Yingu Pan and Zhongqi Fu

Yingu:

My journey into product design evolved naturally from my deep-rooted interests in urban design, architecture, and personal hobbies. Initially, my fascination was with the broader strokes of urban planning and architecture, where I sought to understand and contribute to the way urban environments are structured and how they influence human behavior. My work in urban design has exposed me to a variety of design philosophies and the intricate ways in which every element of a city interacts with human life. My transition to product design was triggered by the realization that the principles of creating functional, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing spaces in urban design could be applied to the more intimate scale of product design. My hobbies and activities have honed my attention to detail, appreciation of historical context, and understanding of user experience, all of which are crucial in product design.

Zhongqi:

As an individual deeply fascinated by the power of visual aesthetics, I derive profound fulfillment and joy from the act of crafting exquisite designs. My identity as a UX designer places me at the heart of a discipline that artfully combines design, technology, and psychology. This unique confluence not only enhances my ability to make significant contributions to design but also enables me to meet and exceed human needs, thereby enhancing my ability to solve problems and improve the quality of life. My commitment and intellectual curiosity drive me to apply my design expertise in ways that transform the world, seamlessly integrating impactful designs into everyday experiences. This pursuit is not just a testament to my dedication to excellence; it underscores my pivotal role in fostering a more intuitive and enjoyable human experience, demonstrating my passion for making a meaningful difference through design.

Unibike Co., co-founded by Yingu Pan and Zhongqi Fu, is a forward-thinking startup dedicated to revolutionizing urban mobility through innovative design and technology. Specializing in e-bikes, Unibike Co. introduces a sustainable, user-friendly solution to the challenges of urban commuting. At the heart of its mission is the Unibike, a product of meticulous urban and product design, highlighting a lightweight, rechargeable battery system and a smart, dockless parking feature. Unibike Co. is poised to set new standards in the bike-sharing industry, driven by a deep understanding of urban dynamics and a passion for sustainability.

Yingu, Founder and Chief Designer at Unibike CoHe oversees the overall design process of our bikes, from conceptualizing the business model to detailed visualization and modeling. His role encompasses not only the aesthetic and functional aspects of cycling but also the integration of sustainable urban mobility solutions into our business strategy.

Zhongqi, founder and chief designer of Unibike Co., is dedicated to refining the shared e-bike experience with the innovative Unibike App. Her work not only enhances user engagement but also contributes significantly to marketing effectiveness and customer base expansion.

Design, to us, is a profound blend of art and science, aiming to solve the problems that affect our daily lives, enhancing the quality of life through the use of cutting-edge technology. It transcends mere aesthetics, drawing on a deep understanding of user needs, behaviors, and emotions to create tangible, impactful solutions. Our holistic approach encompasses the entire journey from concept to completion, including in-depth research, iterative design processes, and collaborative efforts across a variety of disciplines.

Empathy is at the heart of our design philosophy. By empathizing with users, we strive to craft intuitive, accessible, and inclusive products that connect with a broad audience. This focus ensures that our designs are not only visually appealing but also genuinely useful and sustainable, effectively addressing real-world challenges with creativity and forward-thinking.

Moreover, design represents our commitment to innovation and challenges the status quo. It's an opportunity to rethink possibilities, turn visions into reality, and drive social and environmental change. Through initiatives like Unibike, we leverage design to significantly improve urban mobility, focusing on sustainability and user experience to develop an electric shared bike system.

Ultimately, design is how we express ideas, explore solutions, and make a meaningful impact. It's about the relentless pursuit of excellence and dedication to creating a more user-friendly and better world, using design as a tool to solve everyday challenges and enhance the quality of life with the latest technology.

My preferred type of design is characterized by its simplicity, fun, and adaptability. These qualities resonate with me because they encapsulate the essence of impactful design – making complex systems accessible and enjoyable for everyone while ensuring that the design can evolve to meet changing needs. Simplicity ensures that the design is intuitive and easy to use, stripping away unnecessary elements to focus on the essentials. Integrating fun into design transforms everyday interactions into enjoyable experiences, engaging users in meaningful ways. Adaptability keeps the design relevant and responsive to new trends, technologies, and user feedback. Together, these attributes create a design approach that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also deeply functional and future-proof, making it my favorite kind of design.

