By: Press Room
New York, NY – Wen Xie, a name that has become synonymous with innovation and excellence in product design, is leading the charge in digital transformation. Currently a Senior Product Designer at FanDuel, Xie focuses on responsible gaming products, ensuring that technology and ethics go hand in hand. We had the opportunity to sit down with Wen Xie to discuss his journey, achievements, and his forward-looking insights into the future of digital transformation and his career.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in design?
Wen Xie: My journey into design began at Staffordshire Business School, where I had the chance to work with big companies like Oppo and Apple, providing digital transformation plans from a business perspective. This experience gave me a solid foundation in understanding how technology can drive business growth and efficiency. Later, my time at the SVA MFA Products of Design department allowed me to combine my business acumen with design skills, excelling in the world of product design. This unique combination of business and design has positioned me perfectly at the intersection of these fields, enabling me to approach digital transformation with a holistic perspective. My professional journey continued to evolve with roles at L’Oréal, NIO, and now FanDuel, each providing unique challenges and opportunities to apply and expand my expertise in digital transformation.
Q: Your work has been recognized with various awards and features. Can you share some highlights?
Wen Xie: While my main focus is always on the impact of the work rather than the accolades, some highlights include designing the driving experience for NIO’s new energy smart cars, which won an iF Design Award. At L’Oréal, I led the transition of offline shopping experiences to the e-commerce platform on WeChat Mini Program, pioneering the design of YSL’s beauty e-commerce Mini Program with an AR virtual try-on feature. Currently, at FanDuel, I’m focused on responsible gaming products, ensuring our digital solutions promote healthy user behaviors. These projects reaffirm my belief in the potential of thoughtful and innovative design.
Q: Digital transformation is a big focus for you. Can you elaborate on this?
Wen Xie: Digital transformation is at the heart of what I do. It’s about leveraging technology to create more efficient, effective, and engaging experiences for users. For example, at L’Oréal, I spearheaded the transition of offline shopping experiences to the e-commerce platform on WeChat Mini Program. By integrating AR technology, I designed a virtual try-on feature for YSL’s beauty products, allowing users to virtually try on products and share their experiences within WeChat’s social network. This innovation not only enhanced customer satisfaction but also significantly reduced product returns.
At NIO, I designed the driving experience for their new energy smart cars, winning an iF Design Award. This project involved creating an intuitive, user-friendly interface that leveraged advanced digital technologies to enhance the driving experience.
At FanDuel, we utilize a wide range of technologies, including recommendation engines and metadata, to enhance responsible gaming. These technologies provide better insights and controls for users, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable gaming environment. By leveraging these tools, we can anticipate and prevent problem gaming behaviors more effectively than traditional offline methods. Digital transformation enables us to rethink and redesign user experiences in ways that were previously unimaginable.
Q: What excites you most about the future of digital transformation?
Wen Xie: The future of digital transformation is incredibly exciting. Technologies like recommendation engines and metadata analysis are just the beginning. I see a future where these technologies are seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, creating experiences that are not only more engaging but also more meaningful. At FanDuel, we’re at the forefront of exploring these possibilities to enhance responsible gaming. Additionally, the continuous advancements in AI and machine learning offer new ways to personalize and improve user experiences on a scale we’ve never seen before.
Q: Any advice for aspiring designers who want to focus on digital transformation?
Wen Xie: My advice would be to stay curious and always put the user at the center of your design process. Empathy is crucial in understanding the real needs and challenges people face. Also, never underestimate the power of collaboration. Some of the best ideas come from working with others and combining different perspectives. Embrace digital transformation and stay ahead of technological trends to keep your designs relevant and forward-thinking. Always be ready to learn and adapt, as the digital landscape is constantly evolving.
Q: What’s next for you in your career?
Wen Xie: In the short term, I will continue to work with FanDuel on responsible gaming initiatives. Designing healthy gaming experiences is a new frontier in digital transformation, and I am committed to pioneering this area. The rapid development of AI and metadata offers unprecedented opportunities to create a safer, more enjoyable gaming environment. Gambling addiction is recognized as a mental health issue by the WHO, with 2.5 million Americans affected. My work at FanDuel is driven by a strong sense of responsibility and the knowledge that I am contributing to mental health and user well-being. Responsible gaming is not limited to the gambling industry; as digital technology advances, screen time increases, leading to potential addiction to social media and games, especially among teenagers. Our research and design applications can significantly improve digital product experiences, promoting healthier habits and protecting users.
In the long term, I aim to continue innovating and conducting research to stay at the forefront of emerging trends and technologies. Expanding into new markets and geographies, integrating sustainability and corporate social responsibility into future activities, and maintaining a customer-centric approach are also key goals. Collaborating with industry partners to develop innovative solutions and create shared value is another important aspect of my long-term vision. By focusing on these areas, I hope to drive growth, innovation, and positive societal impact.
Wen Xie continues to inspire with his innovative approach to design, consistently demonstrating that thoughtful, user-centric solutions can make a significant difference in the world. As he looks to the future, his work in digital transformation promises to shape the next generation of design and technology. To learn more about Wen Xie and his work, visit his personal website at wenxdesign.com.
Published by: Martin De Juan
