We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Yuxuan Hua about their original and creative AR Smartwatch design work. Yuxuan Hua is an award-winning service designer, that makes our world a better place with their original ar smartwatch works.
Yuxuan Hua ("YH") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Lens AR Smartwatch. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
YH : The design centers around turning the everyday into something emotionally resonant. Inspired by a simple act—scooping ice cream—it aims to bring a sense of lightness and joy to an otherwise utilitarian object, reimagining the humidifier as something delightful rather than invisible.
YH : I wanted to shift perception—to create a product that didn’t just serve a function, but one that people could emotionally connect with. The focus was on soft interaction, clarity, and sensory delight.
YH : We hope to continue exploring partnerships for production and distribution, and possibly expand the design language into a series of wellness-focused objects.
YH : The full process—from ideation to prototyping and final visuals—spanned roughly 2 to 3 months. Much of that time was spent refining form, interaction, and tone.
YH : It was an independent exploration—sparked by a moment of inspiration and developed into a full concept. I wanted to see if an object as ordinary as a humidifier could carry emotional weight.
YH : At the moment, it's a concept, but we’re open to licensing or co-developing it with the right partner.
YH : The desire to challenge overlooked categories—things that are often purely functional and hidden in plain sight. I wanted to show that even these objects can be beautiful, comforting, and worth celebrating.
YH : I drew subtle inspiration from minimalist Japanese products and everyday rituals—particularly how MUJI and Nendo approach simplicity, warmth, and utility.
YH : People who value emotional connection in everyday objects—homeowners, renters, or anyone looking to bring a little softness and personality into their living spaces.
YH : Its emotional narrative and form language. Most humidifiers are utilitarian and anonymous—this one invites interaction and joy, while maintaining function.
YH : “Melt” came from both its visual language and emotional tone—soft, fluid, gentle. It reflects both the design inspiration (ice cream) and the product’s calming, ambient nature.
YH : SolidWorks for form development, KeyShot for visualization, and a mix of sketching and physical prototyping to explore interaction.
YH : The cap design—it mimics an ice cream scoop, shaping a gentle channel for water to flow in easily. It’s form, function, and story in one gesture.
YH : It was a solo concept, but I gathered feedback from peers with experience in manufacturing and marketing to shape its viability.
YH : Technology supports the experience subtly—automated mist control, quiet operation, and sensor-based responsiveness. It’s there to serve, not distract.
YH : Research focused on user interviews and behavior observation—how people interact with wellness products, what frustrates them, and what brings them comfort. The insights were more emotional than analytical.
YH : Balancing emotional expression with functional clarity—making sure the form didn’t compromise usability, and vice versa. Also, conveying the concept’s tone through static visuals was a creative challenge.
YH : It felt like the right moment to share the project more widely—to see how it resonated outside my immediate design circle, and to celebrate a piece that was deeply personal.
YH : That even small, personal ideas can have big emotional impact. I learned to trust my instincts, and to communicate a product’s emotional value as clearly as its functional benefits.
YH : Just that design doesn’t always have to be loud to be meaningful. Sometimes, the quietest ideas are the ones that stay with people the longest.
