By: Maggie He
Product designer Qihang Zhang has received recognition for his contributions to music analytics and digital platforms. At Chartmetric, a leading music analytics company, Zhang’s design work on two key products — the Talent Search tool for A&R professionals and the company’s mobile application — has earned Silver awards at the 2024 Muse Creative Awards, NY Product Design Awards and London Design Awards, competing against thousands of submissions from more than 100 countries. Both products have also advanced as finalists for the 2025 UX Design Awards IF Design Award, and Wild Design Awards — competitions where fewer than 2% of entries reach the finalist stage.
Currently working as a senior product designer at Chartmetric, Zhang focuses on creating analytics platforms that address accessibility issues within the digital music industry. While the global streaming revenue has seen significant growth in recent years and independent artists have made notable strides, a large portion of streams continues to be dominated by a few great artists. Zhang’s design work is centered around making industry insights more accessible, a goal that has garnered attention from prominent record labels.
“My focus as a designer has always been creating more opportunities for diverse voices in music,” Zhang says. “Technology should break down barriers, not create new ones.”
Zhang refined his understanding of entertainment analytics during his undergraduate years at UCLA’s School of Communication, where he combined studies in Communications and History with a minor in Digital Humanities. This interdisciplinary background proved invaluable as he gained experience through strategic positions at major media companies. His work at Ticketmaster, a Live Nation Entertainment company, involved analyzing user behavior patterns and optimizing digital marketing campaigns. At National Geographic, he developed content strategies that generated millions of impressions across multiple platforms. Through Allied Global Marketing, he gained insights into audience engagement that would later inform his innovative approach to user interface design.
His passion for music and technology began in Sichuan, China. In early 2012, just days before Whitney Houston’s death, her powerful performance on local television captivated Zhang and sparked a realization of music’s potential for social impact. Inspired by Houston, Mariah Carey, and other groundbreaking artists who transcended cultural boundaries, Zhang launched MODE Music Magazine, one of the first student-led music publications in Chengdu, China. The magazine became a platform for introducing Western music to local audiences while advocating for emerging artists.
“Whitney Houston’s artistry demonstrated how music transcends cultural and linguistic barriers,” Zhang says. “That experience shaped my belief that technology should serve the same purpose — creating opportunities for diverse voices to reach new audiences.”
After graduating from UCLA, Zhang worked with Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation on the “Be There Certificate” program, a mental health education initiative. His contributions involved designing digital interfaces to make mental health resources more straightforward for young people—a user-centered approach he carries into his work in music analytics.
Outside of his professional work, Zhang has explored music content creation, focusing on Western music. His entertainment channels have garnered significant attention, reflecting his understanding of audience engagement and content strategy. With a background in pop and R&B and experience in the digital space, he offers valuable perspectives on emerging artists’ challenges.
Recent trends suggest that many technology companies incorporate emotional design and human-centered principles into their product development. Zhang’s work reflects this focus, aiming to balance technical functionality with a deeper understanding of artists’ needs.
His contributions shape how the music industry approaches talent discovery and development, aligning technology with commercial goals and cultural values in music creation. As digital platforms continue transforming the music landscape, his emphasis on user-centered design highlights the importance of accessibility and equity for artists. Recognition in various design competitions underscores the value of prioritizing user experience in reshaping industry standards.
Published by Anne C.