Few things shout that we are living in a more progressive and welcoming time than Presto, an app created to aid makeup users. This description is deceptive in its simplicity. More specifically, Presto caters to a diverse and expansive user base, extending beyond traditional female consumers to include men, non-binary individuals, and people of various backgrounds with unique personal goals. The brainchild of Ting Chen, her UX Design of Presto is game changing and garnered both an Indigo Design Award and London Design Award. Users and potential users of Presto are incredibly underserved by advertising and other apps due to their unique needs. Upon realizing this, Ting understood that her skills were perfectly suited to create a tool which could fill a void in apps and make a positive change. This positivity contrasts the typical negativity about apps so prevalent in society today, despite the many which contribute to the benefit of the overall population. 

UX design such as this is quite complex, demanding both creativity and tech knowledge. It’s not simply that an app must work but perhaps even more importantly, that it feels natural to use. While the look of Presto is engaging and inviting, it’s highly intuitive feel is what imbues it with a sense of familiarity and connection among users. All of this means nothing if the tech backbone of its features don’t work well. Ting has developed a robust platform for Presto which can handle video tutorials, user interactions, and personalized recommendations. The result is that this app possesses a flow and comfortable ease almost unheard of among those which break into new territories. 

The partnership of AI with humans is well represented in Presto. While Ting abandoned the sole use of AI avatars in her original design in preference of using influencers for a more personal touch, her design does Leverage AI to curate personalized makeup recommendations based on user preferences, skin tones, and facial attributes. There’s a very high tech approach to Presto that yet manages to establish a closer connection. Facial Recognition Technology is used to analyze individual facial features accurately, providing personalized makeup suggestions. Personalized tutorials from influencers are tailored to users’ specific needs, whether they are looking for everyday makeup, theatrical looks, or gender-affirming makeup techniques. 

Presto takes the additional step to foster support in the community through social media integration which enables users to share their looks and tutorials to showcase their creativity. Feedback Loops on the tutorials and features ensures continuous improvement based on user input. Makeup is a form of self-expression and as such prospers in a social environment. Presto is a huge step forward in the normalization and individual expressiveness of makeup in the community. 

Ting Chen is passionate about UX Design and how her career can make a benevolent difference in the lives of others and this is starkly evident in her work creating Presto. She informs, “I recall working on this project during the Christmas season of 2023. While others were enjoying time with loved ones, I found myself in my small NYC studio, fully immersed in the work. Uncertain of where it would lead, I shared the concept with a design friend only to receive feedback that it wasn’t well-received. In that moment, doubt crept in, tempting me to abandon the project. However, I chose to persevere. When I later received two awards for Presto, I reflected on the journey and felt grateful for not giving up, for pressing forward despite setbacks. It became the most meaningful Christmas gift of 2023 for me. That feeling has resurfaced when I repeatedly receive positive feedback from users of Presto who feel more confident and supported in their makeup journey. Witnessing the app help individuals express themselves creatively and boost their self-esteem made all of the effort worthwhile. Additionally, the enthusiastic responses and engagement from the LGBTQ community have reinforced the value and necessity of this work.” 

Presto was created and designed by Ting Chen. It has received numerous accolades and awards including: 2024 Indigo Design Awards: Gold Award–Winner in Mobile App, Silver Award–Winner in Innovative Use of Mobile Technology, Silver Award–Winner in Mobile Interaction & Experience, Silver Award–Winner in Interaction Design for Social Change, Silver Award–Winner in Apps for Social Change, and Silver Award–Winner in Apps. 2024 London Design Awards: Silver Award–Winner in User Interface Design (UI) – Beauty & Cosmetics, Silver Award–Winner in User Interface Design (UI) – Diversity & Inclusion