Meet Bei Hu

We were lucky to catch up with Bei Hu recently and have shared our conversation below.

Bei, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

It’s been a long journey for me to discover my purpose as both a multidisciplinary designer and educator. I find joy in connecting with people through design and teaching. Working at the intersection of design and emerging technology as an Assistant Professor at Washington University in St. Louis, I remind myself that technology is a tool meant to serve people. The same holds true for design and teaching—the ultimate goal is always the people I connect with.

Through my creative practice, research, and teaching, I strive to remain a humble lifelong learner and to share the joy of creativity. Growing alongside talented designers, artists, educators, and students enriches my understanding of my purpose.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am a multidisciplinary designer with expertise in user experience and interaction design across web, app, and wearable technology. Currently, I am an Assistant Professor in Design at WashU (Washington University in St. Louis), teaching Interaction Design in the Human-Computer Interaction Minor and contributing to the development of the STEM-designated Master of Design for Human-Computer Interaction and Emerging Technology. My recent roles include Visiting Assistant Professor at the Kansas City Art Institute and design lab staff at New York University, where I also earned my master’s degree in Interactive Telecommunications, focusing on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Prior to that, I earned an MFA in Design from the China Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA), concentrating on user experience design of wearable technology, and a BFA in Visual Communication from CAFA.

My work focuses on creating playful and impactful user experiences in web, app, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) environments, with particular emphasis on social connection, mental wellness, and health monitoring. Beyond conventional digital interfaces, I design “unconventional interfaces”—solutions that forego explicit instructions or tangible forms in favor of more intuitive feedback methods. My research explores the question: “How can interaction design facilitate emotional expression and shape human interactions in novel ways?” In the ever-expanding landscape of emerging technologies, the essence of humanity and the simple goal of improving each person’s life remain at the heart of it all.

One of my signature projects, “1.2 Meters,” is a wearable accessory offering an interactive experience that embodies the concept of social distance. Designed to address the challenges of social distancing in a post-pandemic world, this project captures our collective yearning to return to a time when we could freely connect with one another. When the distance between the wearer and passers-by falls below 1.2 meters, the wearable piece gradually transitions from dark to bright. The gentle rhythm of the changing light mimics the pattern of breathing, serving as a subtle reminder of the face-to-face interactions we once took for granted. Another project, “Channeling to Self,” is an interactive light installation that expresses emotions through a meditative form of Mark Rothko-like paintings, created in collaboration with Minjun Kim. This installation allows viewers to reflect their inner states through two controllable knobs connected to an LED painting.

I also focus on diversity and cultural impact through design. My project, “Our Sky Project,” is a socially engaged, audience-generated video installation inviting global participants to share their stories of friendship and distance. This project celebrates coexistence and the profound, intangible human connections we share, featuring contributions from over 20 countries. It has been showcased in a national exhibition in China and various museums, galleries, and public spaces, as well as in VR using Unreal Engine. “Our Sky Project” is currently displayed as a site-specific artwork in Kansas City, supported by The Art in the Loop Foundation.

My work has reached thousands through museums, galleries, and public spaces both nationally and internationally, including notable exhibitions such as the 13th National Exhibition of Fine Arts in China. Other locations include the Museum of Fine Arts at Florida State University (FL), CAFA Museum (BJ), Today Art Museum (BJ), KCAI ArtSpace (MO), Brownie/Project Gallery (SH), Anomaly Gallery (SH), NYU Tisch ITP Show (NY) (2022-23), Beijing Gauguin Gallery (BJ), and more. My work has been recognized for design excellence by Graphic Design USA (GDUSA), Communication Arts (CA), the American Society of Typography (STA), dotCOMM Awards, and WSXA International Film Award. It has been published in books by American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Press, prominent art and design academic journals, and national newspapers such as China Daily, and has been presented at international conferences in the United States and Europe.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that have been most impactful in my journey are adaptability, courage, and curiosity. Life has taken me from Beijing to NYC, to Kansas City, and now to St. Louis, with frequent environmental changes. It has been essential to remain flexible and authentic, presenting myself as I am. This adaptability has helped me build meaningful connections and quickly adjust to new environments. As I settle into St. Louis, I’m confident I’ll establish meaningful connections here as well.

Secondly, courage in pursuing new ideas and directions has been crucial. I believe nothing is impossible; it only seems so until an idea comes. Finally, following my curiosity has always led to creativity. When I am passionate about what I do, every day is exciting, and I wake up eager to start a new day.

For those early in their creative practice or professional development, be patient with yourself. There are no shortcuts—take one step at a time and seek out what you excel at and are passionate about.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

Throughout my journey, many individuals have played a crucial role in my life. From a young age, my supportive parents—both professors in art and design—instilled in me a passion for creativity and resilience.

I want to emphasize the impact of my cohort in the Interactive Telecommunications Master’s program at New York University. Learning alongside such diverse peers was invaluable. Together, we faced challenges, providing mutual support that fostered both personal and collective growth. Those two years were intense yet transformative, allowing me to embrace failure as an essential part of the creative process.

Through frequent prototyping and collaboration, I delved into creative coding, physical computing, virtual reality, wearables, and app design. This experience taught me to adapt to new knowledge and embrace mistakes, as creativity often requires taking risks, reimagining, and constantly asking, “Why?”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://beihudesign.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hubei_becca/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hubeibecca/