By: Farmani Group

Meeting Yiqi Zhao, one of the Creative Communication Award (C2A) Jury, was an enlightening experience. Her presence in the design community is marked by a unique blend of creativity and technological prowess, making her a standout figure in mixed reality and AI-driven design. Zhao’s work is not just about pushing the boundaries of technology but redefining how we interact with and perceive the world around us – bringing design from 2D to 3D.

AI as a Catalyst for Creativity

The debate over whether AI will replace human designers is ongoing, but Yiqi Zhao offers a nuanced perspective. Her projects illustrate that AI may be an innovative tool to enhance, rather than replace, human creativity. By lowering the barriers to entry in complex design fields, AI democratizes design, making it accessible to a broader audience.

Zhao’s Holo Flower Brain project demonstrates the potential to “mind control” an interactive interface using the Emotiv headset, an EEG device that detects brain activity. This real-time data visualization tool converts brainwave data into a 3D display, offering users a novel way to understand their mental states. By integrating AI with mixed reality, Zhao has developed a platform that visualizes brain activity and provides innovative solutions for mental wellness. This project is particularly relevant today, as nearly one in five adults in the United States live with a mental illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. By offering a unique tool for understanding brain activity, Zhao’s work addresses mental health and wellness in a user-centered and artistically engaging manner.

The Power of 3D Design 

In her article “Why Designers Should Dive into 3D Now,” Zhao discusses the transformative potential of spatial anchors, a technology that allows virtual objects to persist. “Spatial anchors allow you to keep virtual objects in the same place across different sessions,” she explains. This capability introduces exciting opportunities for enhancing immersive experiences, such as interactive scavenger hunts or intuitive navigation aids. By linking virtual objects to specific physical locations, digital elements can feel more seamlessly integrated into the real world.

Zhao’s exploration of spatial anchors in her concept Immersed Cellular demonstrates how this technology can enhance traditional art exhibitions. By incorporating digital elements into physical art pieces, Zhao explores interactions that connect the physical and digital worlds engagingly. “I wanted to push the boundaries of traditional art exhibitions by transforming my physical art pieces into portals that could transport viewers into an extended space,” she writes. This approach contributes to the visual flow of her design and enables viewers to engage with the environment and each other in a shared experience.

Generative AI: A New Frontier in Design

Zhao’s exploration of Generative AI (GenAI) further underscores her role as a pioneer in design. Her Fractal Flower-eye project is a testament to the potential of human-AI collaboration. By integrating 3D mathematical algorithms with artistic elements, Zhao develops visual experiences that are showcased in art galleries in London and Paris. This project explores the interaction between AI and human creativity, offering designers new ways to approach artistic expression.

Moreover, Zhao’s work with GenAI makes the design process more accessible. By streamlining complex technical tasks, she empowers individuals without advanced coding skills to engage in creative industries. This broader access to design tools contributes to new opportunities in multimedia 3D design, including potential impacts on the U.S. job market.

From Digital Concepts to Marketable Products

Zhao’s innovative approach extends beyond digital design into product development and marketing. Her Starting Twin IP series showcases an AI-led approach to transforming digital sketches into physical products. By leveraging AI-driven tools, Zhao helps freelance designers scale their creations into marketable products, cultivating social media trends and monetizing their online presence.

This approach contributes to the attention economy and supports broader access to the benefits of innovation. By empowering diverse creators, including freelance artists and social media content makers, Zhao’s work establishes societal goals of inclusivity and accessibility. Her projects demonstrate that AI is a design methodology that helps enhance human creativity rather than a replacement for it.

A Vision for the Future

Yiqi Zhao’s work in mixed reality and AI-driven design explores the evolving role of design in society. Her approach highlights the potential of technology to support human-centered experiences and address practical challenges.

As we move towards a future where digital and physical realities blend seamlessly, Zhao’s vision for design is increasingly relevant for helping creators adopt 3D design into traditional product design. Her projects explore AI and mixed reality to develop interactive experiences that engage audiences through input and interaction. By embracing these technologies, creators may unlock new possibilities for storytelling, engagement, and community-building.

In a world where the boundaries between 3D technology and creativity are increasingly blurred, Yiqi Zhao emerges as a spatial computing leader who strongly emphasizes community. Her involvement as a judge in 3D-focused mixed reality hackathons, such as XR Hack, the XR Design Challenge, and the MIT Reality Hack, underscores her commitment to fostering innovation. Zhao’s work in mixed reality and AI-driven design explores new possibilities beyond traditional 2D screens, contributing to the evolving conversation on how technology interacts with creative expression.

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