In today’s fast-paced society, design has evolved beyond mere aesthetics to become a crucial bridge between technology and humanity. Within this context, the role of designers has become increasingly pivotal. They are not only tasked with creating visually appealing designs but also with ensuring inclusivity and usability. Peijun Du (Peggy), a rising designer in the fields of innovation, accessibility, and user-centered design, exemplifies this evolving role.
As the fields of technology and design continue to advance, Peijun Du’s design journey has also evolved. Beginning with a background in architecture, her deep interest in understanding user needs and exploring emerging technologies led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction. Since graduating from the University of Michigan, Peggy has contributed to several impactful projects. Her progress as a product designer has showcased personal growth, cultural integration, and female leadership.
Her focus on user experience, particularly in inclusive design, was evident during her work at Harvard University Library. At Harvard, Peggy played a crucial role in enhancing the accessibility of the Hollis website. By rigorously adhering to WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards, she identified and addressed accessibility issues, making Harvard Library’s digital resources more user-friendly for everyone. Her close collaboration with the development team resulted in an accessibility score improvement from 85 to 90. This achievement not only highlighted her technical precision but also underscored her strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) values.
Beyond inclusive design, Peggy has also demonstrated exceptional leadership in innovative projects. While working at Argis Solutions, she was selected to lead the redesign of the Argis Lens user interface and workflow. As the only designer on the team, she played a key role throughout the entire process, from concept to implementation, particularly in designing features for mobile and web platforms. She focused on bridging the gap between emerging technologies such as GIS and AR and non-technical users, making complex technology easier to understand and use. The redesigned interface not only improved the efficiency and accuracy of field staff but also optimized workflows, bringing significant added value to the company and its clients.
Peggy’s work in other areas has been equally impressive, further expanding her design influence. In the Marcum MX7 project, Peggy showcased her exceptional ability to translate complex data into user-friendly interfaces. The Marcum MX7, an advanced digital GPS sonar fishing system, benefited from her user-centered design approach, ensuring the usability and intuitiveness of the product’s features. This design success was reflected in the product’s market performance, with strong sales on major retail platforms like Walmart and Bass Pro Shops.
Continuing her drive for innovation, Peggy has recently led new projects with remarkable results. She spearheaded the design of the “Core by Chloe Ting” health and fitness app. From concept to launch, as the lead UX designer, she successfully enhanced the app’s consistency and user experience across iOS and Android platforms through user research, problem-solving, and design system construction. The app received over 100,000 downloads within two weeks of its release, maintaining a 4.9 rating from 2.5K reviews, and won the 2024 Red Dot Award in Brand and Communication Design, marking global recognition of her work.
Throughout her career, Peggy Du has garnered numerous accolades for her outstanding contributions across various fields. She has received multiple international design awards, including the Red Dot Design Award, UX Design Award, and London Design Award. These honors not only affirm her exceptional design capabilities but also recognize her efforts to drive social progress through design.
Looking ahead, Peggy Du remains passionate about driving innovation and development in the design field. She is committed to creating value for diverse user groups through innovative design. As her career continues to evolve, she will keep exploring emerging technologies and human-centered design to transform how people interact with the digital world. Additionally, she hopes to inspire more young designers to address real-world challenges and collectively create a more inclusive and innovative future.
Published by: Khy Talara
