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Shaping Innovations, Strategically

Transportation

Product

UX . Service

Brand

I help organizations shape their next product and digital innovations- through foresight, strategic thinking, and human-centered design.

I help organizations shape their next product and digital innovations
- through foresight, strategic thinking, and human-centered design.

Expertise

Lead Strategic Design Process

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Product  (ID . UI / HMI)

 User Experience

Brand

Service

Clients

Clients

Innovation Approach

Build Empathy & Awareness

+

Envision Possibilities

+

Co-Create Solutions

+

Co-Build Strategies

+

Guide & Focus Process

A human-centric creative approach,

augmented by foresight, tech and business knowledge

  • Plan & lead research - qualitative and ethnographic studies, surveys, desk research & benchmarking. To learn about:

    People

    Lifestyle, aspirations, attitudes, values, aesthetic preferences...

    Artifacts

    Use scenarios, tasks, intents, mental models, pain points, expectations...

    Context

    Living environment, social dynamics, culture...

    Market

    Design positioning, messaging, sales performance, feedbacks...

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Volkswagen - China Gen-Y Research

Know Customers + Check Hypotheses

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BD - Ethnography in Chinese Hospitals

Study Infusion in High Workload Situations

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Culture x Aesthetic Preferences Study

Explain "Craftsmanship" in China Context

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EVRI - Autoethnography on Last-mile Delivery Process

Hunt for Cutting-Edge Research Topics

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  • Trend scouting, alternative scenarios, speculative design

    Emerging Phenomena
    New tech, policies, social-economical events, culture... What are they?

    Potential Implications

    How likely will new phenomena change status quo? To what extent?

    Potential Responses

    How might we prepare for potential disruptions?  

    Potential Opportunities

    How might we harness the potential of new phenomena?

  • Conduct trend observations, tech scouting, future scenario mapping, and speculative design - to understand:

    Emerging Phenomena
    New tech, policies, macro/micro events... What are they?

    Impact to Status Quo / Future Scenarios

    What trajectory will a new phenomenon take? A fad? Natural evolution? "Tectonic shift"? Why we believe so?

    Implication to Organizations... 

    How might we prepare for changes and disasters? 

    Potential Opportunities

    What are the emerging need? What innovations?

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FORD - Autonomous Mobility Vision

Plan for Probable Future Scenarios

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FordPass - Connected Car Security Concept

Speculate New Product Opportunities

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Cardboard Tubing Chair

Experiment with Novel Ideas

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Aesthetics x Tech Scouting

Inspire + Stimulate R&D Creativity

  • Frameworks, Mood boards & Stakeholder workshops -  spark ideas, drive discussion, align direction, drive actions

    Brand Model and Positioning
    Are we future relevant? How to evolve? What spectrum should we cover?

    Experience & Design DNA

    What stories to tell? How to express meaning? Consistency vs Variety?

    Product & Service Planning

    What to offer? Who to target? How to win hearts? How to differentiate?

    Technology, Component & Modularity Strategy

    What innovation to develop? How to balance cost and originality?

  • Learn from users and domain experts; Involve stakeholders in innovation process to open mindsets & gain early buy-ins

    Idea Generation
    Run workshops, design sprints, open innovation challenges

    Idea Prototyping

    Build models, storyboards and concept pitches

    Idea Testing 

    Gather feedbacks, gauge desirability level, evolve design...

    Design Scoping

    Identify requirements, target specs, tech choice, priorities...

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FORD - "Glocal" In-Car UX Transformation

Ideate Use Cases + UX Innovations

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Chariot - Ride-Sharing Service Enhancement

Prototype Service Enhancement Ideas

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Which? - Evolving UK's Trusted Car Buying Guide

Outline AI & Content Update Expectations

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SC Johnson - Pest Control Innovation

Test Product Concepts' Desirability

  • Workshops, crowd-sourcing, testings with users

    Idea Generation 
    Feature & functions; Use scenarios; Themes & stories; Technical solutions

    Idea Prototyping & Testing

    Desirability, prioritization, purchase intent, emotive resonance...

    Idea Testing 

    User requirements, specification, task flows, information architecture...

