Fang Xu, Xuan Shen, Yongwen Dai

Specialized in Mobile Design.

Fang Xu, Xuan Shen, Yongwen Dai

About Fang Xu, Xuan Shen, Yongwen Dai

This group is a collective of independent designers based in cities across the United States, brought together by a shared commitment to responsible and thoughtful design. While working at leading U.S. tech companies, they collaborate across locations to explore meaningful ideas. Their work has received international recognition over the past two years, including honors from the iF Design Award, UX Design Awards, and NY Design Awards. Their design approach stands out for its thoughtful balance between intuitive interaction and visual simplicity, creating solutions that require minimal learning curve for users.

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Mobile Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs
  • Mobile
Sharge Private EV Charging Pile Sharing APP

Sharge Private EV Charging Pile Sharing APP

Mobile Design

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Interview with Fang Xu, Xuan Shen, Yongwen Dai

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
We come from architectural backgrounds, trained in spatial reasoning, user-centered design, and system thinking. Over time, our shared passion for emerging technologies and sustainable innovation led us to the world of interaction design. Our transition into digital product design was a natural evolution—one where we could apply our analytical and creative skills to real-world problems. Designing Sharge was not just a product exercise; it was an interdisciplinary venture that combined architecture, human behavior, and energy infrastructure.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
We are an independent design collective of three designers based in US with international training. While not a formal company yet, we operate as a collaborative team, driven by a shared mission: to use design as a catalyst for sustainable transformation. Sharge is our flagship project, born from our combined efforts and deep commitment to the environment and social good.
What is "design" for you?
Design is the bridge between vision and reality. It's not just about aesthetics or function—it's about creating systems and experiences that improve lives, ‘debug’ real problems, and enhance sustainability. For us, design is both a responsibility and an opportunity to shape the future we want to live in.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
We’re drawn to complex, socially impactful projects—particularly those that intersect with environmental issues, technology, and urban life. Whether it’s a digital interface or a physical system, we enjoy designing tools that drive behavioral change and promote collective well-being.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
Sharge is undoubtedly our most cherished work. It embodies everything we believe in—technological innovation, sustainability, and community empowerment. It transforms private EV charging piles into accessible public infrastructure through a shared-economy model, offering both environmental and economic benefits.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
Our first collaborative project was a conceptual design for a smart urban streetlight system during our university days, integrating lighting, data sensing, and solar energy to enhance walkability and safety in urban neighborhoods.
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
We love working with cross-platform AI agents that expand the creative boundaries of designers. Tools like Figma’s Multi-Agent Collaboration Protocol (MCP) combined with Cursor enable us to rapidly prototype with code. We also leverage generative tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney for ideation and visuals, and platforms like Kelin for video generation. These technologies dramatically extend what designers can achieve—allowing us to move faster, prototype smarter, and explore more ambitious ideas across media.
When do you feel the most creative?
When we’re immersed in real-world problems and inspired by the people we’re designing for. Creativity flourishes in constraints—when we’re balancing user needs, technical limitations, and societal goals.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
We prioritize intuitive usability above all. A design should feel effortless—users should immediately understand how to interact with it without instruction. We invest heavily in simplifying interactions, reducing cognitive load, and aligning with natural user behaviors to ensure clarity and confidence from the first click.
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
Excitement, curiosity, and a deep sense of purpose. Each design decision feels like a small step toward a better world.
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
Pride and responsibility. Seeing users engage with something we’ve created—and knowing it makes their life easier or more sustainable—is an incredibly rewarding feeling.
What makes a design successful?
A successful design balances functionality, usability, and impact. It aligns with user needs while contributing positively to its ecosystem—socially, environmentally, or economically.
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
User experience and clarity of purpose. If a design solves a real problem effectively, delights the user, and scales responsibly, it’s a good design.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Designers hold the power to influence behavior and shape systems. We believe it is our duty to consider environmental impact, inclusivity, and social equity in every project we take on.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
The design field is evolving into a catalyst for cross-disciplinary innovation—integrating AI, data, ethics, and systems thinking. The future of design lies not just in crafting interfaces, but in shaping intelligent, adaptive systems that amplify human capability. Designers must go beyond aesthetics to architect experiences, policies, and futures that are ethical, inclusive, and sustainable at scale.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
