Meet Ennis Zhuang | Digital Product & UX Designer

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

Hi Ennis, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I first decided to become a designer because I was fascinated by user psychology. I found it surprisingly fun to notice all the little things people usually miss, like micro-expressions and tiny emotional shifts.
At the same time, I’ve always been passionate about design. I loved drawing ever since I was a kid and naturally grew more and more interested in design.
Over time, I wanted to take it a step further by truly integrating the process of solving user problems into everyday life, making it a natural part of how people live and interact with the world around them.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I believe what truly sets me apart is my logic, design thinking, and business thinking. As a UX designer, I always prioritize the user experience. I understand that while visual appeal is important, beautiful visuals alone do not necessarily solve real problems. I focus on building a solid UX foundation first and then consider the visual aspects, rather than diving deep into visuals without a clear goal like many designers often do.
The journey to where I am today has not been easy. Finding internships, searching for jobs, and constantly revising my portfolio took an incredible amount of time and energy. Even though I love what I do, there were moments when not landing a position made me feel exhausted and discouraged, as if my efforts were not matching the results. To overcome this, I continuously refined my designs, adjusted my job-hunting strategies, and actively sought opportunities to showcase my work to a wider audience.
One of the most important lessons I have learned is that mindset and passion for design are crucial. Today’s market presents significant challenges for designers, with many companies freezing hiring or reducing their design teams. In such an environment, maintaining a positive mindset and a deep love for design often determines whether a designer succeeds.
What I hope the world can recognize through my work is not just my ability to design but also my strong business-oriented thinking. I focus on creating designs that bring real value to both users and businesses. I am passionate about solving real problems through design and delivering experiences that are meaningful and impactful.

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 we had a whole week, I would want the trip to be chill and relaxed. With more time, we could really slow down and experience the world around us. I think Los Angeles would be the perfect place. In such a fast-paced world, taking time to soak in LA’s California vibe, feel the ocean breeze, and enjoy the night views would be really special.
I would definitely focus a lot on food. LA is incredibly diverse, and you can find authentic flavors from all over the world. I would take my friend to try some really good Chinese food, like classic dim sum, Sichuan dishes, or handmade noodles in the San Gabriel Valley. We would also explore some of LA’s amazing street food, from food trucks serving tacos and burgers to small local vendors selling unique snacks. Of course, I would not miss the chance to introduce them to some local favorites, like fresh seafood by the beach or a good old In-N-Out burger.
Besides food, I would take them to experience some of LA’s iconic spots that show off its natural beauty and art scene. We would visit Griffith Observatory to catch the sunset and stargaze, and spend an afternoon at The Getty, enjoying both the art and the gardens. These places let you slow down and appreciate the creative and natural sides of the city.
Overall, the week would be about slowing down, enjoying the vibe, discovering amazing food, and experiencing the mix of cultures and creativity that make LA so special.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
All right, so first and foremost, I want to give a huge shoutout to my family. They have always been there, supporting me unconditionally in pursuing what I love. Although no one in my family had any background in design, they took the time to research, learn, and truly understand the field when they saw how much I loved it. Their encouragement has meant the world to me.
I also want to thank my mentor, Sarah, who guided me into this industry. She taught me one of the most important lessons: that as a digital product designer or UX designer, having a clear, logical mindset is key. She constantly emphasized the importance of being able to clearly identify and solve problems, and she helped me build a strong foundation in structured thinking. She also guided me in understanding how visual design can support and amplify that logic, and how to find and cultivate inspiration. I’m deeply grateful for everything she taught me.
Finally, I want to give a shoutout to myself. I am proud that I stayed passionate about design through every challenge. I never stopped exploring how design can make people’s lives better. I kept pushing myself to think deeper, design smarter, and create solutions that truly matter. It’s my love for design and belief in its impact that keeps driving me forward, and I know this dedication will always be the foundation of my journey.

Website: https://www.enniszhuang.space/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/qiaozhi-zhuang-aa3395259/