    Design Evaluations

    Usability, accessibility, satisfaction, task performance, errors...

  • Develop frameworks to drive cross-function discussions - Spark ideas, align minds, determine direction, trigger actions

    Brand Model and Positioning
    Are we future relevant? How to evolve? What spectrum should we cover?

    Experience & Design DNA

    What stories to tell? How to express meaning? Consistency vs Variety?

    Product & Service Planning

    What to offer? Who to target? How to win hearts? How to differentiate?

    Technology, Component & Modularity Strategy

    What innovation to develop? How to balance cost and originality?

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LOTUS - Vision 2030

Recalibrate the Brand's Value Proposition

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FORD - China Line-up Revamp

Refresh Ford's Appeal in China

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Volvo Trucks - Emotive CX Exploration

Develop Next-gen Service Blueprint

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Midea - New Portable Heater Portfolio

Portfolio Update + Innovation Roadmap

  • HMI/ UI/UX Development

    Information Architecture
    Domain modeling, Content audits

    Wireframing & Prototyping

    AAA

    Usability Testing

    AAA

    Accessibility Audit

    Heuristic evaluation, accessibility audit, usability testing

  • Drive HCD process, ensuring users are always thoughtfully  championed throughout the UX development cycle. 

    Information Architecture (IA)
    Content audits, card sorting, tree tests, domain modeling

    Wireframing & Prototyping

    FIGMA / FIGMA Make, paper prototypes

    UX, Usability and Accessibility Evaluation 

    Audits and testing techniques, measurement metrics, WCAG & GDS guidelines

    Web Development 

    (**) Currently studying on HTML / JAVA / CSS coding

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Which? - Evolving UK's Trusted Car Buying Guide

IA & Wireframing

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Hancent Technologies - X9 Sonography Device

Design Ergonomics

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JISC - Survey System Accessibility Audits

Review WCAG Compliance Level

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FORD - Capacitive Touch Interface

Define Key Features & Control Logic

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LNHS - Website UX & Usability Evaluation

Support Website Redesign Scoping

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FORD - e-Shifter Redesign

Establish Redesign Direction

  • Build empathy + situational awareness

    People

    Interviews, focus group, diary study

    Context

    Ethnographic research, contextual observation, tag-along study

    Trend

    PESTLE analysis, Design trend study

    Market

    Competitor benchmarking, sales trend analysis

  • Explore + visualize the possibilities

    Scenarios

    Alternative futures; storyboards, design fiction

    Opportunities

    Identify unsatisfied needs / trend implications

    New Solutions

    Speculative design, concept co-creation, concept testing

    Case Building

    Business model hypothesis, value proposition, impact analysis

  • Define directions & winning game plan 

    Brand

    Positioning and differentiation, Vision & mission statement, value/identity 

    Portfolio / Cycle Plan

    Cross-product line planning, update, mapping, maintenance

    Product 

    Concept / value proposition definition, emotive strategy

    Technology

    Content scouting and selection

    Service

    User journey, service blueprint, workflow optimization

  • Develop human-centric products

    Co-creation

    Co-creation workshop, design sprints, Usability Testing

    Industrial Design

    Sketching, rendering, 3ds max, Rhinoceros, SolidWorks, AutoCAD

    Graphic / Illustration

    Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign;  Microsoft PowerPoint 

    UI/UX

    FIGMA, Adobe XD, Optimal Workshop, WiX Studio

    Prototyping

    Paper prototypes, foam modeling, role-play, 3D printing

  • Industrial Design & Engineering

    Information Architecture
    Domain modeling 

    Wireframing

    AAA

    Wireframing & Information Architecture

    AAA

    Usability Testing

    AAA

  • Convey "where to play" and "how to win" from design POV; Inspire creativity; Influence design-related decisions.

    Design Brief Writing
    Mood boards, themes / keywords, and intent statements, developed with cross-function inputs.  

