Xinxin Li

Master of Information (MI) and Master of Museum Studies (MMSt)

Combined Degree Program · MI concentration: User Experience Design

Faculty of Information · Toronto, ON

Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Industrial Design

College of Art and Design · Rochester, NY

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Industrial Design

School of Design · Savannah, GA

Pawssenger — Enhance the experience of flying with pets

Rochester Institute of Technology

• Conducted user interviews, secondary research, and journey mapping to investigate safety, comfort, mobility, and monitoring challenges in long-distance pet air travel.
• Translated research findings into 35+ concepts and conducted ergonomic and spatial simulations using Boeing 777 seating constraints to inform product and aircraft-integration requirements.
• Built and iteratively evaluated physical prototypes, developing a multifunctional expandable carrier system designed around pet welfare, owner experience, and different travel scenarios.

Image Permanence Institute, RIT

Rochester, NY

• Collaborated with museum conservators and researchers to design and produce a 3D-printed study collection for teaching and collections research.
• Designed test models for multiple 3D printing materials, adapting geometry for printability and sectioning into smaller test specimens.
• Coordinated printing across departments and assembled models in different materials into a research sample collection.
• Designed protective packaging tailored to model dimensions to prevent damage during transportation, with handling and storage considerations.

UX capstone project · INF2192

University of Toronto

• Contributed to a team study using six user interviews, six card-sorting sessions, and thirteen task-based usability tests to examine how users found people and resources on the DH@UofT website.
• Identified problems with homepage navigation, the distinction between Learning and Labs, and searches for people; used findings to inform proposed navigation and content organisation.

Course project · MSL2306

University of Toronto

• Assessed physical, sensory, and interpretive accessibility at the Royal Ontario Museum, including the Bees exhibition, with attention to wayfinding, lighting, seating information, labels, and interactive controls.
• Documented access barriers alongside tactile models and Braille provision, and developed recommendations for clearer orientation and more accessible exhibition interpretation.

Research methods course project · INF2169

University of Toronto

• Contributed to a mixed-methods study of barriers to women’s participation in public fitness spaces, using semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire (n=10 each).
• Used thematic analysis and descriptive statistics to inform recommendations for equipment access, instructional guidance, and social comfort.

Pop-up exhibition · Museums and Cultural Heritage course project

University of Toronto

• Co-curated a one-week pop-up exhibition exploring AI, authorship, and interpretive authority in museums.
• Designed balanced visual layouts for human-authored and AI-generated content to minimize visual cues that could influence visitors’ authorship judgments.

UX research and design · Fundamentals of User Experience group course project

University of Toronto

• Conducted user interviews (n=2) and usability testing (n=3) to inform an app concept integrating task management and calendar scheduling.
• Led team ideation and Figma wireframing, translating research findings into prioritised features, user flows, and interface refinements.

Steamoji

Richmond Hill, ON

• Facilitated hands-on STEAM projects in 3D printing, laser cutting, and programming for young learners in a gamified environment.
• Provided individualised guidance to support problem-solving, collaboration, and project completion; maintained workshop equipment and promoted safe tool use.

LongYuxuan Tea Boutique

Taiyuan, China

• Redesigned visual branding and promotional materials using Adobe Creative Suite, incorporating client feedback from concept through final refinement.