Current Role: Product Designer at Foodsmart
Major: Interactive Media Arts (IMA)
Hometown: Harbin, China
From NYU Shanghai classroom to the cutting edge of health tech innovation in the bay area, the career journey of Fei Zeping revolved around using design to create real and meaningful social impact.
How has NYU Shanghai impacted you on your journey after graduation?
At NYU Shanghai, especially within IMA, I was experimenting with various technologies and mediums, from installation art to live performances and wearable technology, and I often centered my work on marginalized or overlooked communities. Through these projects, I discovered my passion for creating human-centered, tech-driven experiences that blend storytelling, interaction, and social impact.
A class that made a deep impression was Extended Perception, taught by Associate Arts Professor of IMA Stavros Didakis. It was hands-on and interdisciplinary, combining hardware, software, and strategic design. It pushed me to think beyond the immediate, to imagine speculative futures and design for possibilities. That mindset has stayed with me through grad school and into my career.
What was your study away experience like?
My study away experiences in Prague and Abu Dhabi broadened my cultural lens. Immersing myself in diverse and unfamiliar environments helped me develop adaptability and cultural sensitivity – two qualities I now consider essential to thoughtful, inclusive design. These experiences also made my transition to life in the US much smoother, both personally and professionally.
Beyond academia, NYU Shanghai broadened my horizons, introduced me to lifelong friends and mentors, taught me to think critically and act boldly, and helped me become more resilient and curious. It also gave me a unique global perspective that continues to shape both my life and my career. Looking back, choosing NYU Shanghai remains one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
What brought you to the Bay Area?
I moved to San Francisco in 2022 to pursue my Master of Design degree in Human-Computer Interaction at UC Berkeley. I really enjoy the lifestyle here – the weather is mild year-round, which means I get to spend a lot of time outdoors sailing, hiking, going on road trips with friends, or just picnicking in the park.
On a professional level, the Bay Area is constantly buzzing with conversations around emerging tech, especially AI. It feels like living in a bubble where innovation is always in the air. That energy can be overwhelming at times, but it also keeps me inspired and curious.
What was your experience like at UC Berkeley?
The Master of Design program, with its focus on the intersection of design and emerging technology, helped me extend my creative and technical skills. The coursework emphasized speculative design, design frameworks and ethics, and emerging technologies like soft robotics and biotechnology.
A highlight of my time at Berkeley was designing a project called Bravo, an IoT device that enabled remote colleagues to send and receive physical notes in real time, fostering team-bonding and promoting positive energy in the remote work experience. Bravo won a Silver Award at the 2023 International Design Awards, which was incredibly encouraging.
Can you tell us about your current role and your career path?
I’m currently Product Designer at Foodsmart, a leading telenutrition and foodcare solution that promotes healthier food choices and delivers long-term health outcomes. Many of our members struggle with chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia – often worsened by limited access to personalized, affordable, nutritious food. I design streamlined platforms for our nationwide team of dietitians to better serve our 2.2 million members. My work involves balancing user needs, technical feasibility, and business goals to create systems that genuinely make a difference.
What I love most is the shift from asking questions in college to answering them in my work today. At NYU Shanghai, my projects were often conceptual and exploratory. Now, my focus is solution-oriented—I’m designing for real people, with urgent needs. It’s incredibly satisfying to see the tangible impact of my design decisions in people’s lives.
How has your perspective evolved since NYU Shanghai, and where do you see yourself heading next?
Since graduating, I’ve grown much more comfortable with ambiguity and change. Before NYU Shanghai, I wanted everything clearly mapped out—but that experience taught me how to be flexible and adapt quickly to dynamic environments. My time at Berkeley further encouraged me to think more strategically and adopt a long-term perspective.
Today, I find myself exploring new possibilities across diverse domains – from conversational design to AI to healthtech enterprise. Rather than fitting into a defined problem space, I am more interested in how design can create meaningful impact across different contexts.
Looking ahead, I aim to continue my career in design and step into design leadership — not just managing teams, but shaping how we build inclusive, thoughtful, and future-focused systems. I want to contribute to defining how technology integrates into people’s lives in more intentional, and unconventional ways.
Finally, any advice for NYU Shanghai students?
First, be open to change. New cultures, new environments, new people – embrace them, lean into them. Second, be bold. Take risks and try new things, even if they may feel intimidating. I learned so much by exploring unfamiliar technologies, mediums, and domains. Those experiences helped me carve out a unique path, and they can do the same for you.