    DNA / Design System Building

    Co-create principles, guidelines, and catalogs

    Design Proposal Development

    Find inspirations, build logic & stories, make concept sketches

     

    Win Buy-ins from Other Functions

    Convince direction with data-backed evidence / POVs

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FORD - China Line-up Revamp

Communicate Design Intent

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Uniview - Next-gen Security Camera Family

Create Award-Winning Visual Language

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Midea - New Portable Heater Portfolio

Establish Portfolio-wide Consistency

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ROBAM - Insight-infused CMF Development

Convince Niche Product Line Launch

My Unique Superpowers

Human + Business + Creative POVs --
holistic thinking essential to R&D

My research brings inspirations and foresights not fully explored in conventional research, expanding situation and trend awareness. 

Connect + empower teams --
by creating clarity from ambiguity

My info synthesis and storytelling capabilities inspire ideation, guide thinking, facilitate co-creation, and drive discussion/alignment cross-functionally.

Lead creative development --

actionable strategies & solutions 

With multi-disciplinary + cross-industry background, I understand "where", "why", and "how" to drive innovation initiatives in global & cross-disciplinary setting.

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Endorsement

Jeff is extremely talented - merging creative thinking with advanced business strategies. From data analysis to future scenarios hypothesis - he’s a core resource for a strategic design team. Working with him has been an absolute pleasure. His attitude to work has always been proactive and positive, and he’s a strong team player.

Andrea Rosati, Head of Strategic Design

Lotus Tech Creative Centre

"Jeff is a passionate and creative individual who can energize the team. No matter what projects were assigned to him, he consistently strived for excellence. He displayed leadership ability along with an innovative mindset, and he exceeded expectations in his role at CBi China Bridge.

Gump Huang, VP Insight & Innovation Studio

CBi China Bridge

Jeff is a man of great passion. He possesses deep technical knowledge & understanding of the products that fill our everyday lives, while also building an inspiring vision for and curiosity about how such products may evolve for better use to us in the future... As a project lead, Jeff was methodical, careful, and thorough. His effective management, planning of tasks, and communication allowed the entire team to work stress-free and collaboratively.."

Scott Lenkowsky, Senior Industrial Designer

International

Jeff works hard to make things happen. He makes what seems impossible happen, which brings new opportunities. He challenges status quo & embraces uncertainty. He is always the good one to ask questions because he's always ready to help & be able to help.

Junyi Zhu (Annie), Senior Design Lead

IDEO Shanghai

Creative Partners

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Contact

Let's Have a Chat!

Looking forward to our next encounters.

Experience

16 Years in Innovation

From conception to go-to-market

Operate in Multiple Markets / Cultures

North America, China, Europe/UK

Lead Multi-Disciplinary Creative Development

Design . User Experience (UX) . Engineering  . 

Marketing . Program Management

Facilitate Collaboration Inside and Out

In-house staff . Agency/Independent consultant

  • Build empathy + situational awareness

    People

    Interviews, focus group, diary study

    Context

    Ethnographic research, contextual observation, tag-along study

    Trend

    PESTLE analysis, Design trend study

    Market

    Competitor benchmarking, sales trend analysis

  • Explore + visualize the possibilities

    Scenarios

    Alternative futures; storyboards, design fiction

    Opportunities

    Identify unsatisfied needs / trend implications

    New Solutions

    Speculative design, concept co-creation, concept testing

    Case Building

    Business model hypothesis, value proposition, impact analysis

  • Define directions & winning game plan 

    Brand

    Positioning and differentiation, Vision & mission statement, value/identity 

    Portfolio / Cycle Plan

    Cross-product line planning, update, mapping, maintenance

    Product 

    Concept / value proposition definition, emotive strategy

    Technology

    Content scouting and selection

    Service

    User journey, service blueprint, workflow optimization

  • Develop human-centric products

    Co-creation

    Co-creation workshop, design sprints, Usability Testing

    Industrial Design

    Sketching, rendering, 3ds max, Rhinoceros, SolidWorks, AutoCAD

    Graphic / Illustration

    Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign;  Microsoft PowerPoint 

    UI/UX

    FIGMA, Adobe XD, Optimal Workshop, WiX Studio

    Prototyping

    Paper prototypes, foam modeling, role-play, 3D printing

Clients . Employers

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