For me, a "good" design achieves a harmonious balance between functionality, aesthetics, and user experience. It should solve a real problem in a simple, intuitive way, making the solution feel almost obvious once it's encountered. A good design is accessible, ensuring that it can be used by as many people as possible, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds. This inclusivity is fundamental, reflecting a deep understanding and empathy for the user.

Moreover, a good design is sustainable, both in terms of environmental impact and its ability to stand the test of time. It should not only minimize negative impacts on the planet but also have the durability and flexibility to adapt as users' needs evolve.

Aesthetically, a good design communicates clearly and effectively, using visual elements to enhance the user's understanding and engagement without overwhelming or confusing them. It should evoke a positive emotional response, whether it's a sense of satisfaction, delight, or trust, contributing to a deeper connection between the user and the product.

In essence, a good design is one that people find easy and enjoyable to use, meets their needs sustainably and ethically, and creates a positive impact on their lives and the environment. It is the result of a thoughtful process that considers every aspect of the user's interaction with the product, aiming not only to meet but to exceed expectations.

Our design style is characterized by minimalism, functionality, and user-centricity, mirroring the ethos of my work on projects like Unibike. At its core, our style emphasizes simplicity, aiming to create designs that are both aesthetically pleasing and easy to navigate. We believe that every element in a design should serve a purpose, avoiding unnecessary clutter that can detract from the user's experience.

Minimalism plays a crucial role in my approach, focusing on clean lines, ample white space, and a restrained color palette to create a sense of calm and clarity. This not only enhances visual appeal but also improves usability, directing the user's attention to the most important aspects of the design.

Functionality is paramount, ensuring that designs are not only beautiful but also practical. We prioritize intuitive interfaces that users can interact with naturally, making technology accessible to a wider audience. Our goal is to create designs that seamlessly integrate into the user's life, enhancing their daily routines without introducing complexity.

User-centricity is the foundation of my design philosophy. We deeply consider the needs, preferences, and behaviors of the target audience, employing empathy to guide the design process. This involves extensive user research and testing to create personalized experiences that resonate with users on a meaningful level.

Together, these characteristics define a design style that is clean, intuitive, and deeply focused on the user experience. It is a style that seeks to bridge the gap between form and function, crafting solutions that are not only visually striking but also genuinely useful and adaptable to changing user needs.

The Unibike project began with a deep-dive research phase to understand our main users–urban cyclists and commuters. Through interviews, surveys, and direct observation, we uncovered insights into their mobility needs and environmental aspirations. This step was critical in identifying the need for an eco-friendly, efficient urban transport solution that is in line with modern lifestyle needs.

In the ideation phase, we used these insights to conceptualize the Unibike shared e-bike system. By sketching, 3D modeling, and early prototyping, our team explored designs focused on ease of use, sustainability, and universal accessibility.

Moving to design refinement, we used digital tools like Figma for high-fidelity prototyping, testing each iteration with our target audience. This process ensured that the system was not only user-friendly but also aesthetically pleasing and fully integrated into urban life. The iterative, feedback-based approach was crucial to refining the final design.

Collaboration with engineers and developers in the final implementation phase brought our vision to life, creating a functional service and continuing to collect user feedback after launch allowed for continuous improvements.

Reflecting on the Unibike project, its success reinforced the importance of user-centric design in addressing urban mobility challenges. This effort highlighted how innovative design can address critical needs, making a positive impact on city life. Unibike has become a testament to the power of design in creating sustainable, user-friendly urban transport solutions, providing valuable lessons for future initiatives.

Growing up in China, we have observed that younger generations frequently use public shared bikes for their daily commute. However, current bike-sharing solutions fall short of meeting the massive demand due to mismatched supply, high maintenance costs, and poor user experience. These challenges are not unique to China; they are prevalent in major cities around the world, including Boston and NYC, where there is a significant need for improved bike systems.

