Interview with Fang Xu

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We’re driven by a desire to create systems that improve lives and contribute to collective well-being. Design is a way for us to make abstract ideas tangible—to shape behavior, build trust, and solve overlooked problems. It’s both a responsibility and a tool for long-term impact.

It was a conscious choice. Our interest in how environments and systems influence human behavior led us to architecture, and later, to interaction design. We were drawn to design because it allows us to challenge assumptions, reimagine existing systems, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

We design digital systems that intersect with infrastructure, sustainability, and behavioral change. Our focus is on socially impactful products—like Sharge—that not only work well, but also create positive ripple effects in society. In the future, we hope to design more platforms around decentralized energy, urban mobility, and education.

Don’t chase trends—chase impact. Stay curious. Design is not just visual; it’s strategic, ethical, and systemic. Focus on mastering both empathy and clarity. Learn to ask better questions, and never stop iterating.

A good designer solves problems. A great designer redefines the problem and builds solutions that scale with empathy, clarity, and long-term value. Great design is invisible—it just works, and it leaves a meaningful mark beyond aesthetics.

We evaluate design based on its clarity, usability, and ecosystem impact. A truly good design is intuitive, inclusive, and leaves users feeling empowered. It doesn't just meet requirements—it transforms the experience and advances broader societal goals.

Good design reduces friction, builds trust, and drives behavioral change. In today’s world, it’s not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Investing in good design means investing in efficiency, adoption, and long-term sustainability, whether for users or businesses.

We’d design for underserved urban communities—tools that promote energy access, clean mobility, and financial empowerment. We’re especially interested in solutions that bridge infrastructure gaps in rapidly growing cities.

Our dream is to build a modular, open-source platform that integrates clean energy, transportation, and decentralized governance—something that helps cities become self-sustaining from the bottom up. Sharge is a step toward that vision.

Our secret is systems thinking combined with radical empathy. We design not just for users, but for contexts—how people behave within larger infrastructures, ecosystems, and societal patterns. We also hold ourselves to high standards of clarity, scalability, and purpose.

We’re inspired by Dieter Rams for his clarity, Buckminster Fuller for his systems approach, and the Bauhaus pioneers for their belief in design as social infrastructure. We also admire contemporary voices like Don Norman and Neri Oxman, who bridge science, design, and ethics.

We appreciate systems that feel invisible in use—like the NYC subway signage system or the Nest thermostat. They represent quiet, user-centered clarity. We’re also fascinated by speculative work like Oxman’s material ecology, which blends science and aesthetics meaningfully.

Sharge is our greatest work so far. It represents the convergence of infrastructure, sustainability, community, and user experience. What makes it great is that it translates complexity into clarity—it empowers people while reducing emissions and encouraging new behaviors.

Study systems. Listen deeply. Build prototypes early and often. Embrace feedback. We constantly expose ourselves to unfamiliar domains—energy, urbanism, policy—so we can see problems from multiple angles and design more holistically.

Probably a strategist or urban policy researcher. We love uncovering patterns, identifying leverage points, and crafting tools that enable change. Design just happens to be the language we use to do that.

Design is the bridge between intention and impact. It’s not just how something looks or works—it’s how a system behaves over time in response to real-world use. Good design is responsible, adaptive, and aligned with human values.

We owe much to mentors who challenged our thinking, collaborators who shared our values, and users who trusted us with their feedback. We also credit each other—our team is built on mutual respect, critique, and vision alignment.

Being curious beyond design. We read widely—science, history, philosophy—and translate those insights into our work. It’s this interdisciplinary curiosity that fuels our creativity and strategic clarity.

One challenge was transitioning from architecture to digital product design. We had to rewire our thinking—from physical space to interface space, from permanence to iteration. Another was self-doubt in taking on problems larger than ourselves. But the impact kept us going.

With clarity and context. A good presentation tells the story of the problem, the process, and the people involved—not just the solution. Visuals matter, but narrative and purpose matter more.

We’re currently exploring an interactive learning platform focused on sustainability and systems literacy, combining games, visual storytelling, and real-world data. It builds on our mission to empower individuals through design.

To design tools, systems, and platforms that enable collective resilience. Our long-term goal is to contribute to a regenerative design economy that redefines growth, ownership, and participation.

People expect clarity, integrity, and impact. Not just beautiful work, but meaningful, considered work that shows up in the world and solves something real.

