by: Sophia Paris
The IXDC “China’s Top 10 Outstanding Young Service Designers” award was established in 2018 to recognize exceptional design talent who use innovative design concepts and service design methods to drive organizational innovation, process reengineering, service improvement, and outstanding user experiences. In the latest 2024 selection, Zeyuan Zhang emerged as one of 30 finalists from over a thousand applicants. Zhang has established himself as a leading figure in user experience (UX) design innovation. “Innovation in user experience is a powerful catalyst for digital transformation,” Zhang states. His work is transforming digital solutions across finance, healthcare, and automotive industries.
Zhang’s innovative approach has garnered international recognition with over 20 prestigious global design awards, including the iF Design Award, Red Dot Design Award, New York Product Design Awards, International Design Awards, European Product Design Awards, Titan Innovation Design Awards, Muse Design Awards, C2A Design Awards, and French Design Awards. These accolades highlight his technical expertise and substantial influence in the global design community.
At Citi, Zhang has reshaped the financial industry by creating intuitive digital platforms specifically designed for Wall Street traders and major investment banks in America and worldwide. Recognizing the industry’s complexity and fast-paced nature, Zhang utilized comprehensive user research methods to analyze trader workflows, identify inefficiencies, and implement effective solutions. His UX strategies have simplified complex trading processes, substantially improving operational efficiency and client satisfaction. A notable project included redesigning a trading product experience focused on FX hedging solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. This redesign generated over $30 million in additional economic revenue. By simplifying complex processes and eliminating obstacles, Zhang’s design attracted many new clients, expanded market reach, and contributed positively to economic growth.
“Finance presents unique challenges due to its inherent complexity and the immediacy of trading decisions,” Zhang explains. “We addressed these challenges head-on by creating highly intuitive digital solutions. Traders and small business owners can now execute transactions faster and more accurately, directly translating into measurable business value. Improved efficiency within legacy banking systems not only elevates client satisfaction but also stimulates greater economic activity. The positive feedback we’ve received from our clients and stakeholders underscores the transformative power of strategic UX design in critical business environments.”
Zhang attributes his success to his rigorous application of the ‘double diamond’ methodology, a structured design process that emphasizes iterative exploration and continuous refinement based on user feedback. Zhang describes this approach: “When you immerse yourself deeply into daily workflows and interactions, you can genuinely feel the excitement and satisfaction that a thoughtfully redesigned experience brings. It’s inspiring to see firsthand how well-crafted UX can transform user engagement.” This thorough process ensures that Zhang’s designs effectively address current challenges while anticipating future needs, maintaining lasting impact and relevance.
In addition to his professional work, Zhang actively researches emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, to advance UX design practices. His current research focuses on incorporating AI-driven insights to predict user behaviors and create more personalized, adaptive digital experiences.
Zhang regularly mentors aspiring designers, encouraging them to tackle challenges and develop empathy, curiosity, and adaptability toward new technologies and methodologies. According to Zhang, succeeding in UX design requires ongoing learning, flexibility, and an empathetic understanding of users’ needs and contexts.
“UX design fundamentally enhances human experiences through technology,” Zhang reflects. “Ultimately, our success is measured by how effectively our designs drive positive change—transforming digital interactions into meaningful experiences that enrich daily lives and influence the broader societal landscape.”