For Yingxiao Ouyang, the best way to differentiate yourself in the world of design is by solving problems you care deeply about.” After working in the industry for six years, I found that almost every designer has different skill sets,” she says. “Solving problems that we deeply care about is a door to who we want to be in the future.”

Ouyang comes from China and believes that her cultural roots have profoundly shaped her design. “In China, people value each other’s feelings and take care of each other. That has become part of me, regardless of where I travel.” She first discovered her love of design while applying for college. “I was very attracted to the idea that design is a bridge between arts and technology,” Ouyang says. “I thought that was super cool. In my studio classes, I was required to come up with a problem statement and solutions. I became very interested in drawing flow charts, journey mapping, and storyboards, which led me to become a UX designer.”