Jennifer Zeng is a product designer and multimedia artist working at the intersection of technology, art, and human experience. She specializes in crafting intuitive user experiences across AI-powered SaaS products and immersive AR/VR environments. Her work bridges creativity and logic, transforming complex workflows into meaningful interactions that drive impact. Jennifer’s projects have been featured at IEEE ISMAR, ACM Multimedia, and the Penn Museum, earning recognition from Red Dot and A’ Design Awards.
How many years have you been a judge?
1-3 years
What excited you about judging for the Telly Awards?
I’m thrilled to join the Telly Awards because it celebrates innovation at the intersection of storytelling, design, and technology, areas I deeply care about. Judging gives me the opportunity to recognize creators who use visual media and immersive formats to connect with audiences in new ways. It’s also inspiring to see how emerging tools like AI and mixed reality are reshaping the boundaries of visual storytelling.
What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?
My first role was designing UX workflows for Orby AI, a fintech automation platform. It taught me how design can simplify complexity, turning data-heavy systems into intuitive tools people enjoy using. That experience reinforced the importance of aligning creativity with business and technical realities, a mindset that continues to shape my design philosophy today.
What project are you most proud to have worked on?
I’m most proud of Float Mind, an AI-driven mixed reality experience that explores emotional engagement and mindfulness through immersive design. It was showcased at IEEE ISMAR 2025 and combines affective computing with spatial storytelling to create a meditative environment that responds to users’ emotions in real time. This project reflects my passion for merging technology and empathy, using design not just to inform or entertain, but to foster inner reflection and well-being.
What’s the most challenging part about your job and/or the industry?
The most challenging aspect is balancing technological innovation with human empathy. As tools like AI and extended reality evolve rapidly, it’s easy to focus on novelty rather than purpose. My challenge and joy is ensuring that each experience remains grounded in user insight, ethical responsibility, and emotional authenticity.
What do you look for to determine excellence in video?
I look for work that blends strong conceptual clarity with emotional resonance, where every visual, sound, and transition serves a narrative purpose. Technical polish is important, but what truly stands out is when form and function align to move the viewer or provoke reflection. I also value originality and thoughtful use of new media like AR/VR or interactive layers to enhance storytelling impact.
What are your current roles and responsibilities and what do you love most about your job?
As a product designer, I translate complex AI and SaaS systems into clear, intuitive interfaces across web and immersive platforms. I lead end-to-end design: from user research to prototyping and design systems, while collaborating closely with engineers and creative teams. What I love most is turning abstract ideas into tangible experiences that make technology feel human, meaningful, and emotionally engaging.
What initiatives or projects are you working on now that excite you?
I’m currently designing immersive experiences that combine AI and mixed reality to promote emotional well-being and creative exploration. One project, Float Mind, explores how affective computing and spatial design can foster mindfulness.
Do you have any specific practices you lean on to spark creativity?
I often draw inspiration from cross-disciplinary exploration: architecture, film, and literature all inform my creative process. I sketch by hand to unlock intuition, then use rapid prototyping to translate ideas into motion and interaction. Taking time to step away from screens and observe real human behaviors also helps me reconnect with the emotional side of design.
What inspired you to pursue your career path?
I started in architecture, where I learned how design shapes how people move through and feel in spaces. Over time, I became fascinated by digital space, the invisible architectures of interaction and emotion. That curiosity led me to product and immersive design, where I could merge art, technology, and storytelling to craft experiences that impact lives at scale.
In your experience, what is a significant change you are seeing happen in the video, television, and/or film industry, and what insight can you share about how to navigate it?
One major shift is the convergence of interactive media, AI, and traditional storytelling. Audiences are no longer passive, they expect participation, personalization, and immersion. To navigate this change, creators should embrace cross-disciplinary collaboration and experiment with emerging technologies, while keeping the human story at the heart of every innovation.
