Interview
Qian Wan
United States
Qian Wan has always enjoyed observing the world and drew objects since she was a kid and now she is taking over the digital world with her remarkable talent!
1 Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your creative background.
Alex(Qian) Wan is an award-winning product designer. Her design has a global and business impact. Her extraordinary works have won many international design awards such as Arcturus Winner in Vega Digital Awards, and Silver winner in Muse Creative Awards 2022. She also plays the leading design role in many companies that have distinguished reputations such as Penn Medicine, GEICO, and VMware. Alex Wan has played an indispensable role in the success and popularity of the GEICO Mobile App among customers, as well as the recognition it has garnered, including winning the People's Voice Award at the esteemed Webby Awards and being ranked as the number one app by Keynova Group. Her contributions have also greatly impacted GEICO's overall success, market reputation, and exposure, largely attributed to the success of the GEICO Mobile App product.
2 What made you become/why did you choose to become a creative?
Passion for art or design since childhood
3 What does “creativity” mean to you?
Creativity in design involves the ability to think outside of the box, take risks, and explore new possibilities. It can involve the use of various mediums and techniques to express ideas and convey messages in a visually compelling and engaging way.
4 To you, what makes a “creative” idea and/or design?
A creative idea or design is one that captures the imagination, stimulates thought, and evokes an emotional response from its audience. It is a solution that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, while also being original and innovative in its approach.
5 Tell us about your creative and/or design process.
The creative and design process for product designers involves research, ideation, prototyping, testing, refinement, implementation, and launch. The process aims to identify user needs, generate ideas, create prototypes, test with users, refine the design, implement it, and launch the final product. Collaboration with other team members is crucial to ensure the product meets the needs of the target audience and is successful in the market.
6 What's your favorite part of the creative process and why?
Ideation and testing
7 Describe your creative style and its main characteristics.
I like to create something creative and collaborative. Meaning that during the design process I
8 Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2023 MUSE Creative Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
Ling is an educational chatbot that operates on mobile devices, specifically designed to assist Chinese international students in promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion. By offering real-time inquiry functions and access to learning resources, Ling aims to empower these students to recognize and prevent instances of discrimination and harassment they may encounter. The driving force behind the concept was the rise of racism and violence towards Asians as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is particularly concerning for Chinese international students between the ages of 18-25 who are entering a new cultural environment that may be vastly different from their own. These students may not immediately recognize instances of racial discrimination or harassment directed towards them, even if they are subtle in nature. However, it is important to note that these experiences can still be just as detrimental to their overall health and well-being.
9 What was the biggest challenge with this project?
The topic itself is very challenging. As a designer who also experienced a similar challenging moment, it is challenging for me to walk through the hard moment.
10 What are your top three (3) favorite things about our industry?
Inclusive, open-minded and creative
11 Where do you see the evolution of creative industry going over the next 5-10 years?
Technology-wise, it will be filled with AI-powered tools which will change the design process.
12 If you were a student entering this industry or an aspiring MUSE Creative Awards submitter, what advice would you give them?
Don
13 What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
In the creative industry, being open-minded is the key to success. Don
