Meet Yuehui Du

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yuehui Du and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yuehui, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
My journey into the creative career has been one of constant self-discovery. It started with my education in Architecture, where I realized how design could shape the world we live in. That foundation sparked my curiosity and open-mindedness toward emerging technologies, leading me to explore how they could be integrated into design.

In my studies at Columbia University, I expanded into digital spaces: Internet of Things (IoT), geographic analysis, spatial experiences. It was then that I joined Rokid and got the opportunity to design user experiences for AR glasses. That experience transformed my understanding of user-centric design. It was no longer only about the technology in and of itself, but how it genuinely could serve the users. And this realization stirred within an ability to empathize with the users through emerging technologies.

Eager to further refine my UX and interaction design skills, I moved to Pittsburgh to continue learning at Carnegie Mellon University, while contributing to next-generation XR platform experiences at Samsung Research America.The exposure to state-of-the-art areas such as AI, AR/VR, and spatial computing made me believe even more strongly in the power of design to bridge the gap between technology and human needs.

For me, being a designer isn’t just a profession; it is an empowerment to people by changing complex technologies into simple and intuitive experiences. That’s the true value I’ve found in my creative career.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
One of the projects I’m most proud of is creating Gaia, an immersive Mixed Reality experience for the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. This project enhances active learning by blending digital storytelling with the physical exhibition. Visitors wearing HoloLens headsets can explore the Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems, guided by highlighted narratives, while a personalized feature allows them to collect and customize their favorite gems. What sets Gaia apart is its ability to subtly enhance the quiet elegance of the Gem Hall, as praised during user testing, while fostering creativity and interaction. It’s a testament to how MR can seamlessly integrate storytelling into museum experiences.

Professionally, Gaia marks a significant milestone in my design journey. It allowed me to refine my XR design skills independently, transitioning from business-driven, product-focused roles at Rokid to leading user-centered projects directly for an organization. This experience, combined with my subsequent work on next-generation XR platforms at Samsung, has expanded my vision of how designers can create meaningful impact across diverse contexts.

The journey to create Gaia wasn’t easy. Our team lacked a dedicated developer, so I took the initiative to learn Unity and build the technical prototype myself. This experience reinforced the value of my T-shaped skillset, where deep expertise in UX design is complemented by technical adaptability. It also highlighted the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration, enabling us to prototype and iterate efficiently despite the challenges.

Through this process, I’ve learned that great design requires both vision and teamwork. Listening to users, aligning with stakeholders, and adapting to challenges are all essential. Gaia taught me the power of blending physical and digital spaces to create meaningful connections and solve complex user problems. My goal as a designer is to bridge emerging technologies with the human experience, proving that design is not only about creating beautiful and functional solutions but also about driving innovation and improving lives.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The winter holiday season is when Pittsburgh really shines, especially when the whole place is covered in snow. First, I’d take my friends to Seven Springs, the best ski resort nearby, for exciting days on the slopes. On the way, we would make a stop at Fallingwater—a must-see for anyone who appreciates architecture design and history. To round out the adventure, I’d suggest a light hike at Laurel Hill State Park, where we could enjoy stunning views and the peaceful beauty of the waterside.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to two incredible women who have played a big role in my growth as a designer.

First, I want to thank Chinwei (Alice) Liu, my manager at Rokid, who gave me an opportunity to step into the UX design and XR industry in 2021 as a fresh graduate with a background solely in architecture. She shared professional insights and mentorship that helped me realize my hidden talent and added value in UX design. While working on projects under her guidance, I have developed an understanding of how the bridge between emerging technologies will connect to create value that truly matters to users. Working under her guidance, I came across my passion for the field of XR and started building up my foundation as a UX designer.

The second person is Kellie Sun, my design mentor since 2023. She has been instrumental in helping me expand my design career further than I initially set sights on in the XR field. Under her guidance, I actively transitioned into a product design role that emphasizes strategy and aligns with business goals. Kellie showed me how designers can lead a greater impact on society by solving complex problems in an intelligent and creative way. She helped me see the bigger possibility of design in being able to contribute meaningfully to both users and organizations.

These two women inspire me with their empathy and leadership; they’ve managed to build a community that allows designers to create a positive impact on the world. I am so grateful for the support and mentorship each of these women has given me because they’ve helped mold my career but, most importantly, reminded me of how lifting others up is a critical part of it all.

Website: https://www.yuehuidu.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuehuidu/