Design Researcher · Product Designer

Anik (Liu Yang), RCA designer and design researcher — Design either regenerates or breaks inequality.

I design for more inclusive futures.

Research-driven design,
human-centered outcomes.

I'm a Design Researcher and Product Designer with experience spanning academia, startups, and industry. My work bridges the gap between user needs and innovative solutions through rigorous research, thoughtful prototyping, and iterative testing.

Design Research

From culture probes to usability testing, I use evidence-based research methods to uncover deep user insights that drive design decisions.

Product Design

From concept to prototype, I design products that balance user needs with technical feasibility and business viability.

Inclusive Technology

I explore embodied interaction and accessible systems that make emerging technology more understandable, usable, and dignified.

Systems Thinking

I connect people, products, and infrastructures into coherent systems that can be researched, prototyped, and improved over time.

Academic journey.

A progressive path through design, animation, and research — building a multidisciplinary foundation.

09.2019 – 08.2023

BA Animation

Xiamen University Tan Kah Kee College, China

GPA: 3.7/4 Rank: 1/78

09.2024 – 08.2025

MA Design Products

Royal College of Art, UK

View RCA Student Profile ↗
User Experience Design Students Rep

09.2025 – Present

Master's in Design Studies

Fuzhou University, China

WordsFrom Mentors.

RCA · School of Design
Academic notes · 01—04

A few reflections from tutors and critics on the way I frame questions, build evidence, and develop ideas through practice.

Selected work.
Recognized outcomes.

Awards & Honours

2026

Bada Robotic Arm Control System

China–U.S. Young Makers Competition — 2nd Prize "Data Element ×" Contest — 2nd Prize Xiamen University Entrepreneurship Competition — 2nd Prize Jinluwei Design Competition — Shortlisted

2025

The Breath of Pamir

iF Student Award Winner, 2025

2025–2026

PINOCIO Device

Design Master Prize — Best of Best, 2025 New Quality Design Awards — Silver Award, 2026 Paris Design Awards — Honourable Mention, 2025 International Design Awards — Honourable Mention, 2025 Jinluwei Design Competition — Shortlisted Design Value Award · Shortlist Huacan Award — Silver Award, 2025 The Ocean Cup — Nominee Award, 2025

Other Projects

Additional Project Awards

Times Young Creative Awards — Excellence Award Silk Road Star Design Competition — Silver Award HKDADC — Excellence Award

Research output.

Contributions to academic discourse on design, AI, and accessibility.

2026

Evaluating designers' acceptance of AI generated content using TAM and TRI frameworks

Wang, S.-F., Liu, K.-Y., Liu, Y., et al.

Scientific Reports, 16, 19594.

Under Review

When Accessibility Became a Fact: Black-Boxing, Statement Types, and Representative Closure in Accessibility Standards, 1950–1997

Liu, Y., Wang, S.-F., Zhao, F.-Y.

Design Issues (Under Review)

Under Review

Under Review

The Structure of Generative AI Prompt Engineering and Its Effects on Design Performance

Zhao, F.-Y., Liu, Y., Wang, S.-F.

Packaging Engineering (Under Review)

Under Review

Professional journey.

From founding startups to design internships across industries.

09.2025 – Present

Founder & Manager

Bada AI Smart Life Pavilion

09.2025 – Present

Founder & UX Engineer

Bada Innovation Co., Ltd.

07.2025 – 08.2025

Sports Watch Design Intern

EZON

05.2026 – 06.2026

Toy Design Intern

KALEE

07.2026 – 08.2026

Brand Strategy Design Intern

Publicity Department of the CPC Zhangzhou Municipal Committee

Skills & tools.

A comprehensive toolkit spanning research, design, prototyping, evaluation, and analysis.

Let's connect.
Make something useful.

Whether it's a research collaboration, design project, or creative partnership — I'd love to hear from you.

Bring a difficult question.
Let's make it tangible.

Research, product design, and prototypes are better when they begin with a real question. Tell me what you are trying to understand, build, or change.

Research · design · prototypes