This first-hand observation of the inefficiencies in existing bike-sharing systems has profoundly influenced our design approach. It has instilled in us a keen awareness of the practical challenges faced by users and a commitment to developing solutions that better match their needs. In creating designs like Unibike, we aim to tackle these issues head-on by offering a system that not only matches demand and supplies more effectively but also prioritizes low maintenance costs and a user-friendly experience. Our background and observations have been crucial in shaping a design philosophy that emphasizes practicality, sustainability, and enhanced user satisfaction in urban mobility solutions.

Winning the 2024 NY Product Design Awards is a monumental achievement for me and the team at Unibike Co. This accolade is more than a recognition of our innovation and dedication; it's a celebration of our commitment to transforming urban mobility for the better. It validates our approach to creating user-centric, sustainable transportation solutions, highlighting our efforts to effectively address the challenges of urban commuting.

For our team, this award is an important morale boost. It acknowledges the hard work, creativity, and persistence that went into developing the Unibike system. It reinforces our belief in the power of design to solve real-world problems and encourages us to continue innovating and refining our solutions.

From a company perspective, the award enhances our reputation and positions us as leaders in sustainable urban mobility. It strengthens our brand, making it easier to attract new partners, investors, and users who share our vision for a greener, more efficient urban landscape. The recognition also opens up new opportunities for growth and collaboration, enabling us to expand our impact and reach more communities.

Receiving the NY Product Design Awards is an affirmation of our mission to improve city living through thoughtful design. It motivates us to keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible, inspiring us to explore new ideas and technologies that can make urban environments more accessible and enjoyable for everyone. This award is not just a milestone for Unibike Co, but a stepping stone towards a future where sustainable and user-friendly transportation is the norm.

The winning entry for the 2024 NY Product Design Awards was our Unibike project, a revolutionary shared e-bike system designed to address the pressing challenges of urban mobility. The Unibike project stood out for its holistic approach to sustainability, user experience, and technological innovation, making it an exemplary model of modern product design in the field of urban transportation.

Unibike was chosen for the awards because it encapsulates our vision for a greener, more connected urban future. It directly addresses the critical issues of mismatched demand and supply, high maintenance costs, and poor user experiences that plague existing bike-sharing systems, not only in our observations within Chinese cities but also across major global urban centers like Boston and NYC. Our system is designed to be intuitively accessible, environmentally sustainable, and adaptable to the evolving needs of urban dwellers, providing a viable, user-friendly alternative to traditional urban transportation.

At its core, Unibike integrates advanced technology with user-centric design principles. The bikes are engineered for durability and ease of use, featuring a modular design that simplifies maintenance and reduces operational costs. Coupled with a smart, responsive app, Unibike offers an enhanced user experience that includes seamless navigation, real-time availability data, and personalized ride analytics to encourage more residents to embrace cycling as a daily commute option.

Entering the Unibike project into the NY Product Design Awards was a strategic decision to showcase our innovative approach to solving real-world problems through design. We believed that Unibike's emphasis on sustainability, coupled with its potential to significantly improve urban living, would resonate with the award's criteria and ethos. Winning this award not only validates our efforts and the impact of our work but also contributes to raising awareness of the importance of sustainable urban mobility solutions.

The biggest challenge with the Unibike project was not only balancing user-centric design, technological innovation, and sustainability but also differentiating our system in the crowded urban mobility market of Boston, where residents are already familiar with established bike-sharing services like Blue Bike and Citi Bike. Achieving visibility and preference among these options requires us to go beyond just physical design and functionality.

A pivotal moment came when we recognized the opportunity to integrate the bike-sharing experience more deeply into users' daily lives, beyond the act of cycling itself. We introduced the innovative concept of a user-owned detachable battery. It wasn't just any battery; it was designed as a smart portable power bank that users could take with them. It allows to charge the bike and also power other essential devices such as phones and laptops. This integration meant that Unibike was not just a transportation tool but a companion that enhanced users' lifestyles by addressing a common concern: the need for power on the go.

