Community Highlights: Meet Zhongqi Fu of TA Design Studio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zhongqi Fu

Hi Zhongqi, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in China, where success is often seen through grades in school and income at work. There was a clear path laid out for me from a young age: study hard, get into a good university, and land a stable job. And that’s exactly what I did. I followed the rules, got good grades, and earned my bachelor’s in architecture from a respected university. Then I went to Columbia University for my master’s, which was a dream come true. Shortly after, I was the first in my class to land a designer role at a prestigious architecture firm in NYC. It felt like everything was falling into place perfectly.

But then 2020 happened. The pandemic hit, and my first job was suddenly gone. It was a huge shock. For the first time, I felt like the path I’d followed all my life—what I’d been so proud of—wasn’t going to help me continue my career in the way I had expected. In the months that followed, I had time to really reflect, and I began to see things differently.

I realized that for the first 25 years of my life, I’d been taught how to be a good student and a good employee. I was conditioned to think that working hard at a “good” job was the only way to succeed, and that security came from sticking with the right company. But no one had ever told me that I could rely on myself and choose my own direction, instead of following a path others expected of me. For the first time, I began to imagine a career that wasn’t just about fitting into a traditional role, but creating one that reflected my true passions.

Looking back, I realized I was more drawn to digital art, software, and user experience design than to the physical spaces I had been designing. So, I made the decision to pivot. Instead of becoming the architect my family expected me to be, I decided to venture into digital design. I co-founded TA Design Studio with a like-minded partner, diving into UX/UI design and working with clients across various industries. That shift quickly paid off, and two of our projects, Yo-Yo and Unibike, received international awards. Yo-Yo, our AI-driven healthcare device, won a Red Dot Award in 2024, while Unibike, our electric bike system with a detachable battery, was recognized with a Core 77 Notable award. It was an incredible feeling to see our work being celebrated on such a big stage.

Today, I’m the Product Design Lead and Product Manager at Electric Hydrogen, a sustainable energy unicorn. My team and I have launched several high-impact projects, supporting a $380 million Series C investment and securing sponsorship from the Department of Energy. Working in the sustainable energy field has given me the chance to apply my skills to projects with the potential for real impact.

As I look ahead, I’m excited about the idea of starting another venture, drawing from everything I’ve learned so far. I’m eager to keep pushing my own boundaries, exploring new industries, and building projects that can make a difference. This time, the wheel is in my hands, and I can’t wait to see where the journey takes me next.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road—if anything, it’s been a series of unexpected turns, steep climbs, and moments where I questioned everything. Growing up in China, I was raised to think that hard work and good grades were the ticket to success. There was this idea that if you followed the path, things would work out. And for a while, it seemed like they did. I got into good schools, went on to Columbia University, and landed a great first job in New York City. But when the pandemic hit, that job disappeared overnight, and with it, my sense of stability. It was the first time I felt like the rules I’d been taught weren’t enough to guide me forward.

One of the biggest struggles was realizing that my entire identity had been shaped by others’ expectations—what my family wanted, what society valued, and what I thought I was “supposed” to do. When everything fell apart, I had to re-evaluate what I wanted, which wasn’t easy. I went through a lot of self-doubt, wondering if I was really capable of creating my own path. I didn’t have a roadmap for that.

Deciding to pivot into UX/UI design was another challenge. Architecture and digital product design may seem related, but they’re different worlds. I had to learn new tools, get comfortable with different design processes, and prove myself in an industry where I was essentially starting from scratch. In the beginning, I wasn’t even sure if I’d made the right choice—there were long days and late nights trying to make ends meet as I built my freelance client base and started TA Design Studio. Every step felt like a risk, and there were plenty of moments when I questioned if I should have just stuck to the “safe” route.

Even after finding success with TA Design Studio, I faced challenges. As a co-founder, I had to balance creative freedom with the realities of running a business, managing client expectations, and handling the day-to-day grind of entrepreneurship. At Electric Hydrogen, I had to adapt once again, stepping into a leadership role in a highly technical field. This time, I was not only creating, but also managing teams and navigating the demands of a fast-growing, high-stakes industry. Supporting large investments and DOE sponsorships brought an added level of responsibility, and there was always pressure to prove that my designs could drive tangible results.

Looking back, each struggle has pushed me to grow and adapt in ways I never expected. Those challenges taught me resilience, adaptability, and most importantly, to trust myself. It hasn’t been easy, but each setback has ultimately paved the way for something greater. Today, I’m more confident in my ability to create my own path and excited about the future, knowing that I’ve overcome the hardest parts by choosing to follow my passions.

As you know, we’re big fans of TA Design Studio. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
TA Design Studio is a UX/UI design firm I co-founded with a simple yet powerful vision: to create digital experiences that don’t just meet user needs but inspire them. We work across a diverse range of industries—from healthcare to transportation to emerging tech—helping clients turn their ideas into impactful products. Over the years, we’ve developed a reputation for our ability to dive deeply into each client’s vision, understanding both their challenges and opportunities, and translating those into thoughtful, user-centered design solutions.

What sets us apart is our dedication to both innovation and empathy. At TA Design Studio, we believe great design begins with understanding people, not just products. We bring a human-centered approach to each project, and we’re known for our meticulous attention to detail, our adaptability to new industries, and our commitment to making a positive impact. Our process involves a lot of listening and collaboration with clients, which allows us to go beyond just creating beautiful interfaces; we build solutions that solve real problems.

Brand-wise, we’re incredibly proud of two award-winning products that reflect our core values: YoYo and Unibike. YoYo, an AI-powered mental health device, won the Red Dot Award in 2024, and it’s a project close to my heart because of its potential to make mental health support more accessible. Unibike, our public electric bike system with a detachable, multi-functional battery, earned recognition with the Core 77 Notable award. Unibike is our answer to sustainable, accessible urban mobility, allowing users to charge their batteries at home and carry them along, rather than relying on charging stations.

Beyond these products, we want readers to know that TA Design Studio is not just about delivering a service—it’s about building relationships and creating a long-lasting impact. Whether we’re working with startups or established organizations, we take pride in crafting solutions that not only achieve our clients’ goals but resonate with their users. At the end of the day, our brand is about empowering people and enhancing lives through design, and we’re excited to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the digital space.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is creating meaningful impact through my work—whether it’s designing products that enhance daily life, advancing sustainable solutions, or empowering others through thoughtful design. I believe that design has a unique power to solve real problems, to connect people, and to drive positive change. This belief has guided my career, from traditional architecture to digital product design, and eventually to co-founding TA Design Studio and working in the sustainable energy field.

At TA Design Studio, I’ve seen firsthand how a well-designed experience can transform how people interact with technology, improve accessibility, and make complex processes feel intuitive. Each project is an opportunity to build something that has lasting value, and knowing that our designs can genuinely help people—that’s what keeps me motivated. It’s not just about creating visually appealing interfaces; it’s about crafting solutions that truly serve users and make their lives a little easier, a little better.

Working at Electric Hydrogen in sustainable energy has reinforced my commitment to this idea. I see the potential for design to contribute to cleaner energy solutions and a healthier planet. In this field, every decision we make can have a ripple effect, impacting communities, industries, and even future generations. That responsibility drives me to keep pushing forward, to keep learning, and to keep designing with purpose.

Ultimately, what matters most to me is leaving a positive mark on the world. I want to look back and know that my work made a difference, that it helped people in meaningful ways, and that I stayed true to my values every step of the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://zf-ux.webflow.io/