The Creative Journey From Gaming to Branding: Danting Li’s Multifaceted Design Path

It really feels like a big affirmation of my work, and I’m very thankful to the French Design Awards for this recognition. Being acknowledged in this way gave me a strong boost of confidence—almost like a gentle nudge saying, “Yes, keep going, you’re on the right path.” It’s encouraging and motivates me to keep moving forward in my design career with even more focus and passion.

This recognition has been a real turning point—it not only reinforced my confidence in my own design ideas but also motivated me to dive even deeper into the worlds of web and graphic design. On a bigger scale, it brought wonderful affirmation and visibility to my agency, SparksGlo LLC. 

More people from around the world are now discovering both me, as Danting Li and SparksGlo as a design studio capable of creating engaging, interactive e-commerce websites tailored for niche brands and small businesses. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity—it feels like a door opening wider, inviting us to push our creativity even further.

For me, experimentation is like running little usability adventures during the design process—it’s how I figure out what really works for people. In the Venus Jewelry E-commerce Website Design project, I ran quite a few usability tests. For example, on the wishlist page, I built three different wireframes with unique layouts and interaction styles, all scaled across multiple screen sizes. 

Then I set up A/B testing to see which version people engaged with most. Watching how users actually interact—sometimes in ways I didn’t expect—gives me the insights to refine the design and make it both intuitive and enjoyable.

The most unusual source of inspiration I’ve ever drawn from has to be Roman Venus. I mean, who would’ve thought a goddess associated with love and beauty could guide a modern design project?

Her elegance and timeless aesthetic inspired the brand and website design for the entire project, helping me bring a sense of grace and harmony into every visual element. It was a fun reminder that inspiration can come from the most unexpected—and historical—places!

I wish more people understood just how tricky it can be to balance design and development. After I complete a full design, I draft the design documentation and collaborate with the development team to bring it to life. That’s usually when reality checks in—sometimes certain design elements can’t be implemented due to technical limitations or business requirements. 

Then it’s back to the drawing board: redesigning the interface, adjusting interactions, checking with the client, and making sure developers can actually build it. It’s a bit like being a translator between creativity and code, and let me tell you, it keeps you on your toes!

I definitely bring my expertise in both technical and design specs to the table, but at the end of the day, the client’s vision comes first—I’m representing the agency, after all. Luckily, my client was a dream to work with: communicative, reasonable, and open to ideas. Most of their expectations were achievable, so it felt more like a collaborative dance than a tug-of-war. It was a really rewarding experience to balance their goals with my creative input and bring the project to life together.

Some of the biggest challenges I faced were mapping out the “happy paths” and edge cases for the single product page, checkout flow, and search flow, figuring out the layout of the account page based on all the info the client wanted to include, and creating an immersive hero video experience on the homepage. I tackled these challenges with a mix of patience, strong design skills, and clear communication with both the client and the development team. 

For me, a challenge is never the end of the world—it’s just an opportunity to refine the design, make it more complete, and ultimately create a more successful project.

When I hit a creative block, I like to recharge by diving into the work of others. I explore jewelry brands’ websites and branding, and I spend time on design inspiration platforms like Awwwards, Dribbble, Orpetron, Pinterest, and even the French Design Awards. Reviewing other designers’ work not only sparks new ideas but also keeps me in tune with current design trends.

I also step outside to embrace nature, which is full of its own kind of design genius. The spirals in shells, the flow of air and water, and the dendritic patterns in tree roots—nature has a way of reminding me how beautiful and surprising patterns can be. These experiences help me reset, recharge, and return to my work with fresh inspiration.

I like to weave independence, elegance, and a bit of girl power into my designs—whether it’s through the colour palette, logo, user interface, user experience, or interactive elements. Being an independent and elegant woman is a personal value I hold dear, and I believe it’s essential to shine in life. Infusing these qualities into my work not only reflects who I am but also aligns perfectly with the spirit of Venus Jewelry, creating designs that feel authentic and empowering.

Keep designing, keep learning from talented peers, and trust the process. Time has a way of showing you the path, and with persistence, you’ll eventually get to where you want to be—sometimes faster than you expect, sometimes with a few detours that teach you more than you imagined.

I’d love to collaborate with my current colleague, Viktoria. Not only is she a fantastic designer, but she’s also a skilled developer. That means if a design hits a snag during implementation, she can seamlessly adapt it without breaking a sweat. Working with someone who bridges both worlds would make the creative process smooth—and honestly, a lot more fun!

I wish people would ask me more often, “Besides e-commerce, what other types of websites do you design?” My answer is: plenty! I work on event websites, brochure sites, personal portfolios, business websites—you name it. I’m always happy to chat, explore ideas, and come up with creative design solutions beyond just online stores.