We had the good fortune of connecting with Ziyi Zhou and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ziyi, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Opting for a creative career was an organic choice for me. From a young age, I harbored a deep-seated passion for artistic expression and creativity. Concurrently, my attraction to the problem-solving aspect of the creative process has been a driving force. The thrill of unraveling inventive solutions to real-world challenges is an experience like no other. As a creative professional, I derive profound fulfillment from the capacity to translate concepts into tangible realities, actively participating in addressing issues for both individuals and society as a whole.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a passionate UI/UX/product designer, my journey spans diverse projects in user-centered design, interaction design, and industrial design, collaborating with Fortune 500 companies, startups, and non-profits. My educational background from the Art Center College of Design and UC Berkeley has equipped me to construct holistic systems around products, driven by a belief in design’s transformative power to address social issues.

These accolades further underscore my commitment to excellence in design. During my academic years, I faced challenges as one of the youngest in programs attracting experienced individuals, but I persevered. Today, I’m proud of the positive results, embodying a brand and story that seamlessly blend creativity with a commitment to addressing real-world challenges through impactful design solutions, contributing to both aesthetics and functionality. Now, my design work has garnered international recognition with awards such as the A’ Design Award, C2A Design Award, Muse Award, and more.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting the area, I would definitely take them to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). LACMA is one of the most renowned and captivating art museums in Los Angeles, boasting an extensive collection that spans various periods and cultures in art history. We would explore artworks from classical to contemporary, immersing ourselves in the unique and diverse artistic atmosphere of the city.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to extend my gratitude to two pivotal entities in my journey – the University of California, Berkeley, and the Art Center College of Design. It is the educators at these institutions who instilled in me a human-centric approach to design, shaping my creative experience profoundly. Additionally, I owe a tremendous debt of thanks to my parents, whose unwavering support has been a constant force behind my decisions. Their encouragement has played a crucial role in my path, and I am truly grateful for their enduring belief in my pursuits.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zzhou01/

Image Credits
Ziyi Zhou

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