SIYUAN TU

ux researcher, designer, & strategist










PRACTICE & PEDAGOGY



AS AN ENGINEER-TURNED-DESIGNER, I'M PERPETUALLY LEARNING ACROSS DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES TO SHAPE THE WAY I UNDERSTAND PROBLEMS AND FORMULATE IDEAS.

Case Study: Draper

For the capstone project at Carnegie Mellon, I capitalized on both my academic and work experience to create a framework and a prototype for co-adaptive interactions. Read more.  

DATA & DESIGN



DESIGNERS WANT BEAUTIFUL VISUALIZATIONS; ANALYSTS WANT STRAIGHTFORWARD DATA. I SEE THE NEED FOR BOTH.


Case Study: MicroStrategy

As a mobile advisor for an enterprise analytics software company, I’ve talked to clients across diverse industries with disparate needs. I designed analytics apps for different industries, devices, and varying contexts of use. I solve a pervasive problem: how do we make meaning out of data? Read more.  

PRESENT & FUTURE



DESIGNING FOR EXISTING TECHNOLOGY IS CONSTRAINED BY POWER AND SPEED. DESIGNING FOR A FUTURE OF WICKED PROBLEMS NEEDS A SYSTEMATIC WAY FORWARD. BY IMAGINING A DESIRED FUTURE, I CAN IMPART A THOUGHTFUL VISION AND CARVE OUT A ROLE IN CREATING THIS FUTURE.


Case Study: Wisp

In a world of personal information overload, an ephemeral IoT-based interaction can be touching, elegant, and impactful. I designed Wisp, an in-car experience to create momentary connections between travelers on road trips. Read more.  

DIGITAL & TANGIBLE



DIGITAL DESIGN IS PIXEL-PERFECT & ELEGANT. BUT TANGIBLE DESIGN LEAVES ROOM FOR MISTAKES: CREASES IN THE PAPER, UNEVEN CUTS, MISFORMED PRINTS. I LIKE TO MAKE THINGS THAT SPAN BOTH.


Case Study: Chromatic Boxes

We often leave the multi-facted qualities of objects go unexplored. To take advantage of other senses, I created a simple musical device to make music-learning easier for the visually-impaired. Read more.  






WORK & PLAY

I've just completed a Masters in human-computer interaction by way of operations research engineering, with a foray into software consulting/UX design.

I believe that everything created by humans is designed (sometimes unintentionally), and they can almost always be designed better.

I've learned that at its core, human-computer interaction should facilitate human-human interaction. Technology should ground us in the people and the environment around us.

I want to use my experience to create change responsibly.

LinkedIn
I document my work and life with photography—not without the awareness that it takes me outside of the moment I want to be in. I often think about the digital externalization of memory, the ephemerality of life without it, and the role it plays in living with intention.

When I'm not working in front of a screen, I'm probably climbing (and failing at it).

I believe in traveling far and often...particularly towards mountains and oceans. Experiences outside of our own never fail to grow our perspectives.