Qianyu Liang

I decided to submit my work because I wanted to share it with a wider audience and see how it stands in a global creative space. For me, it’s not just about the project itself, but about showing how research and design can create real impact. Winning means a lot to me. On a personal level, it feels like recognition of the hard work and challenges I’ve overcome. On a professional level, it gives me greater confidence and motivation to keep pushing my work forward and exploring new opportunities.

The story behind my success comes from wanting to solve real problems I kept encountering in my work as a researcher. I noticed how often teams struggled to connect user insights with business or design decisions, and that inspired me to create a solution that makes research more transparent, visual, and practical. What this represents in today’s industry is the growing need for tools and practices that bridge gaps—between data and decisions, between speed and depth, and between creativity and rigor. It shows that research is no longer just about reports; it’s about creating systems and experiences that empower teams to act quickly and confidently.

What set my project apart is that the pain points came directly from my own real experiences at work. I wasn’t just imagining problems—I had lived them, which gave me a grounded understanding of what solutions were actually needed. At the same time, I brought my background as a researcher into the process. I used the same rigor I apply in user research to shape the project—building a clear framework, testing ideas carefully, and ensuring every feature connected back to real user needs. This combination of firsthand experience and research-driven design helped the project stand out in a highly competitive field.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was that I hadn’t done design work for some time. It took me a while to get back into it and regain familiarity with the tools and processes. At first, it felt slow and even frustrating, but I reminded myself that the learning curve was part of the journey. What helped me overcome it was approaching it the same way I approach research—step by step, with patience and curiosity. I set aside extra time to re-learn the basics, sought feedback whenever possible, and treated it as an opportunity to grow new skills. In the end, that experience not only helped me complete the project but also gave me more confidence to step beyond my comfort zone.

Winning this award has given me greater confidence and visibility as a researcher. For my career, I hope it opens new opportunities to collaborate and take on projects with broader impact. For my team and company, I see it as recognition that our work can stand out not only internally but also on a global stage. I’ve already noticed growing curiosity about my project, with more people wanting to hear the story behind it. That kind of attention creates opportunities for new conversations, partnerships, and ways to take the work even further.

Honestly, I haven’t even told my co-workers yet—I’m secretly hoping to aim for an even higher prize before I “show off” to them! But for the people who do know, the reaction has been really encouraging. Friends and peers have told me it’s inspiring to see research work recognized in a creative award space, and that kind of feedback motivates me even more.

My advice would be to start from something real. The strongest projects often come from your own lived experiences or the pain points you’ve witnessed up close. That’s what makes the work authentic and easier for others to connect with.

I see the creative industry moving faster than ever, especially with AI and new tools transforming how we work. To me, this is both exciting and challenging—it pushes us to adapt while opening doors to new ways of creating and connecting ideas. In the future, I hope to position myself at the intersection of research, design, and technology. I want to continue bringing rigor and human-centered thinking into these evolving spaces, ensuring that creativity remains meaningful and impactful—not just trendy.

I’d say—just go for it. You don’t need to wait until everything feels perfect. Even with limited experience, putting your work out there is already a big step, and competitions are a great way to learn how to present your ideas clearly. The process itself builds confidence. You start to see your project from new angles, and sometimes the feedback or recognition you receive surprises you. Whether you win or not, you gain practice, visibility, and momentum—and that’s the real value of participating. It keeps you growing and moving forward.

Creativity doesn’t happen in a vacuum—it grows when we exchange ideas, share honest feedback, and celebrate each other’s wins.

I’d like to dedicate this achievement to my designer friends. They not only gave me valuable feedback and suggestions along the way but, more importantly, gave me the confidence to keep moving forward. Their support reminded me that creativity is never a solo journey, and having people who believe in you makes all the difference.

My entry is a research-driven creative tool that transforms real pain points into clear, visual, and actionable insights—because I believe the best design begins with genuine problems and leads to meaningful impact.

Next, I want to keep building on this momentum. I’m working on projects that combine research, design, and AI, and I’m excited to explore how they can make problem-solving more accessible for both teams and users. One of my goals is also to share more of my work with the community—through talks, writing, and collaborations—so that the impact extends beyond a single project.