Resume

Yu Kao | PhD | FHEA

Interaction Design

Visual Communication

Designer | Researcher

contact@yukaodesign.com

Designer | Researcher

I am an interactive and visual designer and researcher. I am passionate about generating creative design outcomes through the lens of empathy and care.

Area of expertise

Design Research

Interaction Design

Design Methods

Visual Communication

Doctor of Philosophy (2021)

Education

Interaction Design | Queensland University of Technology

Thesis title: Place-oriented design: A framework for designing interactive installations for public places

  • Design tangible and screen based interactive experiences in public spaces by engaging with user experience research and co-design approach
  • Evaluate design process and outcome using interviews and observations.
  • Deliver design tools and methods for interactive and visual design practices.

Bachelor of Creative Industries (Honours) (2016)

Interactive and Visual Design | Queensland University of Technology

Thesis title: StoryCarousel – Exploring the potential for tangible media to support the collecting and sharing of stories

  • Develop creative workshops to facilitate storytelling experiences with ageing community.
  • Evaluate alternative methods to engage and understand the needs of aging communities.

Experience

Postdoctoral Research Fellow (2021 – Current)

Digital media, location awareness, and the politics of geodata (ARC Discovery project) | QUT Design Lab

  • Lead the design development of a digital probe for investigating data sharing experiences within the everyday.
  • Lead both tangible and screen-based interface design include – functional definition, hardware (physical computing) and software development (front-end web design), prototyping, user experience testing, visual atheistic and graphic design.
  • Coordinate all aspects of design development including manage project timeline, resources, design evaluations and technical solutions.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary project team members including digital geographer, software developer and communication researchers.

Academic Advisor (2020)

School of Design | Queensland University of Technology

  • Provide all aspects of academic supports for students majoring in visual communication and interaction design.

Research Assistant (2015 – 2020)

School of Design | Queensland University of Technology

  • Develop design research strategy to investigate project specific design scenarios.
  • Deliver design solutions include – promotional graphic design materials, tangible and screen-based interfaces design, design documentation and co-design workshop materials.
  • Execute research plans that accommodate the needs of the research stakeholders and partners.
  • Projects include – RBWH hand hygiene project, InstaBooth project, Kelvin Grove community and stakeholder engagement and Digital media, location awareness, and the politics of geodata.

Sessional Academic (2016 – 2021)

School of Design | Queensland University of Technology

  • Deliver interaction and visual design education in tertiary education, include graphical and tangible interface design methods, design process, front end technical executions, visual communication, and design demonstration.  
  • ID6 – Industrial Design studio 6 (Design for Health)
  • DXB403 – Design for Interactive Media
  • DXB212 – Tangible Media
  • DXH803 – Professional Practice for Designers
  • DYB301 – Impact Lab: Purpose

Public Program Faciliator (2015 – 2017)

The Cube | QUT Precincts

  • Deliver STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) transdisciplinary programs to primary and secondary aged students.