Yiwei and Jiayuan Wang

Our transition from architecture and landscape design to user-centered design was fueled by a deep understanding of environmental interaction and a commitment to climate action. This background has empowered us to create digital experiences that are not only intuitive and meaningful but also environmentally conscious. We integrate principles of sustainability and ecological awareness into our designs, emphasizing the importance of environmental stewardship. We view design as a tool for empowerment, enhancing daily interactions through a blend of aesthetic form, functional user-centric principles, and environmental responsibility. Our journey has been one of constant learning and innovation, allowing us to create designs that resonate with users' needs and contribute positively to environmental sustainability.

Relief.AI is an AI-driven landscape design company committed to reshaping the future of residential landscaping through advanced technology. Our vision centers on integrating cutting-edge solutions to transform how homeowners conceptualize and create their outdoor spaces. The product design team involves deeply understanding user needs, uncovering key design insights, and iteratively developing solutions that align with those insights. We strive to bridge the gap between homeowners' aspirations and the practical execution of their garden designs, making sustainable and personalized landscaping accessible to everyone. Our focus is not just on creating a product but on fostering a seamless and intuitive experience that empowers users to bring their garden visions to life effortlessly.

To us, design is a powerful blend of creativity, user-centric solutions, and a deep commitment to sustainability. It's about creating experiences that not only meet the needs and expectations of users but also do so in a way that respects and nurtures the environment. Our approach to design is holistic, considering every aspect of the user's interaction with our creations, ensuring they are intuitive, meaningful, and environmentally responsible. We believe that good design should solve problems without creating new ones, especially for our planet. This philosophy guides us in crafting solutions that are not just user-friendly but also sustainable, reducing environmental impact wherever possible. Design, in our view, is a responsibility - a way to positively influence the world, balancing the needs of the present with the well-being of future generations.

As UX designers, our favorite kind of design is one that seamlessly integrates user-centered solutions with sustainable practices. We find immense satisfaction in creating designs that not only cater to the users' immediate needs and preferences but also do so with minimal environmental impact. This approach allows us to craft digital experiences that are intuitive, engaging, and mindful of the planet's health. It's the kind of design that aligns with our ethos - making a positive difference in the world, one user experiences at a time.

To us, a "good" design is one that achieves a harmonious balance between functionality, aesthetics, user satisfaction, and sustainability. It should solve the user's problem efficiently and delightfully, while also being mindful of its ecological footprint. A good design is intuitive, accessible, and inclusive, ensuring that it can be used and appreciated by a diverse range of users. It goes beyond just looking great; it should feel right, work seamlessly, and contribute positively to the environment and society.

At Relief AI, our design style is simple, intuitive, and user-focused, blending ease and sustainability in landscape design. We simplify the user experience with a 'less is more' approach, carefully selecting options to avoid overwhelming users while maintaining quality. Our 'wishes collage' feature allows users to easily and playfully visualize their garden designs without needing technical skills. Aesthetically, our designs use soothing orange and teal shades for a comfortable and relaxing user experience. We focus on clear, concise instructions and a semi-transparent UI style that adapts to diverse garden designs, providing ample visual space for users. Our goal is to make landscape design accessible, engaging, and enjoyable for everyone, aligning creativity with functionality in a sustainable way.

Our design process at Relief AI combines research, collaboration, and user-centered solutions. We started with surveys and market analysis, discovering that 62% of homeowners DIY their gardens but often struggle. In-depth interviews with over 20 homeowners revealed a gap between their aspirations and actual knowledge. Addressing this, we assembled a team of AI developers, landscape designers, prefab engineers, product designers, and vegetation specialists. This diverse team helped develop an AI and prefab platform, with product designers refining the user flow and interface for a welcoming UI. Our experts also built a detailed database with over 50 furniture pieces and 100 plant species, fueling our AI. This meticulous approach ensures Relief AI bridges the gap between users' landscaping dreams and practical solutions.

Absolutely, our Chinese cultural background significantly influences our design process, particularly in our emphasis on nature and sustainability. Chinese culture has a deep-rooted appreciation for the harmony between humans and nature, which is reflected in our design ethos. We prioritize integrating natural elements and sustainable practices into our designs, respecting the balance and rhythm of the natural world. Moreover, sustainability is a cornerstone in Chinese philosophy, which aligns with our commitment to environmentally conscious design. We strive to create solutions that not only serve the user's immediate needs but also contribute positively to the environment, preserving it for future generations. Our Chinese heritage thus plays a crucial role in shaping our design philosophy, driving us to create designs that are not just user-centered but also sustainable and in harmony with nature.

