Members
Eva Chang
Producer
Hello, I’m Eva! As the producer of the StepUp team, I bring a background in Business and Digital Content Design. My journey through product design and management has always been guided by a desire to create meaningful change. At the ETC, I sharpened my ability to lead teams in making experiences that aren’t just engaging but transformational. I love the idea that technology and design can be powerful tools for social good, and I’m excited to continue creating experiences that make a difference in the world.
Anna Kim
Narrative Designer
Hi, I’m Anna, and I am the narrative/interaction designer of our team StepUp. I am devoted to the implementation of ideas to create a positive social impact in the direction of equity and diversity. I enjoy combining my technical background with my artistic skills to create innovative and creative solutions. The reason why I am especially enthusiastic about this project is because I could develop visionary concepts for a transformational game through direct research with target audiences and playtests. I’m also highly motivated by the hands-on opportunity to create practical, interactive experiences that can positively influence user behavior. Possessing a positive attitude and a growth-oriented mindset, I am constantly seeking opportunities to expand my knowledge and skills as a designer.
Lawrence Luo
3D Artist
My name is Lawrence, one of the artists in the team StepUp! My expertise and previous experience helped me gain a solid understanding in using 3D software to convey art through videos and games, and I am looking forward to bring more infectious pieces to nowadays generation. I like anything that can inspire aesthetic content, like shoe fashion and traditional culture, which are cores of this project that attract me a lot. Video games, sports, music, and automobiles are my dailies that keep me happy and inspired as well. Working with my teammates in StepUp will definitely make a great success with an astonishing piece this semester.
Regina Xia
3D Artist
Hi, I’m Regina, one of the 3D artist in the StepUp Team. My expertise and previous background in fashion design fuels my passion for exploring the intersection between fashion and game art. I have a deep love for fashion, games, music, and films, and I strive to create designs that not only inspire but also contribute to making the world a better place. I am very happy to work with the amazing teammates in this incredibly meaningful project.
Yawan Xiao
UIUX Designer
Hi! I’m Yawen Xiao, currently working as a UX/UI designer on the team. As a designer, I don’t want to limit myself to any specific title—whether it’s ‘Experiential Designer,’ ‘UX/UI Designer,’ ‘Product Designer,’ ‘Interactive Designer,’ or ‘Graphic Designer.’ I believe all kinds of design are intertwined, and I want to explore different media to discover more possibilities in design. I am sure that this project is truly meaningful and aligns with my design belief in making an impact through design.
Tyler Yang
Programmer
My name is Tyler, and I’m the programmer on the team. I’m a passionate software developer in building interactive experiences. With a solid foundation in computer science, I have experience in multiple areas and my current focus lies in the exciting fields of deep learning and game development. I look forward to craft experiences and utilize my expertise to make contribution towards a meaningful and transformative game that would influence the world.
Instructor
Heather Kelley
Heather Kelley is an award-winning game designer, media artist, curator and researcher. Her experimental game work focuses on unique sensory effects, integrating perceptions of touch, smell, movement, sound, and nervous system response. Since 2015 she has taught at the Entertainment Technology Center of Carnegie Mellon University, where she holds the title Associate Teaching Professor. She serves as the Sensory Director at the LIKELIKE gallery for independent games and playful arts. Ms. Kelley was named by Fast Company magazine as one of 2011’s thirty most influential women in technology, the same year that her innovative mobile app OhMiBod Remote won Best Applica4on from Vienna Austria’s annual Content Awards. In 2012, she co-curated Joue le jeu, a groundbreaking 5000 m2 exhibition of video games and commissioned play installations in Paris, France. In 2013, Microsoft Women In Gaming awarded her their Innovator Award. Ms. Kelley is a founder of the experimental game collec4ve Kokoromi, with whom she produced and curated the renowned GAMMA events from 2006 to 2010, promoting experimental games as creative expression in a social context. In 2016 Kokoromi released the retrofuturistic VR puzzle game SUPERHYPERCUBE on the Sony Playstation 4. Ms. Kelley’s extensive career in gamedevelopment has included design and production of touchscreen vibrator controllers, AAA next-gen console games, interactive smart toys, mobile and handheld games, research games, installation games, and web communities for girls. She holds a Master of Arts in Communication from the University of Texas at Austin.
Charles Johnson
Charles has expertise in bridging the physical and digital worlds. For nearly three decades Charles worked within the context of sports, fashion, active lifestyle, esports and connected products for leading global brands such as Adidas, Puma and Converse. With an Industrial Design degree from CMU, his professional starting point as a product designer specializing in footwear transformed to executive level leadership shaping visions, teams and global strategies. Alongside his teaching he consults to a range of industries helping brands navigate their vision, corporate product engines shape new experiences and venture capitalists in need of expert insight to help guide their investment decision.
