Zhaoning (Jony) Yuan 袁赵宁

Zhaoning (Jony) Yuan 袁赵宁 featured image

About

Zhaoning (Jony), an RCA graduate with a solid foundation in industrial design, has journeyed through academia with a blend of traditional industrial design principles and innovative concepts, allowing him to produce designs that synthesise practicality with future-readiness.

Having honed his skills in adaptability, collaboration, and project management through experiences in the dynamic environments of start-ups and the entertainment industry, Jony is noted for his quick learning ability. His keen interest in incorporating new skills and cutting-edge technology into his workflow consistently fuels his passion for innovation.

In his quest for innovative solutions, Jony independently developed 'ModuLens'. This modular AR headset stood out as the winner of the OPPO × RCA 2022 competition and was showcased at the prestigious London Design Festival.

His educational journey includes a Bachelor of Engineering in Industrial Design from the Beijing University of Technology. Jony is excited by the potential of design as a catalyst for change, be it through promoting sustainability, enhancing user experience, or challenging future perceptions. As he steps forward into his professional career beyond RCA, Jony remains committed to designing with intention, responsibility, and foresight, aiming to make a positive impact on our world.

Statement

In a world confronted with the unprecedented dual challenges of technological advancement and environmental preservation, design, for me, has become an extraordinary tool of possibility, exploration, and meaningful change. Through my projects, I aspire to question the status quo, envision alternatives, and use design as a conduit for shaping our collective futures in harmony with our planet.

My design ethos is deeply rooted in responsible innovation and planet-centric solutions, evident in both the 'London 2095' and 'ModuLens' projects. These projects demonstrate my firm belief in using design to challenge conventional wisdom and encourage sustainable practices, each in their unique context - one situating us in a speculative climate-affected future and the other redefining our interaction with emerging technology.

With 'London 2095', I aimed to visualise the potential realities of a climate-altered future. Drawing from the fields of futurology and speculative design, I crafted an immersive narrative that underscores the urgency of climate action today.

On the other hand, 'ModuLens', a modular and upgradable AR ecosystem, proposes a forward-thinking solution to a pressing problem of our digital age. Faced with the challenge of e-waste generated by rapidly obsolete technology, I sought to devise a sustainable alternative that addresses both the functional and environmental aspects. 

Through both projects, my goal is to demonstrate the potential of design as a powerful force for change. Whether by generating awareness about the realities of climate change or by devising tangible solutions to e-waste, I hope to incite introspection, conversation, and action.

It is my conviction that as designers, we bear a profound responsibility to utilise our skills and vision in ways that contribute positively to the world around us. Through 'London 2095' and 'ModuLens', I hope to do just that - sparking a discourse about our collective future, and presenting sustainable, responsible alternatives for the present.

Design Futures: London 2095

World View: London 2095

Design Products: ModuLens