Xiao Leyang
Master of Arts (Research)

 

Educational Background

  • Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) in User Experience Design, University of the Arts London

Research Brief

Leyang's research and practice are grounded in ethical user experience and human-centred design. Her work seeks to identify ethical frameworks and methods that enable designers to create digital communities that are both purposeful and responsible. Situated at the intersection of practice-led design and digital culture, she investigates how interface design choices shape identity, creative labour and well-being.

Her research highlights include the integration of behavioural theories, well-being research and ethical UX principles into an evaluative framework for ethical persuasion and loyalty-driven design tactics. Through the development and testing of mid-fidelity prototypes, Xiao proposes practical alternatives to metric-driven platforms. Her overarching goal is to advance design practices that foster authenticity, reflection and creative well-being through applied design outcomes.

Research Areas

  • Design Ethics
  • UX Design

Awards

  • First-Class Honours, University of the Arts London, 2024.
  • Excellence Scholar Award, Communication University of China, 2021.

Projects

  • Leyang, X. (2025). Crazy Collective™ [Web design]. UK.
  • Leyang, X. (2024). Portal to the Z [AI video]. ADM, Singapore.
  • Leyang, X. (2024). Minstle [Application design]. The Well Gallery, UK.
  • Leyang, X. (2023). Isle, the Isle [Video installation]. UK.
  • Leyang, X. (2023). Mermade Fashion [Application design]. UK.

Exhibitions

  • Degree Show, The Well Gallery, UK, 2025.
  • Boundless: Now Showing, Miart Gallery, UK, 2022.
  • Graduate Exhibition, Advertising Museum of Communication University of China, China, 2021.

Presentation

  • Leyang, X. (2025). Ethical UX beyond virality: A study of ethical persuasion in community-centric platforms for early-career artists. Paper presented at C-IDEA 2025.