We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Zilian(Joy) Li about their original and creative Virtual Travel Interface design work. Zilian(Joy) Li is an award-winning communication designer, that makes our world a better place with their original virtual travel interface works.
Zilian(Joy) Li ("ZL") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Voyease Virtual Travel Interface. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
ZL : The core idea behind VoyEase is to create a more human and inclusive form of virtual travel. The inspiration came from a simple question: how can design help people who are unable to travel—due to age, illness, or distance—still feel connected to the world? Rather than offering another static virtual tour, we wanted to design an experience that is real-time, personal, sensory, and emotionally engaging.
ZL : Our main focus was on designing an interface and interaction system that feels intuitive, emotionally warm, and respectful of each user’s limitations. We wanted to achieve more than just remote visual access—we aimed to create a sense of presence, allowing users to engage with people and places in real time through a sensory-rich, personal journey.
ZL : We plan to further refine the concept and explore technical collaborations to test key features such as real-time streaming and sensory feedback. We hope to build a working prototype and eventually develop an inclusive platform that can benefit real users in healthcare, elder care, and education.
ZL : Our main focus was on designing an interface and interaction system that feels intuitive, emotionally warm, and respectful of each user’s limitations. We wanted to achieve more than just remote visual access—we aimed to create a sense of presence, allowing users to engage with people and places in real time through a sensory-rich, personal journey.
ZL : This was a self-initiated project based on our shared interest in designing for social impact. We were motivated by real-world challenges—especially the emotional and social needs of people who are physically isolated—and wanted to explore how design could offer a meaningful response.
ZL : As a conceptual design, VoyEase has not yet entered production. However, we are open to collaboration or licensing opportunities in the future, especially with partners in healthcare, education, and cultural sectors where this platform could create real value.
ZL : We wanted to explore how digital design could extend human experiences beyond physical limits. The idea of helping people who are unable to travel feel reconnected with the world through sensory, real-time interaction felt both timely and meaningful.
ZL : We were inspired by inclusive design pioneers who advocate for accessibility and empathy in digital experiences. Projects that combine technology with emotional depth, like sensory storytelling in interaction design, also helped shape our approach.
ZL : The design is aimed at people who are unable to travel due to physical, geographic, or situational limitations. This includes elderly individuals, people with mobility challenges, or those in long-term isolation. It is also suitable for education, tourism, and cultural access programs.
ZL : Unlike traditional virtual tours, VoyEase emphasizes real-time interaction, emotional presence, and multi-sensory engagement. It is not a passive viewing experience, but a shared journey shaped by the user’s own wishes, making it deeply personal and human-centered.
ZL : The name “VoyEase” is a blend of “voyage” and “ease.” It reflects our goal of making travel more accessible, effortless, and emotionally smooth for those who cannot physically explore the world. It also suggests the idea of traveling with comfort, simplicity, and personal meaning.
ZL : We used Figma for interface design and prototyping, along with Adobe Illustrator and After Effects for visual development and motion exploration. Storyboards and journey maps were hand-drawn or built with digital sketch tools during the early concept phase.
ZL : The most unique aspect is the combination of first-person real-time travel with a sensory interaction system tailored to users’ personal wishes. Instead of offering one-way content, VoyEase creates an emotional and interactive journey that adapts to individual needs and limitations.
ZL : The project was developed in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team including interface designers, experience researchers, motion designers, and concept developers. While we did not build a working prototype, we consulted with specialists in wearable technology and remote sensing during the early design phase.
ZL : Technology serves as an enabler in this design. It allows remote interaction to feel immediate, sensory, and human. Instead of focusing on complex hardware, we used existing technologies like real-time streaming, voice control, and scent simulation to serve a more emotional and accessible experience.
ZL : Yes, the design is grounded in qualitative research. We conducted user interviews and scenario-based testing focused on elderly users, people with mobility challenges, and long-term isolated individuals. These insights shaped the emotional tone, interface clarity, and interaction simplicity of the system.
ZL : One challenge was simulating a meaningful travel experience without relying on expensive or experimental hardware. We also had to find a balance between immersive design and accessibility. Sensory simulation, especially smell, posed technical limits, so we focused on a few universally recognizable scents.
ZL : We believe design is not only about function but also about impact. A’ Design Award offers a global platform that values cultural context, social relevance, and emotional thinking. We felt this project belonged in a space that encourages inclusive and human-centered innovation.
ZL : We deepened our understanding of inclusive design and learned how to translate empathy into practical interaction systems. It also taught us how to balance emotional storytelling with clear structure, so that users can feel connected while never getting lost in the interface.
ZL : We believe the future of virtual experiences lies not in replicating reality, but in reimagining connection. VoyEase is just one small step toward designing for those often left behind. We hope more projects in the future will speak for emotional access, not just visual access.
