Yuan Mu _ Design & Research

About me

Based in Portland with a penchant for travel, Yuan Mu currently works as a computational designer in Nike Innovation. By day, she specializes in designing and researching wearable technology, particularly focusing on innovative methods of make. In her spare time, she explores the intricacies of digital design and fabrication tools, expands her skills and perception through a variety of professional experiences. Prior to joining Nike, she worked in architectural and 3d visualization offices in Los Angeles.

Yuan received her Master of Design Studies in Technology from Harvard Graduate School of Design, Master of Architecture from Southern California Institute of Architecture, and her Bachelor of Art History from University of Arizona with Distinction.


Professional Experience


Lead Computational Designer @ Nike Inc. Advanced Innovation

2018.06 - Present

Portland, OR

Engage with athletes through interviews and interactions at sporting events to capture their insights and aspirations. Translate their vision into future concepts by formulating strategies and utilizing advanced design tools. Develop a cohesive product family characterized by shared design language and fabrication methods.

Key Product: Nike Zeus Sunglasses, launch during Olympic 2024

Key Project: Nike A.I.R. Olympic Event, April 2024

Design and construct air sock shoe prototype with 3d printed textile and 3d printed nails for Olympian Sha’Carri Richardson, 3d printed jewelry for event athletes

 

 

Concentrate one computational and material research for wearable technology by employing innovative manufacturing techniques. Extend the boundaries of textile creation to meet both production-level demands and performance standards for footwear, apparel, and accessories.

Key Product:  Nike AlphaFly Next Nature, launched Fall/Holiday2021

Read the story: Nike’s Most Sustainably-Minded Performance Shoe Yet

 

Develop a data-driven workflow for product creation, exploring the interrelationships among data, geometry, and fabrication. Provide solution for manufacture challenges and enhance capability for manufacture.

Key Product: Nike Air Force 1 X Swarovski Collab. launched Fall/Holiday2021

Read the story: Swarovski & Nike’s Air Force 1 Is the Pinnacle of Reflectivity

Spearhead interdisciplinary design projects, coordinating efforts across diverse teams to ensure cohesive and innovative outcomes. Initiate comprehensive proposals that focus on cutting-edge design technologies and strategic pathways to market. Foster collaboration and synergy among team members, leveraging their unique skills and perspectives to drive forward-thinking solutions.

 

Art Residency @ Digital Stone Project

2023.01 - 2023.07

Portland, OR + Gramolazzo, Italy

Designed “Well-Suited”, a sculpture within the principles of continuous topology and multi-resolution. Collaborated with technicians to prepare the digital file for rough toolpath robotic milling. Handcrafted final details and finishing touches in mountains of Tuscany, ensuring a perfect blend of technological precision and artisanal craftsmanship. Well-Suited was displayed in TECHNO_lithic exhibition in the city of Barga, Italy, featured as the cover page. 

Visual Artist @ Squared Design Lab

2017.05 - 2017.08

Los Angeles , CA

+ 3d rendering model file preparation and texture mapping

+ 3d rendering file setting for camera, lighting

+  VR file setup

Architectural Designer @ Undsiclosable Inc.

2016. 01 - 2016. 09 | 2017. 05 - 2017.09

Los Angeles, CA 

+  Construction documentation  

+  Rendering     

+  Digital modeling and conceptual diagram                                              

 

Photographer @ Southern California Institute of Architecture

2012.09-2015.09

Los Angeles, CA

+ Take photos for all the lectures and events

+ Take photos for exhibition models

+ Select and edit photos for publication


Education


Harvard Graduate School of Design 

2016.09 - 2018.05 Cambridge, MA    

+ Master of Design Studies
  in the concentration of computational design and art medium  

Southern California Institute of Architecture        

2012.09 - 2015.09   Los Angeles, CA  

+ Master of Architecture                                                                                  

  • Admission scholarship
     Continuous scholarship

University of Arizona           

2009.08 - 2012.05 Tucson, AZ

+ Bachelor of Art                                                                     
   Major in Art History,  Minor in Architecture History and Theory

  • Graduation with Academic Distinction : Cum Laude


Teaching and Academic Experience


Invited Lecture, “Algorithmic Artistry”, Zayed University , Abu Dhabi

2024. 04


Invited Critics and Advisor @ DesignMorphine Master Program

2021 .09 – Present

  • Introduce project-specific academic and industry case studies through theory lab during early concept development.

  • Provide feedback and expertise on technical accuracy and design narratives during periodic chapter reviews and final reviews.


Dynamic Mutations, DesignMorphine, J-term @ Harvard Graduate School of Design

2021 .01

  • Dynamic Mutations GSD V6.0 explores a range of studies using a dynamic workflow between Autodesk Maya and McNeel Rhino+Grasshopper. The program aims to showcase how these software tools interact uniquely, starting with fundamental polygon modeling and employing UV mapping to establish connections between geometry and its animated features. It then delves into time-based effects by generating curves or topographical lines from shared geometric parameters. Students will gain proficiency in navigating interfaces, combining manual sculpting with physical simulation, and creating computational models with adjustable degrees of freedom. Emphasizing procedural design, the curriculum encourages students to rethink the relationships between        different techniques and break the boundaries of the conventional thinking around said tools.


Teaching Assistant @ Harvard Graduate School of Design

2017.08 - 2018.05

Cambridge, MA

+  Andrew Witt's course Digital Media II  :                                   Giving desk critics about assignments, providing technical help for grasshopper

+  Volkan Alkanoglu's courses Hybrid Formation & Near Drawing: Giving tutorial for VRay, provide technique help for MAYA and 3dsMAX


Technical Skills


Industry Proficiency:

            Grasshopper3d/Rhino, Autodesk Maya, SideFX Houdini

            Adobe AfterEffects/Photoshop/Illustrator/Indesign

            FDM/DLP/SLS 3d printing

Project Based/Academic Experience:

            Unity, Unreal, Zbrush, Arduino, Robots


Fluent in Chinese and English