Merging UX and Art to Create Meaningful Experiences

Interview with Ye Yolanda Tian

1. Please tell us something about your background and your art journey so far.

I grew up in an artist family in Beijing - my grandpa is a painter. I was surrounded by paintings, crafts, and conversations about creativity. That environment gave me a natural curiosity for how art can shape people’s lives. When I attended college, my major was in Industrial Design, which gave me a structured way of thinking about 3D objects’ form and function. Later, I moved to New York to study UX Design at Pratt Institute, where I began exploring how design intersects with technology and human experience. While I’ve built my career as a product designer in healthcare tech, I’ve always seen my work as part of a broader artistic practice - finding beauty in clarity, empathy, and storytelling. Over the past few years, I’ve also started creating digital art projects that explore AI and interaction. One of them, Lexi, has been exhibited with The Holy Art and has received several design awards such as London Design Awards, NYX Awards, UX Design Awards, etc.

2. Describe what a normal day looks like as an artist.

My days are a blend of structure and exploration. In the morning, I usually focus on my professional design work, collaborating closely with product managers and engineers. This part of the day is about solving real problems, balancing user needs with business goals, and making sure every detail aligns with the bigger vision. Later in the day, I carve out quieter time for myself. That might mean brainstorming a new idea, experimenting with AI-generated early-stage solutions, or refining concepts into polished deliverables.

I often think about the difference between being a designer and being an artist. As a designer, I’m constantly considering other people’s pain points, frustrations, and wishes. My role is not only to create but also to listen, interpret, and build solutions that serve others. As an artist, expression is more personal—it’s about speaking my own ideas freely. In my day-to-day design work, I actually “argue” with collaborators quite a bit. Those debates can be intense, but I believe the best ideas often emerge from disagreement. It’s a process I genuinely enjoy, because it pushes me to see problems from new perspectives and reach solutions that are stronger than any single individual could create alone.

3. Can you tell us more about the theme in your art and your inspiration?

The core theme in my art is human-centered design. My inspiration comes directly from the people I’m designing for, the end users. For each project, I usually invite dozens of users into live interviews, creating a space where they can share their confusions, needs, and suggestions. I take their feedback seriously and use it as the foundation for my creative process. By addressing their input, I aim to design interfaces that feel more intuitive and accessible. After developing a solution, I always return to the users, presenting my designs to evaluate how helpful and meaningful they are, and then close the feedback loop. In this way, my art isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about creating experiences that empower people, solve real problems, and highlight the beauty of collaboration between design and lived experience.

4. How does your art life impact other parts of your life?

Art gives me a sense of balance. My design work is often about problem-solving under real-world constraints, but when I am practicing art or doing my own passion projects, it allows me to step back, experiment, and ask bigger questions. It makes me more empathetic, more observant, and more patient in all areas of my life. It also keeps me connected to a global community of creatives, which constantly broadens my perspective.

5. Could you share any difficulties and hardships you had to face in life and how or if you managed/overcame them?

One of the biggest challenges was moving abroad for the first time from Beijing to New York. It was exciting, but also overwhelming - navigating language barriers, cultural differences, and the feeling of being far from home. I often doubted myself, especially when I compared my journey to others who seemed more confident or established. What helped me overcome this was leaning into curiosity instead of fear, and fully believing in myself. I reminded myself that every struggle was a chance to learn something new. Over time, those difficulties became the foundation of my resilience.

6. Tell us about your best experience in the art world so far.

After stepping into the UX/Product Design industry, I initially saw my work mostly as deliverables - tools to meet business goals. But over time, I began to reflect on the deeper purpose of design, and I realized that design has the power to truly change the world and create positive social impact. That shift in perspective inspired me to explore how I could create beyond the workplace and design with a broader mission in mind. One of my best experiences was seeing Lexi exhibited at The Holy Art in London. It was unforgettable - my first time having work displayed in a gallery setting alongside other inspiring artists. Watching visitors interact with the visuals and engage with me through their questions was incredibly meaningful. In that moment, I felt that design could transcend industry boundaries, inspiring not just designers but also general artists. It gave me a sense that I’m on the right path = using creativity to contribute to society and build solutions that matter.

7. Share your worst experience in the art world.

With the rise of AI, many people have started to undervalue original creativity. Too often, I see work simply copied from Pinterest or generated through AI tools, rather than investing in the vision and skill of a true artist. I don’t blame AI itself. In fact, I believe AI can be an incredibly helpful, especially in making knowledge and education more accessible. But when it comes to art, I encourage people to pause and reflect on the difference between mimicry and genuine creativity. What worries me most is the possibility that people’s tastes and imaginations may become narrow if they only consume what’s algorithmically generated or recycled from what already exists. Art should always be about exploration, diversity of style, and pushing boundaries. I hope we continue to embrace and support human creativity, because that’s what keeps the art world vibrant, meaningful, and alive.

8. What practical advice can you give to fellow artists?

Just keep experimenting. In the UX design industry, we often talk about the idea of an ‘MVP’, a minimum viable product. The same mindset applies to art: don’t wait until something feels ‘perfect’ before you share it with the world. Opportunities often come from simply putting your work out there, even in its rougher forms. This year, I have 3 upcoming exhibitions in less than 3 months, something I never would have imagined. I was honestly surprised that my design work was accepted into several art galleries. But none of that would have happened if I hadn’t taken the first step of applying to open calls, even when I doubted myself. So, don’t hold back.

9. Is the artist life lonely? Please share your thoughts and experiences.

It can be, especially now I’m the only designer within a startup company. But I don’t see loneliness as entirely negative. Solitude is often where ideas take shape. At the same time, I try to balance it with connection, meeting other designers in New York, attending meetup events, or simply talking with co-workers and friends from different backgrounds about design thinking.

10. What are you working on at the moment and are there any upcoming events you would like to talk about?

Having worked in the healthcare tech industry for four and a half years, I may have since transitioned into the construction industry, but my passion for healthcare and wellness has never left me - partly inspired by my mom, who is a doctor. Right now, I’m working on two healthcare related projects. The first is LastMinute, a seed-stage startup focused on streamlining shift management in hospital systems. The second is SipControl, a side project designed to help people reduce alcohol consumption and improve mental health. SipControl will also be featured in three upcoming gallery exhibitions, which I’m very excited about. Winning awards along the way has been encouraging, but what excites me most is creating work that sparks curiosity, dialogue, and hopefully makes a positive impact.

Website : https://yolandatian.framer.website/

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/yolanda-tian/