Hi, I’m Peng Lu

UX Researcher & Design Strategist

I’m a UX Researcher and Service Design Strategist with a research-driven approach to complex system design and human-technology interaction. Adept at translating deep user behavior insights (qualitative & quantitative) into actionable design strategies that inform product roadmaps and user-centered systems. Experienced in leading mixed-method research and bridging human experience with technology in multidisciplinary teams.

Selected Work

Strategic Research & Framework Development: Designing for Co-Driving Pleasure in the Automated Mobility Era

This project addresses a strategically overlooked bottleneck in autonomous Human-Machine Interaction (HMI): how to scientifically design and realize user trust, pleasure, and well-being within highly automated systems.

Strategic UX Redesign: Enhancing Library Resource Utilization and User Co-Construction via BookHero

A strategic analysis identified that the library's fragmented digital ecosystem was causing resource waste; the proposed BookHero system addresses this by unifying touchpoints and integrating social discovery features to boost future resource utilization.

a.wear: Smart Wearable App & Service Design

a.wear is a smart wearable Product-Service System (PSS) for teenagers (13-15). It transforms physiological data from smart undergarments into empathetic, non-compulsory digital guidance, aimed at eliminating shame and fostering self-acceptance over competition. (My Role: Sole UX/UI and Interaction Designer for the App)

Experience

November 2021 → June 2025

PhD Researcher

Politecnico di Milano, Italy

Led a 4-year, mixed-method UX research program on Human-Vehicle Interaction (HVI) and automation, informing future mobility UX strategies.

Developed strategic design frameworks (e.g., Human-Vehicle Relation & Co-Driving Pleasure Model ) to guide automotive HMI/UX system design.

Designed and applied novel research tools (e.g., Thing-sona ) to capture subjective driving experiences and support cross-cultural design considerations.

May 2023 → November 2023

Design Researcher Internship

GranStudio, Turin, Italy

Applied doctoral research expertise to contribute data-driven UX viewpoints on automated driving, supporting industry innovation discussions for future mobility concepts.

January 2021 → July 2021

Service Design & Management Thesis Internship

Humanitas San Pio X Hospital, Milan, Italy

Applied service design methods and quantitative/qualitative data analysis to optimize patient pathways and enhance the waiting-time experience.