Interview
United States
Shuchen Wang has always had a fondness for creating things since childhood. Growing up, she has always had an appreciation for various art forms, including novels, paintings, poetry, and films. She has a fiery passion for exploring the human experience and the world around her.
1 Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your creative background.
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2 What made you become/why did you choose to become a creative?
I enjoyed creating stuff when I was a child. As I grew up, I developed a deep appreciation for various forms of art, such as novels, paintings, poetry, and films. I have always cherished the beauty within these works and have a passion for delving into the human experience and the world around us.
3 Tell us more about your business/company, job profile, and what you do.
I work as a UX designer at one of the world's largest finance companies. I collaborate on projects that involve business stakeholders, product managers, development teams, and other designers to address business requirements and address user pain points My objective is to conduct user research, identify potential opportunities, create high-fidelity designs, and refine them through user testing.
4 What does “creativity” mean to you?
Creativity, to me, is the ability to turn imagination into reality. It's the process of thinking beyond established boundaries, connecting seemingly unrelated concepts, and expressing oneself in unique ways to inspire, resonate, and break through the limits of conventional thinking.
5 To you, what makes a “creative” idea and/or design?
A creative idea can be quite simple, but it establishes a new approach by altering the structure of things. It might overturn the underlying logic of things, pose new questions, and evoke thinking. To me, a creative idea is always refreshing, as it encourages continuous reflection on the rationale behind traditional methods.
6 Tell us about your creative and/or design process.
When I design a solution, I start by conducting user research, interviewing, and observing how users interact with a product to understand their current pain points. Sometimes, I need to zoom out and look at the problem from the perspective of altering the structure to find a solution rather than diving into the details at the beginning. Once there are potential solutions, I conduct user testing to discover the optimal one, and then I get hands-on to make it a reality.
7 What's your favorite part of the creative process and why?
I love the part when I try to zoom out to look at the current problems. It gives me lots of information on why and how things are like this nowadays, and helps me reflect on the process. This is the part where creativity happens.
8 Describe your creative style and its main characteristics.
I like to design stuff that solves the practical problems. To be, a creative design should be easy to understand. If users frequently make
9 Congratulations! As the winner of the 2023 MUSE Creative Awards, what does it mean to you and your company and team to receive this award distinction?
I'm honored to receive the 2023 MUSE Creative Award. It encourages me to keep working on what I love to do!
10 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?
During the pandemic, we
11 What was the biggest challenge with this project?
This project happened during the COVID-19 pandemic, my initial intention was to conduct on-site research by observing community events. However, due to pandemic-related difficulties, executing this plan became impractical. As a result, I came up with alternative methods, including interviews with diverse community members and organizers, to gather valuable insights and piece together the puzzle from their experiences.
12 How has winning an Award developed your practice/career?
It motivates me to pursue more creative design opportunities in the future.
13 What are your top three (3) favorite things about our industry?
My favorite aspects of our industry include collaborating with talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, tackling real-world problems, and pushing the boundaries of innovation.
14 Where do you see the evolution of creative industry going over the next 5-10 years?
In the coming 5-10 years, the creative industry is poised for significant change as rapid advancements in AI continue to emerge. This will compel designers to consistently engage in critical thinking, questioning, and striving for greater innovation.
15 If you were a student entering this industry or an aspiring MUSE Creative Awards submitter, what advice would you give them?
Keep your creativity! And love what you do.
16 What resources would you recommend to someone who wants to improve their skills in the creative industry?
Checking exhibitions to see how different forms of art solve or express problems. Observing things around you, small things sometimes can offer a lot of inspiration and reflection.
17 Tell us something you have never told anyone else.
I used to dream of becoming a fashion designer.
18 Who has inspired you in your life and why?
My friends. They come from diverse backgrounds, and through our interactions, I've consistently gained new insights and perspectives. Engaging with them has taught me to approach various aspects of life with an open mind, fostering a broader and more comprehensive understanding of the world. Their experiences and viewpoints have encouraged me to constantly learn and grow, making me a more adaptable and empathetic individual in both my personal and professional life.
19 What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
Embrace challenges and always be willing to try.
20 Do you have anything else you would like to add to the interview?
Thanks for awarding me!
Entrant Company
Shuchen Wang
Category
Experiential & Immersive - Augmented Reality