan.
Hi Qian, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Ever since I was a child, I had a deep-seated passion for design and art. I loved spending hours drawing, painting, and creating things with my hands. As I grew older, I realized that I wanted to pursue a career in design and bring my creative visions to life. When I entered university, I decided to study industrial design with a focus on furniture. However, as I progressed in my studies, I also became increasingly intrigued by the rapid advancements in the digital world and technology. I was captivated by how technology was transforming our lives and creating new possibilities for design. That’s when I stumbled upon UX/Digital product design. I was instantly drawn to the idea of designing products that are not just visually appealing but also intuitive, usable, and meaningful for users.
With a passion for UX, I began working on personal projects, gaining hands-on experience and I was admitted to world-class universities such as ArtCenter College of Design and UPenn, where I could further nurture my passion for design.
After receiving master’s degree and graduating from college. I have achieved significant milestones and made notable contributions as a Product Designer and UI/UX Designer.
As a Product Designer at VMware, I led many cloud/AI projects from concept to launch including creating North Star vision, roadmap, facilitated 11-stakeholder brainstorm workshops, and conducted user testing The project was specially announced by VMware CEO at global conference garnered attention from 322 media press releases.
During my tenure as a UI/UX Designer at GEICO, I was integral to the team that designed and developed the GEICO Mobile App, which won the People’s Voice Webby Award in 2021. The GEICO app was also ranked first place in Overall Score out of the 12 largest insurance companies in the nation by the Keynova Group, whose scorecards set the industry standard for the financial services sector.
In my role as a Design Lead at Headway Surgical, I led the design of on-screen interaction animated prototypes for wearable products used in minimally invasive surgery. These prototypes won prizes in three entrepreneurial programs, showcasing my ability to create innovative and impactful designs.
These achievements highlight my expertise in product design, UI/UX design, and my ability to lead and collaborate with cross-functional teams. I am proud of my contributions and continue to strive for excellence in my career as a UX/Product Designer.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
One challenge that I have encountered as a designer is the lack of products in the market that focus on social topics, especially those that are considered to have no “business potentials.” Many important issues related to underserved design groups and inclusion have not received enough attention in the mainstream market due to their perceived lack of profitability. This realization struck me as I explored design opportunities beyond my regular work and delved into the realm of inclusion and equity.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In 2020, as the world witnessed a surge in COVID-19 cases, I became acutely aware of the alarming escalation of Asian hate incidents in the USA. Motivated to make a difference, I embarked on a journey to understand the experiences of Asians, especially those who were still in school and had faced racial harassment during the pandemic.
I conducted interviews with Asians, listening to their stories and understanding their struggles. I was deeply moved by their experiences and the impact of discrimination on their lives. This fueled my determination to create a solution that could make a positive impact.
Drawing upon my design skills and empathy-driven approach, I conceptualized and developed “Ling,” a chatbot app aimed at helping Asians learn about inclusion and equity, as well as how to report incidents and protect their legal rights. The app provides a safe space for users to access information and resources and offers guidance on dealing with discrimination in a supportive and empowering manner.
Creating “Ling” was not just about designing a product but also about addressing a pressing social issue and making a meaningful contribution towards promoting equity and inclusivity. It was a challenging journey that required extensive research, empathetic listening, and a deep understanding of the user’s needs and emotions.
Despite the challenges, I was driven by my passion for social impact and the belief that design can be a powerful tool for positive change. Through “Ling,” I aimed to create a solution that not only addresses the immediate needs of Asians facing discrimination but also raises awareness about the importance of inclusion and equity in our society.
This experience has reinforced my commitment to using design as a force for good and has inspired me to continue exploring design opportunities that can create a positive impact on underserved communities and address social issues. It has also highlighted the potential of design to drive positive change and bring about a more inclusive and equitable world.
My project “Ling” has garnered significant recognition and awards from prestigious international design competitions. It has been honored as a Gold Winner in the Muse Creative Awards in the App – Diversity and Inclusion category, as well as Gold in the Design for Social Change – Apps, Design for Social Change – Interaction Design, Graphic Design – Interaction Design, and Mobile Design – Mobile Interaction & Experience categories. It has also received a Silver in the Design for Social Change – Digital Design category, Indigo Design Award. Additionally, “Ling” has been recognized as an Arcturus Winner in the Vega Digital Awards and a Iron for my “Ling” project Winner in the A’Design Awards. These accolades highlight the impact and excellence of “Ling” in promoting diversity, inclusion, and social change through innovative design.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
As I embarked on my journey as a UX/Product Designer, I set my sights on creating digital products that are accessible to all, with a special focus on underserved and marginalized communities. I made it my ongoing and long-term goal to learn and implement inclusive design principles in my work, aiming to make a meaningful impact on a large demographic group.
In my current role, I have taken the initiative to advocate for “Design for 400%”, which focuses on a lesser-known but equally vital accessibility feature. This feature enables individuals with low vision to magnify the content on their browsers, providing them with an enhanced reading experience on screens. This advocacy has resulted in the implementation of accessibility-focused design components and processes and has garnered recognition, such as winning the a11y in Action in the a11Y Awards, for my achievements in this area.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.alexqianwan.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-q-wan/
