Piyaphon Inthavong

I grew up in a small village where design was never considered important. Local shops and businesses simply used words to describe themselves, rather than beautiful, cohesive, emotionally-connected visuals. Because of this, I never really thought about design. Yet I grew up with a passion for drawing, spending my free time sketching whenever I could. One day I was exposed to the MacBook that Apple had designed in late 2012. The way Apple made both the software and hardware so sleek, beautiful, and satisfying to use inspired me greatly. I fell deeply in love with technology, exploring every menu and setting, amazed by all the thoughtful features Apple had designed. Years later, after I graduated from high school, I didn’t know what to do for my career. All I knew was that I had been doing volunteer work in advertising, branding, and general design for small businesses in my hometown. Those were the only times I felt appreciated and like I was actually doing something purposeful for my community. This realization motivated me to pursue a design degree, during which I was further inspired by Chris Do from TheFutur. Motivated to do more, not only for my community on a small scale, but on a much larger scale, I learned the true value and power of design that my village had been missing. That became my burning passion to be the change that my community needed.

The company I'm currently working with is a software development house based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They specialize in full-stack digital product development, but what sets them apart from most companies is that Snappymob truly understands the value of good design and is willing to invest in it to ensure the highest client satisfaction. I love building digital products and experiences with teams that share this philosophy.

At a high level, design is a philosophy, a way of thinking that focuses on understanding people with compassion. This approach allows us to identify problems at their root rather than just addressing surface-level symptoms.

I'm drawn to any kind of product that creates real impact within a community. My passion for design lies in the meaningful change it can create, rather than being limited to any specific category or industry.

Apple's consistent branding stands out to me because they deliver on what they promise and maintain customer trust. They convinced me of the power of "Less is More" and showed the entire world how elegant simplicity can be when applied intentionally and appropriately.

My first real design project for a company was a mini branding campaign for my school during Halloween season. The project included key artwork, event posters, stage backdrop vinyl, staff tags, and social media collaterals. That event became Vientiane Pattana School's first public event to gain significant attention. I was even contacted personally by an advertising company after they discovered I was the designer behind the campaign.

The Apple MacBook sparked my inspiration and motivation to pursue world-changing design. Specifically, I'm fascinated by how customizable the OS makes the hardware and how portable it is for designers on the go.

I try to focus on everything throughout the product development lifecycle, but when time is limited, I prioritize what matters most for each project. Usually, that means concentrating on strategy, understanding users' pain points, and determining how to best serve those users.

I feel focused and curious about the different ways I can solve the problem at hand.

I feel delighted and curious about whether the solutions actually work and how I can improve them if needed.

Success happens when designers genuinely listen to both users and key stakeholders, then continuously iterate based on their insights.

The first thing I consider is context, understanding the goals, problems, and potential impact. Then I examine which design principles were applied and how effectively they worked.

Design is becoming more human-centric than ever, especially with AI technology advancing. Personalization and data-driven insights are becoming increasingly important.

My design inspiration comes from daily observations and real-life experiences, including regular reading and staying current with industry trends.

My design style is heavily influenced by practical knowledge from "The Design of Everyday Things" and "Don't Make Me Think." I believe in "Less is More," but that doesn't mean stripping away features, it means being strategic about what to prioritize in my designs.

I live in Laos. Rather than being influenced by cultural heritage, I'm actually shaped by experiencing the lack of design presence in Laos. The advantage is that it drives me to prioritize impact, while the downside is potentially less exposure to creativity compared to living in more developed countries.

Companies should first understand what design is, identify what they need from a designer, and communicate those needs clearly. Too often, whether it's freelance, part-time, or full-time work, companies fail to understand what they're paying for and don't plan adequately in advance.

Regardless of the design project I'm tackling, I closely follow the design thinking process. This flexible framework allows me to adapt to any situation and context in real life. The key to design thinking is understanding its philosophy, knowing when to start each phase and when to skip phases based on project context.

My day flows from morning routine to prioritizing daily goals, coordinating design resources within my company, joining various design project meetings, speaking with clients and key stakeholders, and diving into necessary design work as needed.

Be humble and open-minded. Learn from those who have succeeded in the areas you're interested in pursuing.

The negatives include becoming more critical in everyday life, which can increase stress levels. Spending long hours in front of screens is also a health concern.

I don't have one specific golden rule. Design is a holistic field where you need to understand how to balance design principles with user needs, technology limitations, and business requirements, while communicating effectively with key stakeholders. You are the bridge to product success!

Problem-solving skills remain most crucial for designers. People expect designers to solve complex problems creatively.

A whiteboard for ideation, Notion for documentation and planning, Pinterest as a creative search engine, Perplexity for research, ChatGPT for boosting efficiency and reasoning, and Google for learning from successful case studies.

I schedule dedicated time for deep work and rest. I learn to never overpromise, and taking care of my health is crucial for maintaining consistency and creativity.

"How much time do you need for this work?" It's crucial to estimate project timelines accurately while considering buffer time to avoid burnout.

Working with Gatis, the CEO of Printify, greatly helped me understand international benchmarks in product design. Collaborating closely with such an important stakeholder matured my thinking significantly. I deeply appreciate his mentorship and will always remember his lessons.

AEON, JBI, Lao Mountain Coffee, Printify, Cubed, Sharee.ag, Damlou Noodles, JMC, Kryss Network, Urbanite, Vientiane Pattana School International.

I enjoy making impact with a passionate team most, usually in a full-stack product design project where I coordinate and orchestrate multidisplinary designs as the outcome of the project.

