Ting Chen

I studied drawing and painting since my elementary school, eventually pursuing a degree in printmaking at one of China's top art schools during my undergraduate studies. However, despite my passion for art, I found the physical labor involved in printmaking to be challenging. Working with heavy print machines to produce prints required constant assistance from classmates, which became frustrating.

During that time, I had a close friend studying Graphic Design. Witnessing his ability to craft creative designs and layouts using computers, along with the exposure to innovative concepts from various global countries like Japan, Germany, UK, and the US, deeply intrigued me. Inspired by international designers and the limitless possibilities of graphic design, I made the decision to change my major for my master's degree, eager to explore the dynamic and creative field of Graphic Design further.

I did 2 elective classes to work on projects focused on user-centric design principles during my graphic design studies at Savannah College of Art and Design. These projects exposed me to the importance of understanding user needs, behaviors, and motivations in the design process. It sparked my interest in UX design and planted the seeds for my eventual transition into the field.

Currently, I work as a UX designer at Amazon Web Services and previously worked as a UX manager at Estée Lauder Companies.

I am dedicated to enhancing user satisfaction to an innovative level and ensuring digital products meet users’ needs. With a passion for creativity, I strive to integrate the right technology to innovate and elevate digital products in B2B and B2C e-commerce. My expertise lies in continuously improving usability, productivity and aesthetics, with extensive experience in both e-commerce and Innovation.

Design is about creating solutions that address the needs, preferences, and pain points of users. It involves understanding user problems and designing interfaces that provide intuitive and effective ways to achieve their goals.

I’m passionate about designs where creativity and the right technology come together seamlessly. I love it because it combines creativity with functionality, allowing me to create user experiences that are both beautiful and practical. I am particularly drawn to the challenge of understanding user behavior and translating that into seamless interfaces that solve real problems.

A "good" design, in my view, strikes a balance between intuitive user experience, artistic user interface, and innovative technology to deliver a comprehensive and user-friendly experience.

This idea was inspired by my best friend, part of the LGBTQ community, who loves festive events and dressing up but struggles with makeup application as a guy. He often seeks my advice, and we research on Pinterest, Google, and YouTube, but resources for Asian men are limited.

Noticing a lack of makeup tutorials for men, especially Asian men, highlighted a need for more inclusive support to boost confidence through makeup in the LGBTQ community.

Chinese cultural heritage profoundly impacts my design process. Growing up immersed in Chinese culture, I’ve been inspired by its rich artistic traditions, such as calligraphy, traditional painting, and architectural design. These influences guide me to emphasize balance, harmony, and simplicity in my designs.

Winning the London Design Awards is a significant milestone for me. It validates my commitment to pushing the boundaries of design and highlights the high standards I strive to maintain. This recognition not only boosts credibility but also energizes me to explore new creative possibilities.

Presto is a mobile app designed to offer personalized beauty recommendations tailored to the unique facial attributes of individuals within the LGBTQ community, particularly individuals who wish to feminize their masculine facial features, or adding artistic makeup into their everyday presentation. The goal is to offer accessible resources and guidance that facilitate a deeper understanding of facial attributes and makeup techniques tailored to individual needs and preferences. Through education and support, Presto strives to promote self-expression and inclusivity within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.

The most challenging part was engaging recurring target users. I initially reached out to 10 potential male users for interviews, assuming this would provide enough high-level context. However, during these discussions, I discovered that some participants did not apply makeup at all, while others used it regularly. Only 3 were passionate about makeup and wanted to learn more. I had to leverage more platforms and resources to understand user’s needs and pain points in this topic.

I am incredibly grateful for this recognition. It reinforces my dedication to innovation and excellence in design. This award will inspire me to set new goals, seek out exciting opportunities, and continue creating designs that resonate and make an impact.

It would be creative freedom and innovation, impact on everyday life and collaboration and diversity.

I ensure my design approach aligns with evolving user preferences by combining user-centric methodologies with continuous iteration.

I place a strong emphasis on conducting regular user testing sessions to gather feedback on our eCommerce websites and apps. These sessions provide invaluable insights into how shoppers interact with our platforms, allowing us to identify pain points, preferences, and areas for improvement.

I leverage data analytics tools to analyze user behavior and engagement metrics, such as click-through rates, bounce rates, and conversion rates. By identifying patterns and trends in user interactions, we can make informed decisions about optimizing the user experience.

Staying informed about industry trends and competitor offerings is essential for understanding evolving shopper preferences. I regularly conduct market research to benchmark our designs against industry best practices and identify emerging trends that may influence our approach.

I see the growing need in areas like AI, Smart Home and IoT Devices, and international e-commerce in the next 5-10 years. These fields present exciting opportunities to create user-centric, innovative solutions that address emerging challenges and enhance user experiences.

AI has been a hot topic in the past few years. Designing interfaces that make AI-driven features intuitive and beneficial for users will be crucial. This includes simplifying user interactions with AI systems and making the technology transparent and trustworthy. UX designers will need to create experiences that leverage AI to deliver personalized content and recommendations, enhancing user engagement and satisfaction.

The proliferation of smart home devices and the Internet of Things (IoT) is driving demand for UX designers who can create cohesive and intuitive experiences across connected devices. Designing user experiences for fitness trackers and other personal IoT devices that interact with broader ecosystems.

International e-commerce has seen substantial growth post-COVID, driving a high demand for UX designers. Advances in international shipping, last-mile delivery, and logistics technology are making cross-border trade more efficient and dependable.

My advice is to always put the user at the center of your design process. Award-winning designs often excel because they solve real problems and provide meaningful experiences. Invest time in understanding your users' needs, behaviors, and pain points through research and testing. Create designs that are intuitive, accessible, and genuinely beneficial to your audience.

For someone looking to improve their skills in design, I recommend starting with online courses to build a solid foundation. Reading books like ‘Don’t Make Me Think’ can deepen your understanding of usability and user experience. Additionally, participating in design communities such as Dribbble, Awwwards and engaging in challenges like Daily UI can provide practical experience and feedback.

I recall working on this project during the Christmas season 2023. While others were enjoying time with loved ones, I found myself in my small NYC studio, fully immersed in the work. Uncertain of where it would lead, I shared the concept with a design friend, only to receive feedback that it wasn't well-received. At that moment, doubt crept in, tempting me to abandon the project. However, I chose to persevere. When I later received two awards for the project, I reflected on the journey. I felt grateful for not giving up, for pressing forward despite setbacks. It became the most meaningful Christmas gift of 2023 for me.

Early in my career, I had the privilege of working alongside senior designers and creative directors who mentored me and provided invaluable guidance on UX principles and methodologies. Their expertise and mentorship inspired me to delve deeper into the field of UX design and explore its potential for creating impactful user experiences. The mentorship I received and the collaborative project experiences served as sources of inspiration and motivation as I pursued a career in UX design. They instilled in me a passion for creating meaningful and intuitive user experiences and reinforced the importance of continuous learning and growth in the field.

I would say that learning to ‘Never give up’ was one of the most important lessons I gained . This mindset stems from a transformative experience during my time at SCAD. When I just studied at SCAD, I wasn’t able to communicate fluently in class. I was very behind because I changed my major from Printmaking to Graphic design. Also, that was my first time so far away from home without any family and friends nearby. It was more challenging than I thought and thought about giving up. However, the encouragement from my professors and classmates helped me persevere, working hard and taking small steps forward each day. This support was crucial in overcoming those challenges at that time.