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Product design - Digital application

A product designed for event attendees to networking at a conference/trade show

tangible UX research

UX/ Product Research

A product designed for couples in a long-distance relationship to connect with each other

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Product design - Hardware

An assistive tableware set designed for people in need to eat independently

Game Design - Virtual reality (VR)

Game Design - Virtual reality (VR)

An Educational VR app designed for K12 students to learn the basic concept of coding

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Product Design - Sprint project

Add an AR feature to an Ecommerce site

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Home: Bio
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Hello!
design impactful products & services that improve everyday life.

Product & UX Designer with 10+ years of experience spanning physical products, digital services, and immersive technologies. Skilled at bridging user research and business goals into scalable design strategies, from 0–1 product innovation to 1–100 service optimization. Recognized by TIME and SFMOMA for design innovation, and experienced in driving impact within global organizations as well as entrepreneurial ventures.

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Home: CV

Yenchih Yao   

UX / PRODUCT DESIGNER  

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EXPERIENCE

UX/ Service Designer / EXOS @ Google

MAY 2021 – DEC 2024 (SUNNYVALE, CA)
 

- Led end-to-end UX design for internal services, conducting user research with diverse stakeholders and translating insights into ecosystem maps, service blueprints, and user journeys that informed scalable, future-ready solutions.
- Designed and prototyped accessible, engaging experiences through wireframes, interactive prototypes, and usability testing, streamlining workflows and enhancing employee performance and well-being.
- Partnered with cross-functional teams to align design strategy with business goals, shaping long-term service vision and driving measurable improvements in service efficiency and user satisfaction.


CEO & Product Designer / Eatwell
JUL 2013 – AUG 2024 (SUNNYVALE, CA)

 

- Founded and led the award-winning assistive tableware brand designed to help individuals with cognitive and physical challenges eat independently; recognized by TIME Magazine as one of the “Best Inventions of the Year.”
- Owned the full product lifecycle: user research, concept development, competitive analysis, 3D CAD modeling, prototyping, usability testing, manufacturing, and final market launch.
- Managed global supply chain operations, coordinating 3+ manufacturers, 2 packaging suppliers, multiple warehouses, and fulfillment vendors across domestic and international markets.
- Drove market adoption via a $100K+ crowdfunding campaign, securing product safety certifications, patents, and establishing sales channels in 6 countries.


UX Researcher & Designer / Tangible
JUL – AUG 2020 (STANFORD, CA)

 

- Converged & defined the MVP for the first product launched

- Conducted user research and interviews to synthesize user insight, discovered user needs, and ideated potential solutions to optimizing the experience of LDR couples
 

UX Designer / Netlink
NOV 2019 – JAN 2020 (SUNNYVALE, CA)

 

- Conducted qualitative user research: conducted 15+ interviews, surveys, analyzed and synthesized findings
- Created user flows, wireframes, user interfaces, mockups, and click-through prototypes to effectively communicate interaction and design ideas

 

Lecturer / Stanford University
MAR 2015 – MAR 2020  (STANFORD, CA)

-Guest lectured Perspectives in Assistive Technology class

 

UX Designer / ScienceVR
MAR 2018 – JUN 2019  (PALO ALTO, CA)

- Designed immersive educational laboratory experiences with product teams including developers, researchers, and artists to translate abstract concepts into easy to comprehend visuals
- Moderated user studies to identify critical factors impacting product value and user experience

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Fellow / Oculus Launchpad 18
MAY 2018 – NOV 2018 (PALO ALTO, CA)

- Selected to participate as a member of the class of Oculus Launchpad. This VR fellowship program is a springboard for diversity in creativity and the development of innovative VR experiences and content

HONORS & AWARDS

 

“Designed in California” Exhibition

SFMOMA, 2018

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A’Design Award & Competition

Gold award, 2017

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Golden Pin Design Award

Design Mark, 2017

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25 Best Inventions of the year

Time Magazine, 2016

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40 Most Exciting Innovations

of the Year

TechInsider, 2015

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Fast Company Innovation By Design Award

Finalist, 2015

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Stanford Center on Longevity Design Challenge

1st Place, 2014

 

 

EDUCATION

Stanford Engineering Center for Global & Online Education 
Online
UI/UX Designs in AI Products
 

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, USA

M.F.A, Industrial/ Product Design

    

 

SKILLS

 

UI & UX Design

Product Design

Service Design

User Research

User Flows & Wireframing

Prototyping

Usability Testing

Generative Engineering

Prototype AI Designs

Generative Agents

Figma/Adobe Creative Suite

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"The best way to predict the future is to create it"

Abraham Lincoln

Get in Touch

Looking forward to hearing from you.

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©2022 by Sha Yao

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