Wenxi Qi

Specialized in Consumer Electronics Design.

Wenxi Qi

About Wenxi Qi

Wenxi Qi is a designer and entrepreneur working at the intersection of product design, technology, and culture. She is the co-founder of PaniniClub, a design-driven consumer electronics brand, and the director of Aproject Factory, an innovation studio that collaborates with technology startups on product strategy, hardware and software experiences, and brand development. Her work explores the cultural and emotional value of everyday products and examines how design can contribute to emotional well-being and human–technology relationships. Her projects have received international design awards and recognition, and she has been invited to serve as a juror for international design competitions and programs. Through her work, she contributes to design education, startup ecosystems, and cross-disciplinary collaboration between design, technology, and business.

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Consumer Electronics Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs
  • Consumer Electronics
Panini101 Charger

Panini101 Charger

Consumer Electronics Design

Good Design Deserves Great Recognition

Nominate Your Work for the A' Design Award.

Sign-Up

Interview with Wenxi Qi

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?
I was trained in industrial design, but my practice has always extended beyond traditional product design. Over the past decade, I have been working at the intersection of technology, culture, and human experience, focusing on translating complex technical systems such as AI, hardware, and data infrastructures into products people can understand and use. My journey did not start from a single moment of deciding to become a designer. It felt more like all paths gradually led here. I have always been curious about how things work and how people feel about them. Design became the field where these two interests could meet. An early defining experience was working on large-scale industrial systems such as railway inspection platforms. That project shaped my perspective. Design is not only about form. It is about making complex systems understandable and usable at a human level.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
I am the design director of Aproject Factory, a product design and innovation studio, and the co-founder of PaniniClub, a culture-driven consumer electronics brand. Aproject Factory focuses on early-stage product systems, helping startups and emerging companies translate technically complex ideas into real, market-ready products. Our work spans AI software, hardware systems, and integrated product ecosystems. PaniniClub explores a more cultural dimension of technology. Our first product, Panini101, reimagines everyday electronics as emotionally resonant objects. It reflects our belief that technology should not feel distant or opaque. It should feel understandable and even personal.
What is "design" for you?
Design, for me, is a form of translation. It translates complexity into clarity, and abstraction into experience. As technologies such as AI become more powerful yet more difficult to understand, design becomes essential in making them accessible and trustworthy. At the same time, design is also a cultural medium. It allows us to embed meaning, memory, and emotional value into everyday objects.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
I enjoy designing product systems that sit between technology and human behavior. This includes AI-powered products, consumer electronics, emotional well-being tools, and hardware-software integrated systems. I am particularly interested in projects where the challenge is how people understand and relate to technology.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
One of my favorite designs is the LC4 Chaise Lounge by Le Corbusier, created in collaboration with Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret. What I admire most about the LC4 is how it embodies a deep understanding of the human body. Its form follows the natural curve of the body in an intuitive way, creating a sense of effortless comfort while maintaining a precise and rational structure. I see it as a perfect expression of timelessness, elegance, and adaptability. The balance between material and form feels resolved in a way that is both simple and enduring. I also appreciate its naming logic. The clarity and system behind the name influenced how I think about naming in my own work, including products at PaniniClub.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
One of the first projects I designed for a company was a railway inspection system in 2018, developed in collaboration with Seer Big Data. The project focused on modernizing non-destructive railway testing by translating complex engineering and data systems into interfaces and physical forms that operators could understand and use in real-world conditions. It involved both system-level thinking and practical constraints from industrial environments. This experience had a lasting impact on how I approach design. It taught me that design is not only about individual objects, but about making large-scale technical systems accessible, usable, and reliable for people operating them.
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
I am currently most interested in AI as a design material. It is not only a tool but also something that shapes interaction, behavior, and emotional relationships.
When do you feel the most creative?
I feel most creative when I am connecting different domains, especially when technical systems meet human behavior or emotion. That moment of translation often leads to new ideas.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
I focus on system logic, user understanding, and emotional response. A design must be functional, but also intuitive and trustworthy.
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
Designing often feels like a process of exploration. There is curiosity in the beginning, tension during problem-solving, and clarity when things start to align.
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
When a design becomes real, I feel a sense of grounding. It is rewarding to see something move from an idea into something people can interact with in everyday life.
What makes a design successful?
A successful design is one that people can understand, adopt, and build a relationship with over time.
