Yinghua Lu

I chose to become a product designer because of my profound love for footwear. From a very young age, I was captivated by shoes, constantly observing the latest trends and popular styles on the streets. Eventually, I had a thought: why not pursue a career in footwear design? This realization led me to relocate to Los Angeles and embark on my journey at ArtCenter.

As a footwear designer, my primary responsibility is to conceptualize and bring to life designs for shoes. Each day, I immerse myself in observing current fashion trends, industry developments, and what people are wearing to anticipate the next big trend. The challenge lies in striking a delicate balance between creativity and commercial viability. It's essential to infuse each design with creativity while ensuring it appeals to consumers and can be manufactured efficiently. After all, no matter how innovative a concept may be, its success ultimately hinges on its feasibility for production.

To me, design is the process of transforming ideas and concepts into tangible and functional solutions that enhance people's lives. As a footwear designer, it's about more than just creating aesthetically pleasing shoes; it's about understanding the needs and desires of consumers, interpreting fashion trends, and innovating to create products that not only look good but also perform well and resonate with the market. Design is a harmonious blend of creativity, functionality, and feasibility, with the ultimate goal of delivering meaningful and impactful experiences to users.

Definitely footwear design. The allure of footwear lies in its ability to blend fashion, functionality, and innovation seamlessly. Footwear design allows me to channel my passion for creativity into tangible products that people wear every day. I love the challenge of staying ahead of trends, infusing each design with unique storytelling elements, and finding that perfect balance between creativity and commercial viability. Plus, the fast-paced nature of the industry keeps me constantly engaged and inspired.

To me, a "good" design transcends mere functionality and aesthetics; it fosters a profound emotional connection with its users. Footwear, in particular, possesses this magical quality

My design style is characterized by a harmonious balance between aesthetics and practicality, with a focus on understated elegance and seamless integration of details and inspiration.

My design process varies depending on the project at hand, but it consistently follows a logical sequence: observation, research, ideation, and prototyping. Observation allows me to gain a deep understanding of the subject matter, while thorough research from the outset helps me uncover insights and identify optimal solutions.

As a Chinese person, I am influenced by the subtle and reserved nature of Chinese culture. Just like kung fu, which uses softness to overcome hardness. My cultural background leads me to pay attention to details while focusing on engaging content. This aspect greatly aids me in storytelling because captivating narratives are often filled with intricate details that invite careful examination.

Winning the 2024 NY Product Design Award is a tremendous honor for myself especially lots of professional designers, big name company is competing at the same time. It signifies not only wider recognition of my work but also serves as validation of my design prowess within the competitive landscape of the industry. This achievement showcases our commitment to innovation, creativity, and excellence in design. Furthermore, it demonstrating my ability to deliver exceptional design solutions that resonate with both consumers and industry peers.

HYPEX is a creek shoe design that seamlessly integrates outdoor functionality with hypebeast style. What distinguishes HYPEX is its innovative incorporation of safety belt-inspired elements, providing a secure foot lockdown for maximum stability, even in challenging terrains. Users can adjust the shoe's flexibility by pulling the metal pieces outward for a looser fit or pushing them inward for a tighter fit, with varying levels of elastic bands overlay. Additionally, the visual language of gorpcore style enhances comfort and support, setting a new standard for urban river tracing enthusiasts. The integration of speed dry materials, ergonomic design, and outdoor footwear trends forms the foundation of this project, ensuring that HYPEX offers unparalleled performance and aesthetics.

The reason I chose to enter this concept into the competition is to introduce something unique to the footwear industry. I aim to showcase a product that appeals to trendy individuals, highlighting its suitability for outdoor use. My goal is to draw attention to this innovative concept and encourage more people to consider it as a stylish option for their outdoor activities.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was striking the right balance between aesthetics and functionality. While designing for trendy individuals, I also had to ensure the shoe met the performance demands of water tracing activities. This required careful consideration to seamlessly integrate fashionable elements with practical features, ultimately delivering a product that not only looks stylish but also performs exceptionally well in outdoor environments.

Winning the 2024 NY Product Design Award has significantly advanced my career and practice. Amidst stiff competition from seasoned professionals and major companies, this accolade represents a significant milestone. It not only highlights broader recognition of my work but also validates my design expertise within the competitive industry landscape. This achievement underscores my dedication to innovation, creativity, and excellence in design, while also showcasing my ability to deliver exceptional solutions that resonate with both consumers and industry peers.

My top three favorite things about our industry are the constant innovation and evolution, the opportunity to be part of the creative process and potentially even the creator behind the scenes, and the satisfaction of identifying and solving unaddressed pain points to improve people's lives. Each day brings something new and exciting, keeping my mind stimulated and refreshed.

What sets my country apart in the design industry is its remarkable efficiency and rapid response within the supply chain. This agility enables us to achieve seemingly impossible feats and deliver results that often exceed expectations.

I foresee the footwear design industry evolving over the next 5-10 years towards a paradigm where shoes are not just individual products people buy, but rather integral pieces that complement and enhance their outfits. Each shoe will be imbued with its own unique story, becoming a statement piece that adds depth and personality to the wearer's ensemble.

For aspiring students entering the industry or those considering submitting to the NY Product Design Awards, my advice would be to focus on effectively communicating your story to the viewer. Pay attention to the details and thoroughly understand the motivation behind your design decisions. Ultimately, it's all about effectively communicating your ideas and the story behind your design.

I would recommend exploring design websites, subscribing to design magazines, and studying past design award winners. These resources offer valuable insights into current trends, innovative techniques, and exemplary designs, providing inspiration and opportunities for skill development.

Opportunity, timing, place, and effort take me to this point. I have nothing but gratitude.

I've been fortunate to draw inspiration from many individuals in my life. My father has always sparked my imagination since I was young, while my mother's unwavering encouragement has been a constant source of inspiration. Additionally, as I've entered this industry, numerous designers I've had conversations with have provided me with courage and guidance. Their insights and wisdom inspire me every day, expanding my knowledge and pushing me to new heights in my career.

Embrace every challenge as an opportunity for growth, stay true to your passion, and never underestimate the power of perseverance.