Meet Stella Sizhe Huang | Interaction and User Experience Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stella Sizhe Huang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stella Sizhe, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Earlier in my career, I was deeply committed to advancing quickly, dedicating extensive hours to work because I was eager to learn and grow. However, this intense focus eventually took a toll, leaving me feeling drained and diminishing my effectiveness both personally and professionally. Recognizing the need for change, I adopted what I call a “Theme of the Month” approach to enrich my life outside of work.

Each month, I set a personal goal or theme that ignites my passion—be it learning French in April or baking bread every week in May. This method has not only diversified my interests but also reinvigorated my creativity and productivity. It helps me maintain a healthy separation between work and personal time, ensuring I don’t miss out on the beautiful, often overlooked aspects of life. The satisfaction and fulfillment I gain from these monthly pursuits enhance my enthusiasm and energy at work, contributing to a more balanced and fulfilling life overall.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I began my journey into the world of art and design as a child, cultivating a strong interest that eventually steered me towards studying Industrial Design in China. This field, a blend of design and technology, captivated me, leading to my bachelor’s degree in 2019. As the tech landscape evolved and big tech companies rose to prominence, I found myself drawn to interaction research and design. This interest took me to the ArtCenter College of Design in Media Design Practices, where I deepened my understanding of design methods in emerging technologies and honed my critical frameworks.

Post-graduation, I ventured into UX/UI Design, creating user-centric apps and websites. However, a persistent inner voice urged me to broaden my creative horizons beyond screen-based experiences. This led me to an exciting opportunity in the electric vehicle industry as a Product Designer, where I now design integrated software and hardware interactions, crafting journeys with multiple touchpoints.

The path hasn’t been straightforward. As a first-generation designer and artist, I faced a steep learning curve due to limited resources and guidance. There were moments of feeling lost, like navigating without a map. Yet, the unwavering support from my family, friends, and mentors kept me grounded and motivated.

Career direction was another challenge. During my master’s, I produced speculative projects envisioning futuristic user experiences, while also being drawn to creating market-targeted designs that solve real-world problems. After much reflection and mentorship, I embraced this duality as not just a challenge, but a unique strength that sets me apart.

Today, I’m a Product Designer in the electric vehicle industry, covering all stages of design from concept to execution. I take pride in seeing my designs come to life, enhancing user experiences and promoting a greener, more sustainable future.

My unique approach combines a user-centric methodology with a data-driven strategy, allowing me to empathize deeply with users while aligning design solutions with business goals and technological feasibility. Even when facing pushback from engineers or constraints like tight timelines and technological limitations, I find joy in collaborating to find solutions that satisfy all stakeholders.

Outside of work, my creativity continues to flourish. My side projects have garnered several international awards, including the Red Dot, iF Design, A’ Design, Muse, and European Product Design Awards. I’m also passionate about media art. My projects have been featured at the London Design Festival and NYC Design Festivals.

Through my work and creative endeavors, I strive to solve practical problems and bring joy and sustainability to people’s lives. My goal is to continue pushing the boundaries of design and art, making impactful contributions to a better world. I hope to inspire others by demonstrating that with creativity, resilience, and a user-focused approach, it’s possible to not only navigate but also shape the future of design.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting LA for a week, I’d ensure they experience the city’s vibrant diversity and rich culture, handpicking locations that offer unique perspectives of Los Angeles. We’d start with a brunch at Republique, chosen for its beautiful architecture and French-inspired cuisine, setting a sophisticated tone for the trip. An afternoon at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) would follow, as it showcases an impressive range of artworks, reflecting the city’s diverse artistic influences.

A day dedicated to Hollywood is essential; we’d hike to the Griffith Observatory for its iconic city views and celestial exhibits, embodying LA’s blend of natural beauty and scientific curiosity. Catching a show at the Dolby Theatre would offer a glimpse into the glamor that defines Hollywood.

In Venice, we’d start with breakfast at Gjusta to enjoy local, artisanal foods in a laid-back setting, perfect before a bike ride along the vibrant Venice Beach Boardwalk. Dinner at Cassia would highlight Southeast Asian flavors mixed with Southern California’s ingredients, showcasing LA’s culinary innovation.

Downtown LA would include a visit to The Broad Museum, selected for its contemporary art and striking architecture, illustrating the modern pulse of the city. The food scene exploration at Row DTLA would give a taste of local and international cuisines, reflecting the city’s dynamic and evolving food culture.

Ending the week in Malibu with a sunset dinner at Nobu offers not only upscale dining but also breathtaking ocean views, encapsulating the quintessential Southern California experience. This curated mix of activities is designed to provide a comprehensive LA experience, from its laid-back beaches and iconic entertainment venues to its rich, multifaceted culinary landscape.

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?
Naoto Fukasawa has been a significant influence on my design approach, particularly due to his philosophy of ‘Design without Thought’. Fukasawa’s ethos revolves around the idea that the best designs are those that seamlessly integrate into our lives, becoming almost invisible because of their intuitive nature.

This principle resonates with me deeply. It has encouraged me to always strive for simplicity and to design solutions that effortlessly resonate with users, ensuring that they don’t have to think – they can just feel and use. His work serves as a constant reminder that design should not be intrusive but rather an innate extension of human behavior and environment.

Website: https://www.stellaszh.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_stella.huang

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stella-sizhe-huang-33b0a515b/

Image Credits
Stella Sizhe Huang