Xin Wei on SmartWash AI and the Future of Human-Centered Design

Winning a Gold at the MUSE Design Awards means a great deal to me. It is not only a validation of my individual work, but also a kind of “official stamp” on more than ten years of persistence across big tech practice, teaching, industry leadership, and entrepreneurship.

Especially in an era where AI is rapidly transforming design, this recognition gives me strong confidence that user-centered design — one that integrates culture, technology, and emotion — remains irreplaceable. This honor motivates me to continue connecting people with technology and students with the industry through design.

Being recognized by the MUSE Design Awards has had a meaningful impact on my career and our team. The award has increased our visibility within the design community and generated interest in our approach and work. It has also strengthened the confidence and cohesion of our team, reinforcing the value of human-centered and sustainable design.

This recognition has opened new opportunities for collaboration with companies, research institutions, and international design platforms, and has also led to invitations for lectures and educational engagements.

More importantly, it allows me to further promote the philosophy of responsible design and the integration of AI into sustainable, everyday family life, inspiring other designers and organizations to consider long-term social and environmental impact in their work.

Experimentation is a core part of my creative process. I strongly believe that the best designs often emerge from “failing fast and failing forward” through rapid iteration.

For example, in my 2026 award-winning smart home product, we initially built on traditional 2D flat interaction logic. However, user testing revealed overly long paths and high cognitive load. I chose to completely rethink the original approach and experimented with 3D spatial gestures combined with AI-driven predictive interaction. This significantly reduced mis-touches and received strong recognition from the jury. Embracing and learning from failure is the part I enjoy most.

One of the most unusual sources of inspiration came from observing family routines in everyday life. Simple acts like sorting laundry or noticing how clothes wear over time sparked ideas about how AI could support sustainable habits and reduce waste. I realized that meaningful design often emerges from close observation of ordinary, overlooked moments.

I wish more people understood that design is not “beautification” — it is “decision-making.” Every wireframe, color, and animation choice is actually a series of decisions made on behalf of the user.

When people only see the surface aesthetics and miss the deeper understanding of user psychology, behavior, and emotion behind those decisions, design loses its soul.

I approach this balance by listening carefully to clients’ goals and constraints, then framing my design proposals in a way that highlights long-term value and user benefit.

For SmartWash AI, I worked closely with stakeholders to demonstrate how sustainable, AI-driven solutions could meet both business and user needs, enabling innovation while aligning with practical requirements.

One major challenge was integrating AI into a household routine without adding complexity. Users do not want to manage complicated interfaces for something as simple as laundry.

To address this, we conducted extensive user testing, observing real behaviors, and iterated toward a simple, predictive, and adaptive interface. This human-centered approach helped balance intelligence with usability.

When I face a creative block, I step away from screens and immerse myself in everyday life, observing routines, nature, or even mundane household tasks.

Sometimes, inspiration comes from the smallest details. I also discuss ideas with my team or students, as dialogue often sparks new perspectives.

The two values I infuse most into my work are “restraint” and “kindness.” Restraint comes from my big tech training — less is more; not every feature needs to be included.

Kindness comes from teaching: I always ask myself whether this design makes users feel respected and understood. If the answer is no, I start over. Often, these two qualities resonate more deeply than flashy techniques.

First, never only do “what the boss wants” — do what users truly need. Second, conduct user testing consistently; even testing with five people is better than designing in isolation.

Third, keep creating and sharing — even one Xiaohongshu post helps refine your expression and expand your influence. Fourth, do not fear failure. I have seen too many talented designers hold back because they are afraid to make mistakes. Embrace trial and error, iterate boldly — you will go further than you imagine.

I would love to collaborate with Dieter Rams. His philosophy of “less, but better” and his emphasis on responsibility in design resonate deeply with my work. His approach to simplicity, clarity, and sustainability continues to inspire how I integrate AI into everyday life in a responsible way.

I wish people would ask, “How does your design improve everyday life beyond aesthetics?”

My answer is that SmartWash AI aims to seamlessly integrate advanced technology into daily routines, reducing waste, energy use, and cognitive load while supporting mindful and sustainable living. Design, to me, is about meaningful impact, not just appearance.