Zilin Zhang

UI/UX Designer & Researcher

Coquitlam, BC · 236 999 0119
zza302@sfu.ca · Portfolio

Profile

I’m a skilled designer with experience leading visual design for client branding and an interactive website prototype. I combine design judgment, research and psychology to understand people’s needs and explain my decisions clearly. I take initiative, listen carefully and follow through, sharing what I learn and working with others to improve the design.

Skills

Design
visual identity, typography, visual hierarchy and brand guidelines; user flows, wireframes and high‑fidelity prototyping
Research
interviews, surveys, observation and playtesting; study planning and neutral questionnaire design
Analysis
logical reasoning, design critique and interpreting user feedback
Collaboration
clear communication, active listening and project planning

Education

Simon Fraser University

BSc. Interactive Arts and Technology · Minor in Psychology

Dean’s Honour Roll
Expected Graduation: Fall 2027

Projects

Uncrowned & ElemAnt — Two Games

May 2026 - Aug 2026
Game Design, SFU · Game Designer · Team course projects

  • Designed all minigames for Uncrowned, a narrative RPG in Godot, refining interactions, difficulty and rewards through playtesting.
  • Designed tutorials and a progression tracker to clarify controls and skill unlocks; follow-up playtests showed clearer player understanding.
  • Redesigned ElemAnt’s menus, combat, enemy behaviour and obstacles in Unity to improve the original prototype’s clarity and engagement.

Visual Identity & Audience Engagement
White Rock City Orchestra

Sept 2025 - Dec 2025
Interaction Design, SFU · Lead Visual Designer · Team client project

  • Led our team’s visual design for a local nonprofit orchestra, translating audience research and client priorities into a brand book, posters and presentations.
  • Established consistent typography, colour and layout across the materials; proposed clearer ticket information and pre‑concert emails to support the client’s attendance goals.

Suigenkyo — Website Redesign

Sept 2023 - Dec 2023
Information Design, SFU · Lead Visual Designer · Independent course redesign

  • Led visual design for a complete high‑fidelity interactive Figma prototype, developing user flows, wireframes and animation design for a Japanese artisan retailer.
  • Highlighted craftsmanship and makers’ stories to communicate the value behind premium prices; presented the visual direction and design rationale in a 30-page deck.

Interests

Cooking

Former line cook, a decade of cooking experience.

Formula 1 & Sim Racing

I love the speed and the shared effort behind a team’s victory.