For Yun Yao, design is never just about solving problems—it’s about understanding people. It’s about creating experiences that feel natural, inviting, and meaningful. Every project she undertakes reflects a simple yet profound idea: design isn’t just functional; it should resonate. It should create moments of clarity and connection, offering users something they didn’t even know they needed.

Yun’s journey into design began with storytelling. As an illustrator, her work was recognized by 3x3 Illustration Annual Show and Communication Arts, where her ability to convey depth and emotion through visuals stood out. This early success wasn’t just about accolades—it shaped how Yun sees the world. For her, every detail matters because it contributes to the bigger picture. When she transitioned into product design, this perspective became her foundation, helping her merge the creativity of art with the practicality of design.

At Airmart, Yun took on the challenge of redesigning the company’s flagship e-commerce platform. For her, this wasn’t just a job—it was a chance to build something meaningful. She dug deep into the user journey, asking questions others might overlook: What frustrates users? What excites them? What would make this experience feel effortless? By addressing these questions, she helped Airmart achieve a 30% increase in user engagement and a 20% boost in satisfaction. But for Yun, these numbers only tell part of the story. What mattered most was creating a platform where people felt understood—where every interaction felt intuitive and human.

Collaboration was key to this success. Yun worked closely with branding and marketing teams to ensure that every aspect of the platform felt cohesive. From the colors and typography to the smallest micro-interactions, everything was thoughtfully designed to create a seamless experience. For Yun, it wasn’t just about getting users from point A to point B; it was about making the journey as enjoyable and memorable as the destination.

Her work at Airfoil Studio was equally thoughtful. There, she designed for Web3 projects with clients like Y Combinator and Techstars. These projects demanded flexibility and innovation, but Yun always kept her focus on the people who would use the technology. She often asked, How can we make this feel approachable? How can we help users trust something unfamiliar? Her designs weren’t just technically sound—they had a warmth and clarity that made complex systems feel accessible.

This human-centered approach is deeply tied to Yun’s roots in illustration. Her art has always been about telling stories—about creating visuals that speak directly to the viewer. This narrative sensibility remains at the heart of her work today, whether she’s designing a user interface or creating illustrations for an exhibition. Her pieces, like those shown in the ITSLIQUID SECRET SPACES exhibition in 2023, remind us that visuals can do more than inform—they can move us.

Yun doesn’t see a divide between her art and her design practice. For her, they’re two sides of the same coin. Both are about finding balance—between function and emotion, structure and creativity. She believes that design shouldn’t dictate meaning; it should invite discovery. This philosophy is what drives her to look beyond trends and tools, focusing instead on what makes a design feel timeless and human.

As technology evolves, Yun remains committed to the idea that design is, at its core, about people. It’s not just about creating sleek interfaces or solving technical challenges—it’s about making the complex feel simple and the unfamiliar feel approachable. “Good design,” Yun says, “is like a conversation. It listens, responds, and makes you feel understood.”

Her work reminds us that design has the power to do more than improve our lives—it can enrich them. Whether she’s working on a product or creating a piece of art, Yun’s goal is always the same: to create something that feels both thoughtful and alive. Through her designs, she shows us that even in the digital age, the most important thing is still the human connection.