Daren Cheng is a UX/UI and product designer who sees the world as a canvas for insight and interaction.

Originally from China, Daren is currently exploring the world through design—merging his fascination with history, human behavior, and cultural nuance into intuitive digital experiences. From creating finance tools for international students to blending ancient philosophy with smart home interfaces, Daren’s approach is both grounded and expansive.

He’s not just interested in how things function, but in why people behave the way they do—and how design can guide them with subtlety and care. Recognized by the French Design Awards, London Designer Awards, and IDA, Daren brings a distinct perspective to the global design conversation.

We caught up with him to explore what inspires his process, how culture shapes his craft, and why he sees design as a form of modern-day mindfulness.

Congratulations on being recognized by multiple prestigious international awards. What does meaningful recognition mean to you, and how has it shaped your approach to design?

Thank you. To me, meaningful recognition is about resonance—when an idea or product connects with both users and the broader design community. Awards affirmed that my work isn’t just functional or visually appealing, but also culturally and socially relevant. That realization pushed me to think more deeply about how design can influence behavior, identity, and values. It broadened my focus from aesthetics and usability to long-term impact and storytelling.

One of your award-winning projects, Glowtopia, blends Eastern traditional systems with modern technology. How did you approach this kind of fusion?

Glowtopia was about translating Eastern philosophies into smart home experiences. We abstracted principles from Feng Shui and Zi Wei Dou Shu—like spatial flow and personal rhythm—and turned them into interactive elements. For example, we used lighting and layout suggestions based on directional meaning, and personalized schedules based on birth information. We designed a visual “smart compass” interface to make this feel intuitive without relying on heavy symbolism.

How does your understanding of folklore influence your strategy and cultural sensitivity in design?

Folklore isn’t just tradition—it’s an underlying code that shapes daily choices, values, and emotions. When designing, I try to understand these cultural patterns, not just surface-level aesthetics. For example, in Glowtopia, I studied how Feng Shui concepts express comfort and balance in everyday life. This helped create designs that feel emotionally familiar and culturally grounded.

Let’s talk about Sors, a project that received recognition from the French Design Awards and others. What problem were you aiming to solve for users?

Sors is a finance app tailored for Chinese international students. We identified three key challenges: unfamiliar financial systems, lack of budgeting habits, and emotional stress related to money. Many existing tools didn’t reflect their cultural context or spending behavior. Sors aimed to bridge that gap. We used AI to categorize expenses, introduced holiday-related savings prompts, and offered behavior-based feedback to build healthier financial habits—all in a tone and interface familiar to the users’ background.

AI plays a major role in your design logic, and you’ve also worked at articuler.ai. How have you incorporated AI into your design process?

AI is central at articuler.ai—both in product and design. We use AI to generate email drafts, adjust tone, and suggest send times. During the design process, AI helped us identify user anxieties, like cold-email hesitation. We responded with features like tone sliders and personalized suggestions. Users can even train the AI with past writing, creating a more natural experience.

What have you learned from working in a fast-paced startup like articuler.ai?

Startups taught me to design under uncertainty. There’s rarely enough data, but decisions must be made. I learned to prototype quickly, test small, and rely on cross-functional input. I also saw how design ties into business strategy. It’s not just about interfaces—it’s about momentum, alignment, and clarity in fast-changing environments.

The Fox Magazine is all about inspiration, where do you usually find inspiration for your work?

Buddhist philosophy inspires my design mindset. The concept of interdependence reminds me that users don’t exist in isolation—they’re part of dynamic relationships and contexts. I often apply the idea of the “Middle Way” to design: is this experience balanced, neither too aggressive nor too passive? It helps me stay grounded, especially when designing for complexity.

What does your typical design workflow look like—from concept to prototype?

My workflow follows six stages: Research, Insight, Ideation, Validation, Iteration, and Delivery. I start with interviews and surveys, then define user personas and scenarios. We brainstorm ideas collaboratively, then build quick prototypes in Figma or ProtoPie. Feedback is gathered early and often. Once refined, we prepare specs and animation guides, working closely with developers to ensure quality delivery.

Looking ahead, are there any industries or issues you’re excited to explore through design?

Yes—especially cultural tech, mental wellness, and education equity. I want to bring traditional knowledge into modern platforms using tools like AR or AI. I’m also drawn to designing emotionally supportive tools, like companion-style interfaces that help users build emotional awareness. And I believe design can make learning more inclusive, especially for underserved communities. These are areas where design can truly become a bridge to meaning, dignity, and connection.

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