This unique feature sets Unibike apart in the Boston market, providing a tangible value addition that existing services did not offer. The detachable battery concept emphasized convenience and utility, making Unibike an integral part of the user's daily ecosystem, not just for mobility but as a solution to their broader lifestyle needs.

Addressing the initial challenge of standing out required us to look beyond the bike itself and consider what impacts users' daily lives. This approach, coupled with our commitment to sustainability and user-centric design, has helped us overcome the barriers of market saturation and user habituation to established brands. It demonstrated the importance of innovative thinking and the power of design to create distinctive, life-enhancing solutions in competitive urban environments.

Winning the 2024 NY Product Design Awards has significantly impacted our practice and the trajectory of Unibike Co., catapulting us into a heightened phase of growth and visibility. This prestigious recognition not only confirmed our commitment to innovative urban mobility solutions but also solidified our position in the design and technology sectors.

The accolade has unlocked numerous opportunities for collaboration and investment, which are critical to extending our reach and deepening our impact across cities. It has attracted the attention of potential partners and investors, driven by our proven, award-winning approach to enhancing urban commutes, fueling our expansion efforts and our ability to continue innovation.

For our user community, the award has served as a beacon of excellence, strengthening their trust in Unibike as a premier option for sustainable urban transport. This distinction has been vital in differentiating us in a competitive marketplace, facilitating user engagement and loyalty by assuring them of the quality and dependability of our service.

Collectively, the award has served as an important motivator, inspiring us to push the boundaries of design and sustainability even further. It has expanded our professional network, connecting us with industry experts and mentors, whose insights have been instrumental in refining our design ethos and methodologies.

In sum, the NY Product Design Awards have stimulated both professional growth and team development, highlighting the critical roles of innovation, user focus, and environmental responsibility in design. It has driven us to relentlessly pursue excellence, embrace new challenges, and continue to contribute meaningfully to urban mobility solutions.

At the heart of our fascination with design lies the limitless potential for creative problem-solving. Design inherently involves devising innovative solutions, often challenging traditional boundaries. This aspect invites us to a rich, creative journey, transforming each challenge into a puzzle to be solved with creativity, intuition, and innovation. It goes beyond aesthetics, focusing instead on creating transformative solutions that enhance functionality and enrich users' lives. The excitement of bringing abstract concepts to tangible fruition, and positively impacting user experiences, is profoundly rewarding.

Moreover, our commitment to user-centric design is fundamental. This approach puts the user's needs, emotions, and interactions at the forefront of the design process, ensuring that our creations are not only practical but also deeply empathetic. It requires an intimate understanding of the user's relationship with products and services, guiding our design choices to enhance their experience. This methodology infuses our work with meaning and relevance, bridging the gap between humans and the designed environment in an intuitive, accessible, and impactful way. It compels us to adopt diverse perspectives, nurturing a design philosophy that is both innovative and compassionate.

In addition, the dynamic nature of the design field energizes us. With the constant introduction of new technologies, methods, and trends, the design landscape is constantly evolving. This ongoing change requires continuous learning and adaptation, encouraging us to refine our approaches, explore new tools, and stay informed of the latest developments. This ever-changing environment challenges us to remain innovative and versatile, fostering our growth and ensuring our designs remain at the forefront of possibilities. It presents each day as a fresh adventure to discover, learn, and evolve.

China's unique position in the design industry stems from a combination of its rich cultural heritage, rapid economic expansion, unparalleled manufacturing capabilities, cutting-edge technological innovation, significant global influence, strong government support, and dynamic cross-disciplinary collaborations. This multifaceted approach places China distinctively on the global design stage.

China's deep-rooted cultural heritage provides a fertile ground for design, infusing traditional motifs with modern aesthetics. This fusion results in designs that are not only innovative but also richly infused with historical significance, offering the world a taste of China's millennia-old traditions.

Coupled with its cultural richness is China's rapid economic growth and advanced manufacturing infrastructure. These elements enable designers to bring their visions to life with remarkable speed and precision, enabling China to rapidly bring innovative products to the global market.

