hey this is xumeng (luna) zhang.
a forward-thinking experience designer
MY WAY
I design products with the right level of sophistication for the right people, and I design experiences that inspire positive feelings through social connection.
PAST LEARNINGS
I obtained my bachelor's degree in industrial design from Zhejiang University in China. During the four years of undergraduate study, I have gradually stepped into the boundless discipline of design from the basic aesthetic theory, the application of design software, and how to find and solve problems. It was also at this time that I started to learn to learn design teamwork and the basic process of design thinking. But it was a bit limited in that I can only look at the problem from different angles and seize some obvious design opportunities. I had many opportunities to test ideas through rapid prototyping before developing them into more concrete products. And through studying related work and field observation & interviews, I have also accumulated some experience in the fields of health, social services, and designing engaging experiences. That inspired me to further develop my ability to delve deeper into the real context and design for social connectedness.
WHERE I'M NOW
In my master study, I experimented with various design strategies in different projects. Therefore, I have read a lot of design methodologies and design cases, so that I can choose from different ones and adapt them to the project every time I receive a new challenge. During the two years of study, I have strengthened my viewpoint of supporting social constructionism, and I hope to understand the existing problems and future possibilities from the perspective of social psychology. Reflected in my project, I can see my understanding of social constructionism. The focus on the theme of "connection" and ideas developed through extensive reading of the literature.
Regardless of whether the final project presentation form is an installation art (In Sync), a digital platform (Simul), or a future-oriented VR remote office space (The Transition), these are my thoughts and explorations on the topic of social connection. A lot of qualitative research methods have been used, and I have had a lot of discussions and co-designs with people from different backgrounds and perspectives. The whole process has benefited me a lot, it helps me build a more comprehensive worldview.
Now I'm more confident to say that I can lead the design research process by myself, find a suitable method to make logical and supported design decisions, analyze and dissect the problem step by step, put forward more in-depth problem insights, and conceive Ideas that are both theoretically supported and creative.
Due to my interest in gamification design, I also add a lot of learning and application of game theory to the setting of course learning. The purpose may not be for game design, but to flexibly transfer gamification theory to daily interaction to make things more interesting. This fun can stimulate people's creativity and more interaction between people.
How people's emotions are mobilized by scenes, game processes, and stories, these studies have brought me great help, and I hope to learn more about it in the future. These are the theoretical foundations of my design for positive life experiences.
WHERE AM I HEADING?
During postgraduate studies and internships in companies, I experienced working with people from different academic backgrounds and designers with similar backgrounds. The two modes of cooperation bring about vastly different work experience and work output. This let me understand what kind of team I want to be in in the future and what kind of teamwork model I will to pursue. I like to have two or three designers on the team who can exchange design thoughts frequently, while having enough engineers for technical support and hands-on discussions.
Reflecting on the direction of job hunting in the future, I hope to be in a diversified design-led team to explore and discuss new concepts. I will be looking at service design or experience design studios with a focus on social connection. And I will further develop my skill sets in coding.
STAY TUNED..
