Growing up in an artist family in Beijing, Ye Tian was surrounded by creativity and care in equal measure. Her grandfather, a painter, first taught her to sketch, instilling in her not only an appreciation for art but a way of seeing the world. “He taught me to notice beauty in the smallest details,” Tian recalls. “That sensitivity still shapes how I approach design—seeing what others might overlook and transforming it into something meaningful.” Those early lessons in observation and patience, combined with an appreciation for color, form, and subtlety, became the foundation of her design philosophy, influencing the way she approaches problem-solving in both aesthetic and functional contexts.
While her grandfather nurtured her artistic eye, her mother—a doctor—showed her the human side of healthcare. “In many traditional Chinese families, children are expected to follow their parents’ profession,” Tian says. “But my mom encouraged me to find my own path.” Growing up in hospitals and clinics, she observed firsthand the complexity, inefficiency, and sometimes intimidating nature of healthcare systems. Witnessing the challenges patients face—from navigating insurance to understanding treatment plans—left a lasting impression. “I saw how frustrating and opaque healthcare could be,” she reflects. “That planted a seed in me: I wanted to use design to make it more human, transparent, and empowering.” This dual influence of art and empathy eventually became the guiding force in her career, driving her to create designs that are both functional and emotionally resonant.
After earning her Master’s degree in Information Experience Design from Pratt Institute in New York, Tian joined Rightway Healthcare, where she focused on simplifying how patients access medications and manage benefits. “Designing for healthcare gave me a strong sense of purpose,” she notes. “It showed me how clarity and empathy can change real lives.” During this time, she learned to translate complex medical information into intuitive interfaces, ensuring patients felt confident and informed. The experience highlighted how subtle design choices—like color coding, step-by-step guidance, and visual progress indicators—can reduce anxiety and foster trust between users and the system.
That mission led Tian to create her award-winning project, SipControl, a digital app concept that helps people develop healthier relationships with alcohol. Unlike many mental health and habit-tracking apps, SipControl takes a personalized, day-by-day approach, blending behavioral science with emotional design to make change feel supportive rather than clinical. Each morning begins with targeted breathing and grounding exercises, designed to ease cravings and help users start the day with intention. Visual progress and mood tracking reveal patterns over time, allowing the app to offer gentle, timely guidance when it matters most. Users can set goals and earn real rewards, redeeming credits for small treats as positive reinforcement. Behind the scenes, AI-driven personalization tailors tips and smart triggers to each individual’s habits and progress, ensuring encouragement always feels relevant and compassionate.
“SipControl is designed to feel like a caring companion,” Tian explains. “It’s about meeting people where they are, and helping them move forward at their own pace. Change doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.” By focusing on empathy-driven design, the app transforms a potentially isolating experience into one of connection, support, and self-awareness. It empowers users to understand their behaviors, celebrate small victories, and approach long-term change with confidence rather than guilt.
The project’s thoughtful approach has garnered widespread recognition, receiving honors from the German Design Awards, W3 Awards, Davey Awards, 4 Future Awards, and the Better Future New York Design Awards. SipControl has also been exhibited in prominent international venues, including The Holy Art, Arrival Gallery, and Jane’s Studio.
For Tian, the success of SipControl represents more than design excellence—it’s a vision for how technology can foster empathy. “Healthcare design isn’t just about solving problems,” she says. “It’s about understanding people’s emotions and creating tools that help them feel capable of change. SipControl is my way of showing that digital care can still feel deeply human.”