✦ ABOUT ME
Hi! I'm Sophia.
I'm a product designer with a background in computer science and a Master's in UX Research & Design from the University of Michigan. I care about building intuitive, inclusive digital experiences — work that brings together interaction design, accessibility, and a focus on clarity that makes technology feel effortless.
Outside of design, I love theater and musicals — reading scripts, dissecting character motivations, and watching how a story lands. I've run light and sound boards for productions, and that energy of a whole team pulling toward the same moment isn't so different from great design work. The same curiosity I bring to understanding a character shows up in how I approach user research.
✦ BEYOND THE SCREEN
A little more about me
Light board operator — Thus Spoke Ann Arbor Chinese Drama Club
✦ TOOLKIT
Skills & Tools
Design & Prototyping
- Figma
- Wireframing
- Prototyping
- Visual Design
- Creative Storytelling (Procreate, DaVinci Resolve)
UX Research
- User Interviews
- Usability Testing
- Journey Mapping
- Affinity Mapping
- Heuristic Evaluation
Technical Skills
- HTML / CSS / JS
- React (basic)
- AR/VR (Unity/Unreal Engine)
- Python / Java / SQL
- AI-assisted Coding (Vibe Coding, Copilot)
✦ JOURNEY
My Path in Design & Tech
University of Michigan
Master of Science in Information, UX Research & Design
Studied interaction design, information architecture, usability evaluation, and accessibility — with coursework in automotive UX, AR/VR, and generative AI. Built a foundation in designing for real people across complex systems.
Pittsburgh Chinese Church Oakland
Visual Designer · Pittsburgh, PA
Designed posters, announcements, and social media materials for 200+ event attendees across digital and print formats. Created visual assets for worship, youth programs, community events, and special campaigns.
University of Pittsburgh
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Built a foundation in CS through coursework in algorithms, graphics, systems, and web development. Studied abroad at Konan University in Kobe, Japan, and took a drawing studio class that sparked an early interest in visual design.
Cybozu IT Shanghai Inc.
System Consulting Department Intern · Shanghai, China
Tested plugins for the low-code platform Kintone and translated documentation between Chinese and English. Achieved a tenfold increase in visitors to the Kintone Developer Program webpage.
✦ WRITING & THOUGHTS
Exploring Design & AI
Beyond hands-on design work, I enjoy writing about the intersection of AI and UX, exploring how emerging technologies can enhance — not replace — human-centered design.
5 AI Principles for Effective UX Design
Exploring how AI can be thoughtfully integrated into design practice while maintaining human-centered values.
When AI Joined My Design Process
A personal reflection on integrating AI tools into my design workflow and what I learned along the way.