Ann Li

Howdy, thanks for dropping by...
The name's Ann.
I'm a designer, music lover, and art enthusiast from Houston, TX 🤠

I'm an interaction designer operating through the lens of a translator and storyteller. I believe in research-rooted designs that foster connection and reflection, and externalization in service of clarity and alignment.

My approach reflects a unique tapestry of experiences, weaving backgrounds in neurobiology, psychology, the arts, and community engagement. I'm currently pursuing my Master's in Design for Interactions at Carnegie Mellon University. I hold a MA in Design from CMU and previously spent four years at Cornell University, where I (mostly) studied Neurobiology and Behavior, exploring the underlying mechanisms that shape observed phenomena.

My work spans a variety of disciplines, from designing experiential exhibits to crafting persuasive long-term visions and creative strategy. Recent projects explore the future of spatial experiences in the home and augment embodied learning through XR experiences. Research investigates seamful ways of enriching lived experiences, in the face of technological utopianism, excessive speed, and "user-friendliness".

Outside of work and class, you can find me—headphones in—organizing and attending concerts, scribbling in my sketchbook, admiring all creatures winged and feathered, and tweaking my bœuf bourguignon.

Accepting freelance work and commissions. All work is original unless otherwise credited.

Education

Carnegie Mellon University

MDes Design for Interactions | 2024 (expected)
MA Design | 2022

Cornell University

BA Biological Sciences, Neurobiology & Behavior | 2020
Minor Psychology

Publications and Speaking

Augmenting Embodied Learning in Welding Training: The Co-Design of an XR- and tinyML-Enabled Welding System for Creative Arts and Manufacturing Training

ACM Tangible Embedded and Embodied Interaction 2024
Honorable Mention

Augmenting Welding Training: An XR Platform to Foster Muscle Memory and Mindfulness for Skills Development

ACM Interactive Surfaces and Spaces 2023
Best Demo

Extended Reality Technology Center (XRTC) Inaugural Symposium

Carnegie Mellon University | 2023

Teaching

Adjunct Instructor, Digital Software Lab

Carnegie Mellon University School of Design

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Carnegie Mellon University | 2021-Present

Experience

Interaction Designer

Carnegie Mellon University | 2022-Present

Design Intern, Insights to Innovation (i2i)

3M | 2022-2023

Product Designer

Freelance (Discover Together, Super, Spice, Rising Stars) | 2020-Present

Web Designer, Research Intern

Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development | 2020

In a past life...

Executive Director, Promotions Director

Cornell Concert Commission | 2017-2020

Marketing Representative

AWAL, Kobalt Music Group | 2019-2020

Creative Consultant and Event Coordinator

Infinite Youth | Sep 2019-May 2020

Field Researcher

Vitousek Laboratory, Cornell University | 2017-2018

Now Listening

What's Your Pleasure?
Jessie Ware

‍

MAHAL
Toro y Moi

Mercurial World
Magdalena Bay

Sixteen Oceans
Four Tet

Sel. Ambient Works 85-92
Aphex Twin

Titanic Rising
Weyes Blood

‍

Visualizing Systems

An investigation of food production as a system

Systems Visualization

Storytelling

Interactive Prototyping

3M Internship

Applying design thinking and empathy-driven research to navigate ambiguity and inspire transformational opportunities

Design Research

Futures + Foresights

Design Strategy

Discover Together

Creating connective opportunities through music discovery

Digital Product Design

User Research

UX/UI

Children and Screens

Helping children and young adults navigate the digital age

Web Design

Research

Branding & Strategy

Spotify Timeline

A product concept for the nostalgic listener

Music Programming + Promotions

Bringing audiences together.

Ann Li

is a multidisciplinary designerdriven by storytelling, sense-making, and curiosity, exploring experiential narratives and creative tech

Best viewed on desktop

Howdy, thanks for dropping by...The name's Ann. I'm a designer, music lover, and art enthusiast from Houston, TX 🤠

Education

Carnegie Mellon University

Cornell University

Publications and Speaking

Augmenting Embodied Learning in Welding Training: The Co-Design of an XR- and tinyML-Enabled Welding System for Creative Arts and Manufacturing Training

Augmenting Welding Training: An XR Platform to Foster Muscle Memory and Mindfulness for Skills Development

Extended Reality Technology Center (XRTC) Inaugural Symposium

Teaching

Adjunct Instructor, Digital Software Lab

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Experience

Interaction Designer

Design Intern, Insights to Innovation (i2i)

Product Designer

Web Designer, Research Intern

In a past life...

Executive Director, Promotions Director

Marketing Representative

Creative Consultant and Event Coordinator

Field Researcher

Now Listening

Visualizing Systems

3M Internship

Discover Together

Children and Screens

Spotify Timeline

04

Music Programming + Promotions

100 Days

04

Music Programming + Promotions

STEM as Identity

04

Music Programming + Promotions

Negative Space

04

Music Programming + Promotions

Children and Screens

04

Music Programming + Promotions

Design Lecture Series

04

Music Programming + Promotions

Convergence

04

Music Programming + Promotions

Visualizing Systems

04

Music Programming + Promotions

The Future of Broadway

04

Music Programming + Promotions

04

Discover Together

04

Music Programming + Promotions

05

3M Internship

04

Music Programming + Promotions

06

Wishwell

04

Music Programming + Promotions

07

Cara

04

Music Programming + Promotions

08

Augmenting Embodied Learning in Mixed Reality In-Situ Welding

04

Music Programming + Promotions

09

A Changing Arctic

04

is a multidisciplinary designer
driven by storytelling, sense-making, and curiosity, exploring experiential narratives and creative tech

Howdy, thanks for dropping by...
The name's Ann.
I'm a designer, music lover, and art enthusiast from Houston, TX 🤠