My dream is to build a passionate team and continuously create solutions for the community together in every way possible.

As a full-stack design lead, I coordinate design work with other designers and key stakeholders to ensure we deliver the highest quality work.

I'm partnering with Sharee.ag and am excited about impacting the agriculture ecosystem in Laos. We're working to provide more opportunities for farmers and build healthier, more connected generations.

I grew up in a small village where visual design wasn’t seen as important. Most local businesses relied only on words, unaware that design could help them tell a stronger, more emotional story. Despite being surrounded by this, I found myself constantly drawing. Sketching gave me a sense of calm and purpose, even before I knew what design really was. Everything shifted when I came across Apple’s MacBook in 2012. It wasn’t just the sleek hardware or the clean software, but the way every detail felt intentional and human. That experience taught me that good design doesn’t just look good, but it has the power to transforms how people feel and interact. I became obsessed with understanding how that was possible. During high school, I started volunteering to create posters and branding materials for small businesses in my hometown. It was the first time I felt truly useful. These early experiences led me to pursue a design UI/UX degree at Taylor’s University in Malaysia, where I gained a deeper foundation in design thinking, human behavior, and user-centered design. Along the way, industry mentors like Chris Do from The Futur and Don Norman helped expand my view of what design could do, not just for products, but for people and communities. That experience shaped a conviction in me that design should meet people where they are, especially for communities that are often overlooked.

Design holds a profound place in my heart, I believe deeply in its power to spark meaningful transformation within communities and individual lives. What truly drives me isn't simply the creation of better products or improved user experiences, but it’s capacity to touch the way we connect with one another, how we collaborate as teams, and the spirit with which we serve our communities together. There's something beautiful about how thoughtful design can ripple outward, beginning with a single interaction and eventually reshaping entire ecosystems of human connection. This is where I find my purpose, in the spaces between people, in the moments where design becomes a bridge that brings us closer to understanding and serving one another.

I chose this path myself after mainly being inspired by Chris Do, who showed me that design extends far beyond aesthetics. He helped me understand design's practical and emotional impact. I believe design has the power to change the world.

I focus on designs that create powerful impact for society, particularly in product design. I'm drawn to projects that solve real problems for communities regardless of category or industry.

I wouldn't call myself a legend, but my number one advice is simple: stay humble and learn from those who have already succeeded. Learn from everyone, not just designers.

A great designer does more than solve an immediate task. They tune in to the hopes, constraints, and stories around the problem, translating that understanding into experiences that feel both useful and human.

I first consider context: understanding the goals, problems, and potential impact. Then I examine which design principles were applied and how effectively they worked. The best designs solve problems at their root rather than just addressing symptoms.

Good design understands and solves problems holistically. It creates meaningful connections between people and products while addressing real needs in society.

The most important aspect of my work is creating real difference within communities. Given the choice, I enjoy working with startups and building MVPs. They're more exciting and offer greater potential to shape a product's direction rather than working within existing limitations.

My ultimate design dream is building a passionate multi-disciplinary team that continuously creates solutions for communities. I got a taste of this when I collaborated with 10-15 designers from my university batch on our final year initiative. We created a campaign and showcase called The Hex Code back in 2021.

I don't have one golden rule. Design is holistic. You need to balance design principles with user needs, technology constraints, and business requirements while communicating clearly with stakeholders. Designers bridge the gap to product success. What I do recommend is practicing design thinking. It's the most effective and flexible framework I've used throughout my career, and it forms the foundation of many other processes like the Double Diamond and Lean UX.

Chris Do, Don Norman, and Jakob Nielsen have shaped my approach significantly. Chris Do teaches the art of communication in design, showing how to step away from the computer to make real impact through smart communication and negotiation. Don Norman and Nielsen redefined experience design by providing solid frameworks for human-centered principles. They taught me how everyday products affect us psychologically and how to approach design with both practical and emotional considerations.

Notion is the design I admire most. They turned every piece of content into Lego blocks, which are flexible, stackable, and infinitely combinable. I've used it for six years because it adapts to how I think, not the other way around. Apple's branding shapes how I approach design. They proved to the world the elegance of simplicity, and that less is more. Most importantly, they build trust by delivering exactly what they promise, without the hidden agenda that plagues traditional marketing.

Working with a passionate team I trust turns any project into something truly rewarding. LPG GasUp is a perfect example. We won first place for MVP design at Innofest 2021 in Malaysia, but the real success was watching designers from different backgrounds come together to build something meaningful. What made the project special wasn't just the outcome, but how we worked together. Each person brought something different to the table, and that collaboration created solutions we never could have reached alone. With the right support, I believe GasUp could become a nationwide service that makes ordering and refilling LPG cylinders safer and easier for families across Malaysia.

Learn from those who have already successfully impacted many communities. I also recommend learning basic frontend development to understand infrastructure and provide higher quality designs that align with development capabilities.

I would have become a nutritionist. Health has always been the foundation for everything else in life, and I care deeply about helping people build that foundation. That's actually why I initiated the Kinmuni project. No health means no life.

Design is a way of thinking that starts with understanding people deeply. It's about looking past what someone says they want to discover what they actually need. Good design gets to the root of problems rather than just fixing what's visible on the surface. When you truly understand the people you're designing for, you can create solutions that becomes a part of their life.

My uncle and aunt have been my biggest supporters. When I was growing up without many opportunities, they stepped in and opened doors I couldn't have opened myself. They believed in my potential and made sacrifices to help me pursue my career. Their support changed the entire direction of my life, and I'm deeply grateful for everything they've done.