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
I first consider clarity and usability. If people cannot understand how to use it, the design is not successful.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Designers have a responsibility to make complex systems understandable and to reduce the gap between technology and people. We should also consider long-term impact, including emotional well-being and sustainability.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
Design is evolving from object creation toward system creation. The future will involve AI-driven products, human-centered technology adoption, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
My most recent exhibition was on May 6 in Austin, where PaniniClub was selected as a startup to showcase at the iFly.vc Consumer Summit. It was a great opportunity to present our work in a context that brings together investors, founders, and emerging consumer technology brands. For my next exhibition, I am looking forward to participating in the A' Design Award Exhibition as part of the award winners’ showcase. It would be meaningful to present the work in a more design-focused and international context.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
My inspiration comes from both emerging technologies and human behavior. I observe how people interact with systems and where confusion or friction happens, and I explore how design can improve that.
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?
My design style focuses on translating technology into human experience. It emphasizes clarity, emotional resonance, and systems thinking.
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 am currently based in the United States. My cross-cultural background has a strong influence on my work, allowing me to approach design from multiple perspectives and connect different contexts.
How do you work with companies?
I work closely with companies at early stages, helping define product direction, system structure, and user experience. I often act as a bridge between technical teams and users.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
Companies should involve designers early in the process and look for designers who understand both technical systems and human behavior.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
My process begins with understanding the system and constraints, followed by defining the problem from a human perspective, and then iterating through design and testing.
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
At home, I am surrounded by objects that reflect both my personal interests and my design philosophy. I have a replica of a sculpture by Alexander Calder, which I appreciate for its balance, movement, and sense of lightness. It constantly reminds me how form can create emotion. I also keep an iMac G3 in my personal collection. It represents a moment in history when technology was expressive, approachable, and full of character. My own product, Panini101, is part of my daily life both on my desk and by my bedside. It reflects my ongoing exploration of making everyday technology more emotionally engaging. In my office, I designed a small bar cabinet that combines functionality with atmosphere. It is a space where design meets lifestyle and social interaction. Finally, I designed a tatami-style tea room for my home. It is a quiet, intentional space that contrasts with the fast pace of technology, allowing for reflection and balance.
Can you describe a day in your life?
My day usually involves a mix of design work, meetings, and strategic thinking. I often move between product development, team collaboration, and exploring new ideas.
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Focus on understanding systems, not just visuals. The ability to translate complexity into usability is one of the most valuable skills.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
Being a designer allows you to shape how people experience the world. At the same time, it requires constant problem-solving and adapting to changing technologies.
What is your "golden rule" in design?
If people cannot understand it, it does not matter how advanced it is.
What skills are most important for a designer?
Systematic thinking, communication, and the ability to understand both technology and human behavior.
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
I use a combination of digital tools, prototyping methods, and research. This includes design software, AI tools, and physical prototyping processes.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
I focus on prioritizing key decisions early and iterating efficiently rather than over-polishing in the beginning.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
It varies depending on the project. Some concepts can be developed quickly, while others require extended research, testing, and refinement.
What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
People often ask how design can make complex technology easier to use and understand.
What was your most important job experience?
Working on large-scale industrial systems had a lasting impact on my approach to design, especially in understanding systems at scale.
Who are some of your clients?
I have worked with startups and technology companies across different industries, including AI, healthcare, and consumer electronics.
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
I enjoy work that involves translating complex systems into products people can use and relate to.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
I plan to continue building human-centered product systems, especially in AI-driven products and emotional well-being tools.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
I work both independently and collaboratively, depending on the project. Most large projects involve cross-disciplinary teams.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
I am currently exploring new product systems that combine AI and emotional interaction, focusing on how technology can better support human well-being.
How can people contact you?
LinkedIn: Wenxi Qi , E-mail:vincy@paniniclub.io, or Instagram: @vincy9410
Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
We are entering a time when technology is becoming more powerful but also less visible. Design plays an important role in making technology understandable again, both functionally and emotionally.