Design shapes systems of access, behavior, and identity. From public services to digital tools, it has the power to reduce friction, increase inclusion, and create feedback loops for continuous improvement. At its best, design builds dignity into everyday life.

We’re excited about our early-stage project combining climate literacy and user interaction. It explores how abstract environmental concepts can become intuitive through playful design.

Sharge gave us immense satisfaction because it addressed a real and urgent gap. It was also deeply interdisciplinary—from behavior design to infrastructure strategy—and required us to integrate ethics, economics, and empathy.

We want to see more emphasis on systems design, ethical accountability, and climate-conscious practices. The industry needs to move beyond shiny surfaces and embrace its role in shaping society.

Design is moving toward systems thinking, speculative design, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. We expect more focus on policy, ecology, and machine learning—as design becomes both a mediator and amplifier of emerging change.

It varies. Sharge took four months to MVP, but design is never "final." We believe in continuous iteration based on user feedback and changing contexts.

We start with listening. We talk to users, map systems, and immerse ourselves in the context. Only then do we sketch ideas and begin low-fidelity prototyping.

Debug the world through design.

The best design sets trajectories, not trends. It responds to deep shifts and proposes new possibilities, rather than just reacting to aesthetics.

Technology is a medium—not the message. We use it to scale impact, personalize experiences, and bring systems to life. But we always anchor our decisions in human needs first.

We use Figma, Notion, Miro, Adobe CC, and React Native. For creative exploration, we also use Midjourney and ChatGPT for ideation, and platforms like Kelin for generative video.

They set tone, emotion, and cognitive load. In digital design, color and ambient cues act as behavioral signals. We use them intentionally to create clarity and comfort.

We wish more people would ask: What system does this design improve? What behavior does it shift? Not just how it looks, but what it enables.

We ask: What invisible problem did this solve? What tradeoffs did the designer navigate? We’re always interested in the quiet constraints behind the final result.

Absolutely. Our ideal partner shares values, thinks critically, and embraces discomfort. Co-design brings humility and insight, which leads to more resilient solutions.

Urban planners, energy engineers, and everyday users. We learn most from people outside the design field—they show us what actually matters.

"The Fifth Discipline" by Peter Senge, "Designing for the Digital Age" by Kim Goodwin, and "Speculative Everything" by Dunne & Raby. These shaped our thinking in systems, methods, and futures.

By shipping real products, getting feedback, and working across unfamiliar domains. We treat each project as a learning system.

Buckminster Fuller. His fusion of design, systems, and global ethics continues to inspire how we think about impact.

Recognition is affirming but not the goal. Our focus remains on creating work that matters. Awards help amplify ideas, but impact is what drives us.

Color: Ultramarine blue. Place: A quiet urban park. Food: Steamed fish with ginger. Season: Spring. Thing: A well-worn sketchbook. Brand: Patagonia—for its purpose-driven ethos.

Once during user testing, a participant misunderstood our prototype and tried to use voice commands on a static mockup. It reminded us how real people often bring their own logic—and how important it is to design with that in mind.

Seeing someone interact smoothly with something we created. Or hearing, "This solved my problem." Small wins like these keep us grounded and energized.

Not directly. But we were always building, questioning, observing patterns. The instinct to understand and reshape systems was always there.

We hope design will evolve into an interspecies, planetary practice—where decisions are made not just for humans, but for ecological balance. A thousand years from now, design may be indistinguishable from collective consciousness.

We believe design is an invitation—to think differently, live more intentionally, and build futures that serve more than the self. Thank you for walking this path with us.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Excitement, curiosity, and a deep sense of purpose. Each design decision feels like a small step toward a better world.

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.

A successful design balances functionality, usability, and impact. It aligns with user needs while contributing positively to its ecosystem—socially, environmentally, or economically.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Design for people, planet, and possibility. If a design helps even one person live better and more sustainably, it's worth pursuing.

Empathy, systems thinking, storytelling, and adaptability. Technical proficiency matters, but the ability to translate insights into meaningful outcomes is what defines great designers.

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."

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.

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.

“How did you come up with that idea?” The answer is always: deep research, close listening, and many iterations.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Please reach out via email at sharge.design@gmail.com. We’re always open to conversations around sustainable design, clean tech, and meaningful collaboration.

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.