Technological innovation, especially in digital and mobile arenas, further defines China's design landscape. This technological prowess fosters a forward-looking design approach, expanding the realm of possibilities for designers to explore and innovate.

China's global influence and government support for the design sector amplify its impact. As Chinese design gains international acclaim, it not only showcases China's aesthetic values but also encourages a global dialogue, enhancing cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.

Finally, cross-disciplinary collaborations within China are pushing the boundaries of traditional design. By integrating insights from technology, arts, and social sciences, Chinese designers are creating holistic solutions that address the complexities of contemporary life.

These components collectively forge China's unique identity in the design world, combining tradition with modernity and local insights with global trends, enriching the global design narrative with its distinctive perspective.

Over the next 5-10 years, the design industry will see a significant evolution driven by digital transformation, user-centric design, sustainability, and ethical considerations. Augmented and virtual reality will become increasingly prominent, while collaborative remote work will reshape how designers collaborate. Data-driven design methods will gain traction, enabling designers to create more effective and personalized experiences. In addition, cross-disciplinary skills will be in high demand as the boundaries between different design disciplines continue to blur. Overall, adaptability, creativity, and a focus on user needs will be critical for designers to navigate and thrive in this rapidly changing landscape.

If you are entering the design industry or considering submitting to the NY Product Design Awards, our advice would be:

Understand the context: Before anything else, grasp the current trends, challenges, and opportunities within the design industry. Knowing what's innovative and relevant can shape your projects to be more impactful.

Focus on problem-solving: Design is about solving problems creatively. Whether you're working on a class project or preparing your award submission, always start with the problem you're trying to solve. This approach not only strengthens your design but also makes your work more compelling to judges and potential employers.

Stay Informed and Inspired: Continuously seek out new sources of inspiration and keep up with design news. Engaging with the wider design community through events, online forums, and publications can spark new ideas and approaches.

Look at online courses on platforms like Coursera or Udemy. They offer a wide range of design topics. YouTube also has an extensive library of tutorials for software like Adobe Creative Suite and Sketch. Perfect for visual learners. Smashing Magazine and Behance are great for inspiration and keeping up with design trends.

If podcasts are your thing, 99% Invisible explores the unseen aspects of design and architecture. Finally, engaging with design communities through Meetup or Slack can provide valuable networking and learning opportunities.

Originally, Unibike was conceived with MIT and Havard University students and faculty in mind, hence the name "UNI." This focus was on enhancing campus mobility. However, as the project developed, we recognized its broader potential. Unibike's scalability and adaptability have emerged, revealing opportunities for widespread urban implementation, far beyond the confines of academic environments.

Professor Jinhua Zhao, Yingu's professor at MIT, was a pivotal inspiration in our journey. His holistic approach to urban mobility, combining behavioral science with transportation technology, has profoundly influenced our perspective on designing solutions that are not just functional but transformative. Professor Zhao's dedication to decarbonizing mobility through innovative projects and ventures like TRAM. Global echoes my aspirations for Unibike Co. His mentorship, particularly in MIT's Mobility Venture course, has provided invaluable insights into integrating sustainable practices with entrepreneurial endeavors. His ability to foster cross-cultural learning and leverage AI for the future of urban mobility has been instrumental in shaping our approach to the complexities of urban transportation. Professor Zhao's passion for working with students and his visionary leadership in the field of urban mobility have encouraged me to pursue bold solutions like Unibike, aiming to make a significant impact on how cities envision transportation.

Our key to success at Unibike Co. lies in a deep-rooted commitment to understanding and innovating within the urban landscape. We believe that the future of urban mobility depends on designs that are not only technologically advanced but also intimately connected to the real needs of city dwellers. By prioritizing sustainability, user experience, and smart integration, we aim to transform everyday commutes into seamless, enjoyable journeys. Our parting words of wisdom: Never underestimate the impact of thoughtful design on improving the fabric of urban life. Embrace challenges as opportunities for innovation, and always keep the needs of the end user at the forefront of your creative process.