DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
FXXSYD : Our main focus was to promote sustainable energy use and reduce environmental impact through more efficient utilization of existing EV charging infrastructure. By enabling the sharing of underused private charging piles, we aimed to minimize the need for new construction, reduce energy waste, and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles. Ultimately, our goal was to contribute to a greener, more resilient urban ecosystem by making clean energy more accessible and practical for everyday users.
DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
FXXSYD : Our focus was to make EV charging more accessible, convenient, and affordable. We aimed to create a seamless platform that empowers EV drivers and charging pile owners alike, while contributing to a more efficient, sustainable urban ecosystem.
DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
FXXSYD : We plan to scale Sharge across cities, enhance its feature set, and explore integration with other clean energy and smart mobility systems. Our goal is to make Sharge a cornerstone of the future green energy landscape.
DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
FXXSYD : The core design of Sharge took approximately four months from concept to MVP, with continuous iterations based on user testing and feedback.
DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
FXXSYD : This was a self-initiated project born from our shared passion for sustainability, technology, and user-centered design. It was not commissioned; we pursued it out of our desire to address a real-world problem.
DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
FXXSYD : Currently, we are developing Sharge independently and intend to retain ownership, with plans to operate the platform ourselves. We are open to strategic partnerships but aim to stay true to our mission.
DI: What made you design this particular type of work?
FXXSYD : We were drawn to the intersection of mobility, technology, and sustainability. The rapid growth of EVs in China, combined with the underutilization of private charging infrastructure, presented a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact.
DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
FXXSYD : We drew inspiration from successful sharing economy platforms, map-based applications, and UX best practices. However, our design philosophy is uniquely shaped by our architectural background and commitment to sustainability.
DI: Who is the target customer for his design?
FXXSYD : Our primary users are EV drivers seeking accessible, affordable charging solutions, and private charging pile owners who want to monetize their underused resources. Together, they form a community that drives Sharge’s ecosystem.
DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
FXXSYD : Sharge’s uniqueness lies in its community-driven model, video navigation features, integrated amenity suggestions, and transparent pricing—all designed to foster trust, accessibility, and environmental impact.
DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
FXXSYD : “Sharge” is a fusion of “Share” and “Charge,” reflecting the core idea of shared EV charging. It’s concise, memorable, and speaks to both our functionality and our mission.
DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
FXXSYD : We used Figma for interface design and prototyping, React Native for app development, Google Maps API for location services, and Notion for team collaboration. We also relied on user research tools for surveys and testing.
DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
FXXSYD : The most unique aspect of Sharge is its combination of decentralized resource sharing, integrated video navigation, and a user-centric interface that transforms a complex task into a seamless experience.
DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
FXXSYD : Our core team consists of three designers with architectural and interaction design expertise. We also consulted with software engineers and EV industry experts to ensure technical feasibility and market relevance.
DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
FXXSYD : Technology is the enabler of Sharge. Without cross-platform app development, real-time data integration, location services, and secure payment systems, Sharge would not be possible. It’s a digital solution for a real-world sustainability challenge.
DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
FXXSYD : Absolutely. We conducted user interviews, surveys, and usability tests with both EV drivers and pile owners. We also analyzed market trends, energy policies, and urban mobility data to ensure our design addresses real pain points.
DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
FXXSYD : Balancing trust, usability, and scalability was a key challenge. We had to design a system that feels safe for private pile owners while being intuitive for drivers. Regulatory differences across regions also added complexity.
DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
FXXSYD : We believe in the power of sharing ideas on a global stage. The A' Design Award provided an opportunity to showcase our vision, learn from the design community, and inspire others to think about design as a tool for societal impact.
DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
FXXSYD : We deepened our understanding of user needs in the green mobility sector, strengthened our teamwork, and honed our ability to translate complex systems into simple, effective solutions. The process reinforced the importance of iterative design and staying user-focused.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
FXXSYD : Sharge is more than an app—it’s a reflection of our belief that design can create real change. It’s a call to action for designers, technologists, and citizens to collaborate in building a more sustainable, equitable, and connected world.
