Bridging Humanity and Technology: The Evolving Design Journey of Minzhou Wang
Photo Courtesy: Minzhou Wang

Bridging Humanity and Technology: The Evolving Design Journey of Minzhou Wang

By: Anne Schulze

Minzhou Wang’s design practice stems from a deep interest in the complex relationship between human behavior and technology. Her academic journey at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) laid a solid foundation for her career. There, she not only mastered core skills in user experience and interaction design but also learned how to express her thoughts and innovative ideas through design language. Her work aims to go beyond functional requirements to explore the interactions between people and technology. Through a keen focus on understanding user behavior and needs, Minzhou strives to transform complex technologies into intuitive and user-friendly solutions, demonstrating her unique perspective on integrating technology and humanity.

This design philosophy is reflected in the CitiFix project. CitiFix is an application designed to help citizens report infrastructure issues, such as road damage, lighting problems, and vegetation concerns. Through in-depth research into user needs, Minzhou designed an interface that is both easy to navigate and functionally comprehensive, enabling users to conveniently submit reports and track progress in real-time. The project has the potential to improve the efficiency of municipal services while enhancing community engagement and satisfaction. CitiFix was recognized for its innovation and social value, earning a 2024 UX Design Award nomination and the London Design Awards, serving as an example of the integration of technology and public service.

Bridging Humanity and Technology: The Evolving Design Journey of Minzhou Wang
Photo Courtesy: Minzhou Wang

In the design of the OG Series mechanical keyboard, Minzhou further demonstrated her ability to combine market needs with technological innovation. Through market research, she identified that FL ESPORTS’ user base was primarily esports players, leaving the non-gaming market underexplored. She positioned the OG Series as a breakthrough product, integrating wireless connectivity and low-power optimization to achieve an impressive 400-day battery life, catering to the needs of modern device users. The design retains the classic aesthetic of retro mechanical keyboards while incorporating ergonomic enhancements for greater comfort and durability. The keyboard not only attracted esports players but also successfully expanded into the office and casual user markets. Since its launch, the OG Series has been sold in countries such as China, the United States, South Korea, and Ukraine, with cumulative sales exceeding 10,000 units. Its success helped strengthen FL ESPORTS’ brand influence and supported its international expansion. The project also earned Minzhou the 2024 MUSE Design Awards, highlighting her expertise in user experience design.

Bridging Humanity and Technology: The Evolving Design Journey of Minzhou Wang
Photo Courtesy: Minzhou Wang

Minzhou also showcased her exceptional creative skills in visual design. She led FL Esport’s “Under One Person” IP collaboration project, blending brand identity with cultural elements from the IP to create a distinctive and appealing limited-edition mechanical keyboard. Featuring unique designs and meticulous details, the limited edition quickly sold out with 4,000 units, attracting a younger audience and setting a notable precedent for the brand’s cross-industry collaborations. This project highlights Minzhou’s expertise in integrating visual design with branding strategy.

Minzhou’s design expertise is recognized not only in commercial projects but also in the international design and art community. Her works have received prestigious awards such as the MUSE Design Awards, UX Design Awards, and A’ Design Awards. Additionally, her research has been featured in prominent exhibitions across the United States, France, and other countries, including “Utopia: International A’ Design 40×40 Exhibition | Ecotopia,” the “2024 UWEE International Art Exhibition ‘One World-One Future,’” and “On the Critical Point: Wanderlust and Nostalgia in the New Age.” These achievements illustrate her growing influence in the field of design, reflecting her commitment to driving social progress through her work.

Currently, Minzhou serves as a UX/UI Designer at Husqvarna’s North American headquarters, focusing on residential and commercial robotic mowers in the Forest and Garden division. She has led the user experience design for the upcoming 2025 Automower® iQ Series and is actively developing user research methodologies tailored to the North American market. Through her efforts, she has contributed to reshaping Husqvarna’s user research and design processes, working to make complex technologies intuitive and accessible solutions that deliver notable value to diverse user groups.

Bridging Humanity and Technology: The Evolving Design Journey of Minzhou Wang
Photo Courtesy: Minzhou Wang / Husqvarna

Looking ahead, Minzhou aims to foster deeper emotional connections between people and technology through design. She believes the essence of design lies in understanding and respecting the diversity of users. Whether addressing personalized needs or exploring new interaction paradigms, designers must approach the world with a broad perspective. She plans to expand her expertise further by incorporating artificial intelligence, sustainability, and multicultural influences into her practice, creating forward-thinking and socially impactful design solutions. Minzhou aspires to demonstrate that design has the power to improve lives, advance society, and inspire global dialogue—a vision she seeks to realize through her future work.

 

Published by Nicholas A.

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