Receiving the 2023 MUSE Design Awards is a tremendous honor for us and a testament to the dedication and creativity of our team. This recognition holds a special significance as it validates our commitment to innovative, user-centered, and sustainable design practices. It's not just an award for us; it's an acknowledgment of our team's hard work, our collaborative spirit, and our relentless pursuit of design excellence.

Relief AI, our project that won the 2023 MUSE Design Awards, is a pioneering platform in landscape design that combines AI with practicality to transform homeowners' garden dreams into sustainable realities. This platform simplifies the landscape design process by utilizing AI to interpret user ideas into eco-friendly garden plans. It features a comprehensive database that allows users to design their gardens without needing extensive industry knowledge, supported by an AI that assesses sustainability. Our focus on prefab modular packages is a key aspect, offering detailed information on materials, dimensions, and maintenance, ensuring that the designs are not only construction-ready but also environmentally sound. Set to launch in July 2024, Relief AI aims to democratize sustainable landscaping by making it accessible to a wider audience. This platform stands out for its ability to bridge the gap between homeowners' aspirations and the practical aspects of garden creation, all while maintaining a strong commitment to ecological responsibility. We chose to enter Relief AI into the MUSE Design Awards because it encapsulates our vision of revolutionizing landscape design through sustainability and accessibility.

The biggest challenge in this project was bridging the gap between designers and non-designer users. With eight years in the design industry, understanding how users without a design background perceive and interact with design plans was crucial. It involved systematically rethinking design from a non-designer's perspective

Winning this award has been a milestone for us. We've always been focused on integrating landscape design with new technologies and user experience design, and this award validates our innovative approach. It has opened doors to new collaborations and significantly boosted our credibility within the design community. Furthermore, as a startup, the recognition has increased our visibility, aiding tremendously in attracting potential clients. This award is not just an honor; it's a catalyst that propels our mission forward, connecting us with opportunities to expand and evolve.

1. User-Centric Approach: Coming from an architectural background, what captivates us most about the UX industry is the emphasis on understanding and prioritizing user needs. The experience of genuinely viewing design challenges from the user's perspective and formulating solutions is incredibly fascinating. 2. Innovative Atmosphere: The dynamic and innovative culture in the tech industry is exhilarating. Unlike the often slow construction cycles in architecture, the rapid iteration and testing in UX design allow for immediate validation of design outcomes, making it a very scientific and efficient process. 3. Scientific Approach to Design: The methodical and empirical approach of UX design, with its constant testing and iteration, provides a scientific edge that ensures designs are not only creative but also functional and user-friendly.

As a start up based in U.S. Market, we find that the U.S. design industry is distinguished by its rich blend of cultural diversity and innovation. Additionally, it is a hub for technological advancements, which heavily influences design trends and methodologies, which influence our solution- transforming traditional landscape industry with AI and prefabrication technology.

In the next 5-10 years, we anticipate a significant shift towards integrating AI and sustainable practices in the design industry. The focus will be more focused on creating designs that are not only user-centric but also environmentally conscious. Moreover, we expect a burgeoning trend in blending reality with virtual visualization, enhancing the way designers and users interact with and conceptualize spaces.

Good luck! Stay curious, embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. In this field, it's crucial to prioritize the user's needs in every design decision you make. Also, always keep sustainability at the forefront of your work. As you embark on this path, let your designs not just solve problems, but also inspire and push the limits of what's possible.

1. "The Design of Everyday Things" by Don Norman: A must-read for anyone in UX design, this book offers fundamental insights into the cognitive aspects of design and how to make products more intuitive and user-friendly. 2. "Don't Make Me Think" by Steve Krug: This book is a staple for understanding web usability. It's concise, humorous, and packed with practical advice for making websites more accessible and navigable. 3. "Design Disruptors": A fascinating film that explores how design has become a key driver of business success and innovation, featuring insights from top companies like Google, Airbnb, and Netflix.

In our early career, transitioning from architecture to UX design, we faced a significant moment of doubt. We wondered if the architectural background would translate well into the UX world. There were times when this shift felt overwhelming, as we grappled with learning a whole new set of skills and understanding user-centric design principles, which were vastly different from the architectural training. This period was challenging, yet it pushed us to broaden perspective and skill set. It taught us the importance of adaptability and viewing design through a multifaceted lens. This experience, which we haven

At UPenn, we met an extraordinary group of friends and professors whose passion and insights greatly broadened our horizons. The conversations with them enriched our understanding of design and introduced us to philosophical reflections on human-centered design that we might not have encountered in the industry. These interactions and learnings have become the foundation of our design philosophy and continue to inspire our work in UX.

We advise not to overthink at the beginning