Our latest exhibition was the iF Design Award winners' showcase in Germany. We are currently planning to participate in upcoming innovation and sustainability-themed exhibitions in Asia and Europe. We hope to host our own event in the near future to highlight the intersection of design and clean energy.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
Our inspiration comes from observing people, urban systems, and untapped potential in existing infrastructures. We also draw ideas from architecture, behavioral science, nature, and speculative futures. Collaboration and dialogue with users are key to how we generate ideas.
How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
Our style is minimalist, purposeful, and systemic. It combines architectural clarity with digital intuitiveness. We focus on clean layouts, clear interactions, and meaningful features that serve real-world needs without excess.
Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
I live on the West Coast of the U.S., where collaboration is a core cultural value. This environment fosters open dialogue, shared problem-solving, and cross-functional teamwork. Being immersed in such a setting has shaped my design approach to be more inclusive, cooperative, and oriented toward collective progress.
How do you work with companies?
We collaborate with companies as design strategists, bridging user needs and technical possibilities. We use research-driven methods to align business goals with human-centered outcomes, often acting as both designers and consultants.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
Trust your designers and involve them early. Good design is not just visual—it’s strategic. Companies should prioritize openness, user validation, and long-term thinking when working with designers.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
Our process is iterative and research-led. We start by understanding the users and context through interviews and data. We move quickly into prototyping, testing, and refining. Collaboration, feedback, and adaptability are integral at every stage.
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
A rechargeable lamp with gesture control. A Japanese ceramic tea set—elegant and balanced. A minimalist calendar planner. A folding chair inspired by Bauhaus aesthetics. A paper sculpture that reminds us of design's poetic side.
Can you describe a day in your life?
Our days often start with syncing as a team—sharing thoughts, challenges, and inspirations. Mornings are for focused design work, afternoons for testing and feedback loops. Evenings are when new ideas often emerge, sometimes while sketching, walking, or reflecting.
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Design with intent, not trend. Stay curious. Don’t be afraid of complexity—embrace it and simplify it. Collaborate widely, critique generously, and always consider the long-term social and environmental impacts of your work.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
The positive: you get to shape the future and improve lives. The negative: design is often undervalued or misunderstood in business contexts. It takes resilience to keep advocating for thoughtful, impactful design.
What is your "golden rule" in design?
Design for people, planet, and possibility. If a design helps even one person live better and more sustainably, it's worth pursuing.
What skills are most important for a designer?
Empathy, systems thinking, storytelling, and adaptability. Technical proficiency matters, but the ability to translate insights into meaningful outcomes is what defines great designers.
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
Figma, Adobe Suite, Notion, Miro, and React Native. We also rely on physical sketching, user testing platforms, and draw inspiration from books like "Designing for the Digital Age" and "The Fifth Discipline."
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
We use time-blocking and Agile sprints to structure our weeks. We prioritize based on impact, not urgency, and build in time for creative thinking and rest. Burnout helps no one.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
It varies—Sharge took around 4 months from concept to MVP, with ongoing iterations based on user and stakeholder feedback. Our process is never truly "hand-offed"—we believe in continuous evolution.
What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
“How did you come up with that idea?” The answer is always: deep research, close listening, and many iterations.
What was your most important job experience?
Creating Sharge! It was our first large-scale implementation of a digital product rooted in both user experience and systemic environmental impact. It validated our belief in design as a force for change.
Who are some of your clients?
As an independent design collective, we currently do not serve external clients. Our focus has been on building Sharge as our first public initiative. However, we are open to future collaborations with mission-aligned organizations.
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
We love projects that blend service design, urban systems, and emerging tech. These allow us to think big and act local—solving granular issues that have ripple effects on cities and communities.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
We plan to continue developing Sharge, scale it across cities, and explore its integration with other urban sustainability initiatives. We’re also prototyping new tools for decentralized clean energy management.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
We work as a closely-knit team, where ideas are co-created, challenged, and refined collaboratively. Our strength lies in shared ownership and complementary skill sets.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
Yes—we are currently exploring an educational platform to teach sustainability through interactive, game-based learning. It’s early-stage, but aligned with our mission to raise awareness through design.
How can people contact you?
Please reach out via email at sharge.design@gmail.com. We’re always open to conversations around sustainable design, clean tech, and meaningful collaboration.
Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
We believe the future of design is participatory, ethical, and regenerative. As designers, we strive not only to create solutions, but to spark new questions that lead to long-term change. Thank you for giving us the space to share our journey.

Designer of the Day Interview with Fang Xu, Xuan Shen, Yongwen Dai

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
We are a three-person design team with backgrounds in architecture, design, and emerging technologies. Collectively, we have over a decade of experience exploring the intersections of spatial design, user experience, and sustainability. Our journey spans academic research, experimental design projects, and applied digital solutions. While Sharge is our first major public product, it reflects years of accumulated knowledge, design thinking, and a shared commitment to addressing real-world challenges through meaningful design.
How did you become a designer?
Our paths to design stem from a shared curiosity about how systems—whether cities, buildings, or digital tools—can improve human lives. Trained as architects, we were drawn to the complexity and potential of design to influence behavior, solve problems, and create impact. Transitioning into digital design felt natural: we wanted to work at the cutting edge of technology and sustainability, translating physical space thinking into user-centered digital products. Our choice to pursue design was driven by an inner belief that thoughtful design is a force for positive change.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
Our priorities are clarity, impact, and inclusivity. We always focus on: 1. User Experience: Ensuring designs are intuitive, accessible, and solve real problems. 2. System Thinking: Seeing design as part of a larger ecosystem, where every decision influences behavior and sustainability. 3. Sustainability: Designing for long-term impact rather than quick fixes. We combine digital tools like Figma and React Native with traditional sketching, prototyping, and iterative feedback. Our approach is collaborative—ideas are challenged, refined, and tested repeatedly. Our style is minimalist, system-oriented, and grounded in purpose.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
Designing fills us with excitement, responsibility, and a sense of possibility. The most thrilling moments come when abstract ideas start taking shape—when sketches turn into interfaces, and user feedback sparks new insights. We feel deeply fulfilled when a design solution not only works but also resonates emotionally with users. The journey itself—the iterative process, the challenges, the breakthroughs—is where we find the most joy.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
Our architectural training gave us a foundation in spatial thinking, problem-solving, and balancing aesthetics with function. Beyond design, we’ve developed skills in research, collaboration, and strategic communication—skills essential for translating user needs into impactful solutions. Our cultural backgrounds also instilled an appreciation for harmony, resilience, and collective responsibility, shaping how we approach every design challenge.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
Our growth path is about expanding Sharge into a widely adopted platform, continuously improving its features, and developing complementary projects that further clean energy adoption. Long-term, we aim to lead a design studio focused on creating systems that empower communities, promote sustainability, and spark positive change. Our dream project is to design a holistic platform that integrates clean energy, urban mobility, and community well-being into a single, accessible ecosystem.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
Be patient, stay curious, and embrace complexity. Don’t rush for quick wins—deep understanding and thoughtful design take time. Collaborate, seek feedback, and never design in isolation. Most importantly, remember that design is not just about visuals—it’s about solving problems that matter.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Always design with purpose and integrity. Avoid chasing trends for the sake of popularity—instead, focus on long-term impact. Embrace feedback as a tool for growth, and don’t be afraid to take risks in service of a bigger vision. Build systems, not just objects. Be an advocate for inclusivity and sustainability in everything you design.
What is your day to day look like?
Our day starts with a team sync—sharing goals, blockers, and ideas. Mornings are for deep design work—prototyping, testing, and iterating. Afternoons often involve collaboration, user feedback sessions, and research. We find joy in small moments—like a breakthrough idea, positive user feedback, or refining a tricky interface element. Even in a routine day, the sense of progress keeps us motivated.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
We stay informed about trends through industry publications, conferences, and conversations with other designers. However, trends are not our primary guide—we design for long-term impact, not seasonal aesthetics. That said, being aware of trends helps us make informed decisions and ensures our solutions remain relevant. Our core inspiration comes from user needs, sustainability challenges, and cross-disciplinary research.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
Good design solves real problems, resonates with users, and scales sustainably. We look for clarity, purpose, and seamless interaction. A project feels "right" when users can achieve their goals effortlessly and when the design feels almost invisible—working in the background to make life better.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
A design is ready when it meets user needs, aligns with our vision, and has been validated through testing. We believe no design is ever truly "final"—there’s always room for iteration—but there comes a point where it’s ready for the world. We release with confidence, knowing we’ll keep learning and evolving based on real-world use.
What is your biggest design work?
Sharge is our most significant project to date. It’s a culmination of our values, expertise, and aspirations—a platform that addresses a critical need for accessible EV charging. Sharge reflects our belief that design can transform infrastructure, empower communities, and contribute to a greener future.
Who is your favourite designer?
One of our favorite designers is Peter Zumthor. We are deeply inspired by the purity and focus in his design philosophy. His work embodies a quiet intensity—free from excess—where every detail is intentional and meaningful. We admire how he creates deeply atmospheric spaces through thoughtful use of materials, light, and texture. His ability to stay true to his vision and craft reminds us to pursue clarity, depth, and purpose in our own design process.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
Our team comes from China and is now based in the United States, where we embrace a diverse and inclusive lifestyle. We enjoy the richness that comes from blending cultures and perspectives, both in our work and daily lives. Outside of work, we value a balanced lifestyle—one that stays close to nature, encourages creativity, and supports personal well-being.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
Our work culture is built on trust, openness, and shared purpose. We challenge ideas, not people, and value feedback as a tool for growth. We seek collaborators who are mission-driven, curious, and resilient. For us, design is not just about deliverables—it’s about creating meaningful impact, together.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
We believe in using design as a force for good. We engage in pro bono initiatives that support sustainability, accessibility, and education. We’re also committed to mentoring young designers and sharing knowledge through talks, workshops, and open-source resources. For us, giving back is an integral part of being a designer.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
Participating in the A' Design Award has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It has given us international recognition, helped us connect with a global community of designers, and opened doors to new opportunities. The three main benefits of participating in design awards are: 1. Visibility: Showcasing your work on a global stage. 2. Validation: Receiving feedback and recognition from an esteemed jury. 3. Growth: Learning from other designs, disciplines, and cultures. Design competitions like the A' Design Award push the boundaries of creativity and help elevate the profession. Being recognized as a Designer of the Day is an honor that motivates us to continue creating work that serves people and the planet.

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