Qian Wan: Success is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
UI/UX Designer
by Elizabeth Lavis
|21 Feb 2025
Qian Wan, UI/UX Designer, understands that making it in the design world is a long process that requires a lot of effort and meticulous planning. “My advice for aspiring designers is to plan carefully, take consistent action, and keep in mind that the journey to success is more of a marathon than a sprint,” she says.
For Wan, her journey began when she was very young. “I’ve had a deep love for design, art, and video games since I was a child,” she says. “I enjoyed spending hours drawing, painting, and creating things by hand. As I got older, I realized I wanted to make a career out of design and bring my creative ideas to life.”
Wan tailors her design approach to suit each client’s unique needs, but it generally hinges on a few key preliminary steps. “I identify the problem, do research, set goals, come up with ideas, choose the best concepts, create detailed designs, make prototypes, and develop the final product,” she says.
“I evaluate its performance after the launch and then make improvements as needed. The goal is to create solutions that work well and are innovative, all while meeting the project’s specific objectives.”
"Wel AI", Ruoyong Hong, Qian Wan
She draws inspiration from an unconventional and artistic source: video games. “I’ve lost count of how many times a video game I’ve played has inspired me when I hit a creative block,” she says. “The visuals, interactions, and experiences crafted by some of the world’s most creative minds often offer a limitless well of inspiration. Their work is a testament to boundless creativity and design innovation.”
Wan also finds solace in video games, especially if she’s facing burnout or intense stress. “Don’t push yourself to be creative when you’re feeling pressured,” she says. “Instead, I prefer to step away from the source of stress and engage in a different activity to distract myself, like playing a video game.”
She also relies on careful planning and clear milestones to stave off burnout and get everything done in a timely fashion. “To balance multiple UX design products successfully, prioritize projects based on deadlines and importance, plan your work with clear objectives and schedules, collaborate with others when possible, manage stakeholder expectations, and take regular breaks to avoid overworking yourself,” Wan says. “It’s important to maintain a consistent process, learn to say ‘no’ when necessary, and practice self-care to ensure productivity and well-being.”
Ultimately, what Wan cherished most about her job is the opportunity to merge her passion for design with a deeper purpose, and she believes that her recognition at the Indigo Design Award helps her achieve that balance.
“Receiving an award not only bolsters my credibility with clients and customers but also validates my unwavering commitment to infusing social value into my designs, particularly in the realms of mental health, wellness, and inclusivity,” she says.”This intersection of design excellence and meaningful impact is what truly drives and motivates me in my professional journey.”
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