Extended Interview with Wenxi Qi

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I was formally trained in industrial design, and my academic experience spans both product design and system-level thinking. My early work began in research environments where design intersected with engineering and large-scale systems, including industrial AI and infrastructure projects. This foundation shaped my approach: I do not see design as isolated objects, but as part of broader product ecosystems that connect technology with human behavior.
How did you become a designer?
What motivates me is the gap between technological capability and human understanding. Many technologies today are powerful but inaccessible or emotionally distant. I design to translate complexity into something people can understand, trust, and adopt.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
For me, becoming a designer was not a forced decision, nor a single moment of choice. It felt as if all paths eventually led me to the same destination. Design was the place where everything I was drawn to—systems, people, technology, and meaning—came together. In that sense, it was a mutual choice. I chose design, and design, in its own way, chose me.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
I design technology-driven product systems—especially consumer electronics that carry emotional and cultural value. I want to design more products that reconnect people with technology in a meaningful way.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
Focus less on style and more on impact. Great designers solve problems that matter at scale.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
A good designer improves products. A great designer changes how people interact with technology.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
A really good design achieves three things: 1. Functional clarity 2. Emotional resonance 3. Real-world impact
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Good design increases adoption. Without design, even great technology fails to reach people.
What is your day to day look like?
I would design public-facing systems that help people better understand and manage their daily lives—especially in areas like emotional well-being and technology literacy.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
A global-scale system of “emotional first aid” tools integrated into everyday environments is not a project I have yet to realize—it is a long-term endeavor I am actively building. The ambition is to reshape how a generation approaches emotional and mental well-being through accessible, everyday design. I have been developing this work continuously alongside my professional practice, and, given its scale and societal implications, it requires sustained time, research, and resources to fully implement it.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
My approach to design is grounded in three core principles. The first is open-mindedness. I constantly learn from disciplines beyond design, including technology, psychology, and culture, because meaningful design rarely exists within a single field. The ability to understand and synthesize knowledge across domains is essential to addressing complex problems. The second is clarity. A central part of my work is translating technical complexity into forms that people can easily understand, trust, and adopt. If a design does not make something clearer, then it has not fully achieved its purpose. The third is resonance. Beyond functionality, I aim to create designs that connect with people on a deeper, more universal level. The most enduring designs are those that transcend language, culture, and background, and can be intuitively understood and appreciated by a wide range of people. Together, these principles shape how I approach design, not just as the creation of objects, but as a way to bridge complexity and human experience.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
Designers and thinkers who work across disciplines—those who shape systems, not just objects.
What is your biggest design work?
I admire Le Corbusier, Jony Ive, and Dieter Rams. What unites them is that they operate far beyond design itself. Design, for them, is not the destination, but the medium—a way to interpret the world, shape culture, and influence how people live. That is what I aspire to. Not just to design products, but to use design as a language to create meaning and leave a lasting impact on how people experience technology and everyday life.
Who is your favourite designer?
I do not define my greatest design as a single product, but as a series of works that create measurable impact in the real world. These projects have contributed to changing decades-old operational models in industrial systems such as railway inspection, improving efficiency and usability at scale. They have explored new ways for individuals to understand and manage everyday emotional experiences through design-led frameworks. They have also redefined how people relate to consumer electronics, moving from opaque “black box” devices toward more transparent and culturally resonant interactions. What makes these designs significant is their ability to operate beyond aesthetics and function. They influence behavior, reshape systems, and shift perception at scale. In my view, that is what elevates design from being good to being truly meaningful.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
Entrepreneur, and I'm already one, I call myself a "designpreneur."
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
Design, to me, is the translation layer between technology and human behavior. It is not primarily about self-expression, but about solving problems for others. The value of design lies in its ability to take complex, often invisible systems and make them understandable, usable, and meaningful in everyday life. At its best, design bridges the gap between what technology can do and how people actually live. It transforms capability into adoption, and complexity into clarity.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
I have received support from many people along the way, and I deeply value the mentors and collaborators who have influenced my journey. But if I had to name the most consistent supporter, it would be myself. I have always taken full ownership of my path, making decisions independently and taking responsibility for every outcome. That mindset has been critical in navigating uncertainty and building something meaningful over time. I believe that ultimately, growth comes from the ability to lead your own direction while remaining open to learning from others.

Stay Updated with Latest Design News

By clicking Sign-Up, you are opting to receive promotional emails from A' Design Awards, World Design Rankings, World Design Consortium and Designers.Org You can update your preferences or unsubscribe any time.

You are now at the right step

Join Designers.org & Start Promoting Your Design Worldwide.

Create an Account