Meet Zhijun Song | Design Technologist/UX Engineer

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

Hi Zhijun, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
When people hear about my role as a design technologist—a designer who codes—they might imagine I’m constantly creating innovative, cutting-edge work. But only you understand the real challenge: navigating a complex team dynamic with undefined responsibilities and blurred boundaries. As the bridge between tech and design, there’s an unspoken expectation that I can do it all, taking on every technical and creative need that arises. It’s both exhilarating and exhausting, the weight of being that link.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m currently working at a major tech company as a design technologist (UX engineer), helping designers and software developers collaborate more effectively by creating detailed work specs and prototypes for products. I was fortunate to step into this role right after graduation, but I know how much effort it took to get here—from being an art major to becoming a designer who codes. Starting this journey, I was full of hope, but little did I know that my real adventure as a corporate worker was only just beginning.

I’d like to share my path into this career and inspire others interested in this emerging field, encouraging more people to join our growing community of hybrid thinkers.

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?
I hope for a sunny day so I can start by taking them to my favorite neighborhood bakery. It has a cozy little outdoor patio—perfect for relaxing with a hot coffee and freshly warmed pastries. We can just sit there, catching up on life and sharing stories in the morning light.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Absolutely, I’d love to give a shoutout to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. It’s more than just a book to me; it’s a reminder to approach life with curiosity and humor, embracing the unknown with open-mindedness. Its playful perspective on life, the universe, and everything keeps me grounded and reminds me that every journey—especially in design and tech—should have space for wonder and laughter. It’s helped shape my mindset, and I find myself drawing on its insights whenever I face new challenges or need a fresh perspective.

Website: https://zhijunsong.com/ 

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

Image Credits
https://zhijunsong.com/sojourn
These images showcase a recent showroom display we created for a fashion brand. The concept draws inspiration from underground plant life, with AI-assisted visuals helping bring the idea to life. Using AI, I generated initial footage, which became the foundation for this final setup.