By: Katherine Watkins, Xinyue Guo

San Francisco – Yuxin “Sharon” Tao is a name that is swiftly gaining recognition in the design world, thanks to her unique ability to fuse traditional elements with modern design principles. With several years of professional experience spanning FinTech, EdTech, healthcare, and AI industries, and expertise in both B2C and B2B products, Sharon has proven her prowess in solving complex problems and optimizing user needs, business goals, and technological realities. Yet, it was her time studying Animation & Visual Effects at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, after reflecting on her work and experience as a film director in China, that truly laid the foundation for her design philosophy. Here, she honed the skills that would later define her career and lead to her award-winning project, the “XYG Window.”

Sharon’s journey in the world of design began with refined Audio-Visual Language training in Film and Television major at the Communication University of China, where she developed her aesthetic, visual, and storytelling skills. She then honed these skills further as a film director and media content creator at China Media Group (CCTV) for over four years. Following her time in China, Sharon moved to San Francisco to immerse herself in the field of Animation & Visual Effects and motion design at the prestigious Academy of Art University. These experiences were pivotal, shaping her understanding of visual storytelling and the intricate balance between form and function. The Academy’s rigorous curriculum pushed her to explore the boundaries of traditional and digital media, giving her the tools to create designs that are not only visually stunning but also deeply meaningful.

During her time at the Academy, Sharon was exposed to a diverse range of design philosophies and techniques, which allowed her to develop a versatile approach to problem-solving. Her projects often reflected a seamless integration of traditional cultural elements with contemporary design, a theme that would later become a hallmark of her work. This ability to blend the old with the new, coupled with her keen eye for detail, set Sharon apart from her peers and positioned her as a rising star in the design community.

The “XYG Window” project, also known as Wordow, stands as one of Sharon Tao’s celebrated works. This project, which won widespread acclaim, was a collaboration with XYG Studio, a creative design team renowned for its innovative approach to visual identity and interaction design. The Wordow project was more than just a design task; it was a deep exploration of the essence of Chinese traditional culture, reinterpreted through a modern lens.

Inspired by ancient Chinese literati seal fonts and the intricate window designs of Suzhou’s classical gardens, Sharon and her team at XYG Studio sought to create a visual identity that was both a nod to tradition and a statement of modern simplicity. The design process involved deconstructing the founder’s name into strokes and reconstructing them using seal script fonts. This approach not only paid homage to classical aesthetics but also resulted in a modern, geometric form that is both unique and timeless.

One of the striking aspects of the XYG Window project is its use of positive and negative space, a concept rooted in Eastern philosophy’s yin and yang principles. This approach was used to create intuitive and hierarchical navigation buttons on the XYG Studio website, enhancing the user experience by making it both visually appealing and easy to navigate. The design’s elegance lies in its simplicity, yet it is rich with cultural significance, providing users with a profound experience that transcends mere functionality.

The success of the Wordow project was not only due to Sharon’s creative vision but also her ability to collaborate effectively with engineers and other stakeholders. As the interaction and interface designer, Sharon worked closely with the engineering team to aim that the design was not only aesthetically pleasing but also technically sound. This collaboration was essential in bringing the design to life, aiming that the final product was both aesthetically pleasing and highly functional.

Sharon’s commitment to a user-centered design process was evident throughout the Wordow project. She seamlessly blended traditional Chinese cultural elements with contemporary design principles, conducting in-depth market research and user interviews to gather insights that informed every design decision. Post-launch, Sharon actively collected user feedback to refine the design, demonstrating her dedication to an iterative process. This meticulous approach resulted in a visual identity that honored Chinese cultural heritage while exceeding modern user expectations. The Wordow project was lauded for its innovative use of traditional elements in a modern context, earning high praise within the industry and attracting a substantial number of potential clients.

While the XYG Window project stands out as a pinnacle of Sharon’s design career, it is just one example of her ability to create designs that resonate with users and meet business goals. Throughout her career, Sharon has consistently demonstrated her expertise in UX/UI design, product design, and digital design, leading projects that have significantly improved user satisfaction and business outcomes.

In her role as a Product Designer at Clearnomics, Sharon led end-to-end design projects for both B2C and B2B products, resulting in a significant increase in advisor satisfaction scores and a significant boost in sales team deals. Her work at Parsnip.ai saw similar success, with her redesign of the sign-up experience leading to a significant increase in sign-up rates. These achievements underscore Sharon’s ability to leverage her design skills to drive tangible business results.

Sharon Tao’s journey from being a film director in China to her current role as a Data-driven Product Designer is a testament to her talent, creativity, and dedication to her craft. Her work on the XYG Window project exemplifies her unique ability to blend tradition with modernity, creating designs that are not only visually stunning but also deeply meaningful. As she continues to push the boundaries of design, there is no doubt that Sharon Tao will remain a force to be reckoned with in the world of design

Published By: Aize Perez