Today we’d like to introduce you to Effie Zhu.
Hi Effie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Having designer parents meant I was always around art and design. Their love for creating and taking me to art shows really got me into design from a young age.
In high school, I got really interested in why people do what they do, which led me to Interaction Design. The idea of using design to fix real problems and make people’s lives better was super appealing to me.
I studied Interaction Design at ArtCenter, where I really dug into the subject. There, I met Lucas, an awesome mentor and friend. She got me into the XR world, sparking my interest in designing with new tech. Lucas was always pushing me to try new things and challenge myself, and I’m really grateful for her encouragement. It’s because of her that I’m always learning and pushing my limits. My interest in the tech side of things took me to Caltech for a bit, where I got a deeper understanding of coding and development.
Getting to know the behind-the-scenes of tech made me even more excited about new tech like AI and XR. I started playing around with AI for my design projects, making sure my ideas weren’t just cool but also doable.
Now, I’m all about seeing what’s possible with new tech and pushing design limits. My path in Interaction Design has been a mix of being creative and getting technical, always moving forward with new tech developments.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Embarking on a career in the XR industry with minimal coding knowledge presented a significant challenge for me. In my initial XR project, I was unable to create an interactive demo due to my lack of experience with Unity for prototyping. This limitation forced me to spend considerable time exploring alternative tools, testing each one to find a suitable solution. This experience highlighted the need for a stronger foundation in computer science, leading me to an exchange program at Caltech.
At Caltech, I found myself surrounded by peers with far more programming experience, making the initial adjustment particularly tough. The weekly one-hour lab sessions, where we were required to complete a coding exercise, were daunting. Initially, it would take me the entire hour to barely finish, while others completed the tasks in under half that time. Juggling the demanding coursework from ArtCenter, I had to cut back on sleep and personal time to teach myself coding and thoroughly understand the homework.
I am incredibly grateful to Maddie, my TA at Caltech, who went above and beyond, patiently breaking down code for me, even beyond her office hours. With weeks of dedication to studying and practice, I gradually improved, eventually completing lab exercises in the same timeframe as my classmates. This was a time before resources like ChatGPT existed, so I had to methodically research online, understanding each line of code and debugging through trial and error.
After a semester of hard work, I gained a deep understanding of coding logic. This knowledge proved invaluable back at ArtCenter, where I applied my programming skills across numerous projects. Furthermore, I had the opportunity to give back by assisting my peers as a teaching assistant in computer science, sharing the valuable insights I had gained through my journey.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Describing what I do as an interaction designer is not straightforward; my role encompasses a diverse range of activities. At the core, I engage in traditional UI/UX design work, which involves conducting comprehensive user research, identifying and understanding pain points, and developing design solutions to address those issues. My projects often include designing for screens, such as apps and websites, where I create wireframes, user flows, and visually appealing user interfaces. However, my work extends beyond the screen; I also design and develop immersive experiences in XR, creating non-screen-based interactions that engage users in entirely new ways.
My particular area of expertise lies in leveraging new technologies for design. I have a profound interest in technical prototyping, especially with AI. By training models and experimenting with them, I explore the capabilities and boundaries of generative AI tools. For instance, I’ve used Runway ML to evaluate the potential for cashier-less stores and experimented with various text-based AI tools for website design enhancements.
What truly defines my approach as a designer is my insatiable curiosity about the inner workings of emerging technologies. I’m not content with merely using new tools; I strive to comprehend them deeply. This understanding allows me to recognize their limitations, ensuring that I never propose a design concept that is impractical to implement. My goal is always to envision ideas that are not only innovative but also feasible to bring to life, ensuring that my design concepts can be effectively realized.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Living in Pasadena has been a whole new adventure for me. It’s the first time I’ve been on my own, really feeling like an adult. What I love about this place is how you can find just about anything, especially food from back home in China. Places like Alhambra and San Gabriel have got all the good stuff. There’s this Changfen store I drove to sometimes at night – just grabbing some Changfen and soy milk feels like a little piece of home.
I love the vibes of LA. Pasadena’s Old Town has this cool, old-school feel that I just can’t get enough of. And the beaches is also my favorite. Santa Monica and Venice Beach are my go-to spots on the weekends. Cycling with my girlfriend or just chilling by the pier – that’s what LA’s all about for me. Sun, beach, and just good times.
But driving around, especially near downtown, can be a nightmare. Traffic jams are the norm, and it drives me nuts. Sitting in your car, not moving an inch, it’s like the complete opposite of the chill beach vibe. So, I love the place and the view, but not the traffic part.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://effiezhu.me/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/effie-zhu/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/effie_ryzhu
