Trista Tu, User-centric Advocate & Trained Strategic Collaborator

The image featured at the top of the about us page #1

Supported global users

Years in product design

Delivered end-to-end product features

My Voyage

The image featured at the top of the about us page #2

My design roots trace back to my father’s small print studio, where I grew up surrounded by color swatches, type books, and the quiet discipline of craft. That early exposure shaped how I think today—seeing systems in everything, understanding how clarity builds trust, and noticing how small details guide how people feel.

Now, I design at the intersection of complex systems and real human needs. Across automotive, fintech, and enterprise software, I’ve built experiences that balance speed, safety, and scale—especially in messy, ambiguous spaces where ideas are still forming. That’s the part I love most: turning uncertainty into something clear, purposeful, and usable.

As AI changes the way people interact with technology, I’m focused on creating experiences that stay human—interpretable, emotionally grounded, and adaptable over time. At the end of the day, I believe systems work best when people feel supported, understood, and empowered by them.

Outside of work, I enjoy exploring local coffee, immersing myself in music, experimenting with emerging technologies, and playing badminton around the Bay. Anything that challenges my assumptions and sparks my curiosity gives me energy.

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Mentoring

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Testimonials

I’ve worked closely with Trista, and she quickly stood out for her strong UX sensibility and deep understanding of user needs. I was particularly impressed by the way she collaborated with interior designers, seamlessly integrating 3D interfaces into the vehicle interior and exploring innovative ways to embed interactivity into natural materials. Rather than relying on generic productivity tropes, Trista brought nuance and empathy into city mobility UX design, consistently grounding her decisions in real human driving behaviors rather than superficial archetypes.

Morten

UX Design Lead, Volkswagen

I’ve worked closely with Trista, and she quickly stood out for her strong UX sensibility and deep understanding of user needs. I was particularly impressed by the way she collaborated with interior designers, seamlessly integrating 3D interfaces into the vehicle interior and exploring innovative ways to embed interactivity into natural materials. Rather than relying on generic productivity tropes, Trista brought nuance and empathy into city mobility UX design, consistently grounding her decisions in real human driving behaviors rather than superficial archetypes.

Morten

UX Design Lead, Volkswagen

I’ve worked closely with Trista, and she quickly stood out for her strong UX sensibility and deep understanding of user needs. I was particularly impressed by the way she collaborated with interior designers, seamlessly integrating 3D interfaces into the vehicle interior and exploring innovative ways to embed interactivity into natural materials. Rather than relying on generic productivity tropes, Trista brought nuance and empathy into city mobility UX design, consistently grounding her decisions in real human driving behaviors rather than superficial archetypes.

Morten

UX Design Lead, Volkswagen

Trista is a talented and adaptable Product Designer. Trista showed keen insight in designing for in-car and mobility experiences. She worked closely with product managers, industrial designers, and engineers, often helping align the team around clear UX principles and translating complex constraints into actionable design directions. She absorbs feedback quickly, adapts with maturity, and consistently elevates the work of the people around her. Her contributions were key to shaping one of the most compelling near-future autonomous vehicle concepts.

Micki

Product Designer, Volkswagen

Trista is a talented and adaptable Product Designer. Trista showed keen insight in designing for in-car and mobility experiences. She worked closely with product managers, industrial designers, and engineers, often helping align the team around clear UX principles and translating complex constraints into actionable design directions. She absorbs feedback quickly, adapts with maturity, and consistently elevates the work of the people around her. Her contributions were key to shaping one of the most compelling near-future autonomous vehicle concepts.

Micki

Product Designer, Volkswagen

Trista is a talented and adaptable Product Designer. Trista showed keen insight in designing for in-car and mobility experiences. She worked closely with product managers, industrial designers, and engineers, often helping align the team around clear UX principles and translating complex constraints into actionable design directions. She absorbs feedback quickly, adapts with maturity, and consistently elevates the work of the people around her. Her contributions were key to shaping one of the most compelling near-future autonomous vehicle concepts.

Micki

Product Designer, Volkswagen

I found her to be a self-motivator on individual assignments and a leader on team projects. Trista has a strong instinct for design innovation and strategy. She leads effectively in team settings, absorbs feedback with maturity, and elevates the work through thoughtful execution. I consistently saw her take ownership of team tasks while also guiding team projects with clarity and collaboration. Her positive energy, curiosity, and proactive attitude made her a pleasure to work with, and I’m confident these strengths will carry her far in any creative environment.

Terry

Program Manager, Young & Hungry Agency

I found her to be a self-motivator on individual assignments and a leader on team projects. Trista has a strong instinct for design innovation and strategy. She leads effectively in team settings, absorbs feedback with maturity, and elevates the work through thoughtful execution. I consistently saw her take ownership of team tasks while also guiding team projects with clarity and collaboration. Her positive energy, curiosity, and proactive attitude made her a pleasure to work with, and I’m confident these strengths will carry her far in any creative environment.

Terry

Program Manager, Young & Hungry Agency

I found her to be a self-motivator on individual assignments and a leader on team projects. Trista has a strong instinct for design innovation and strategy. She leads effectively in team settings, absorbs feedback with maturity, and elevates the work through thoughtful execution. I consistently saw her take ownership of team tasks while also guiding team projects with clarity and collaboration. Her positive energy, curiosity, and proactive attitude made her a pleasure to work with, and I’m confident these strengths will carry her far in any creative environment.

Terry

Program Manager, Young & Hungry Agency

What I Bring
to the Table

What I'm Known For

User Research

I design AI explainability and trust interactions that pair model intelligence with human judgment, shaping AI as a force for transparency, confidence, and responsible decision-making.

Storytelling

I frame product stories around user needs and experiences, placing emphasis on their journeys to ensure solutions remain empathetic and impactful.

Product Strategy

I align product vision with user and business goals, framing design as a driver of clarity, scalability, and long-term impact.

Human–AI Interaction Design

I focus on designing intelligence workflows that adapts to people, supports their intent, and integrates seamlessly into real-world decision-making.

Motion & Animation

I use motion as a storytelling tool, clarifying hierarchy, guiding focus, and adding just enough life to the experiences to make it feel intuitive, never distracting.

Development Specs

I deliver precise, scalable specifications and documentation that bridge design intent with engineering realities for smooth implementation.

UX Workshop Facilitation

I create collaborative spaces where stakeholders co-define scope and explore validation solutions, ensuring alignment and shared ownership.

User Research

I design AI explainability and trust interactions that pair model intelligence with human judgment, shaping AI as a force for transparency, confidence, and responsible decision-making.

Storytelling

I frame product stories around user needs and experiences, placing emphasis on their journeys to ensure solutions remain empathetic and impactful.

Product Strategy

I align product vision with user and business goals, framing design as a driver of clarity, scalability, and long-term impact.

Human–AI Interaction Design

I focus on designing intelligence workflows that adapts to people, supports their intent, and integrates seamlessly into real-world decision-making.

Motion & Animation

I use motion as a storytelling tool, clarifying hierarchy, guiding focus, and adding just enough life to the experiences to make it feel intuitive, never distracting.

Development Specs

I deliver precise, scalable specifications and documentation that bridge design intent with engineering realities for smooth implementation.

UX Workshop Facilitation

I create collaborative spaces where stakeholders co-define scope and explore validation solutions, ensuring alignment and shared ownership.

User Research

I design AI explainability and trust interactions that pair model intelligence with human judgment, shaping AI as a force for transparency, confidence, and responsible decision-making.

Storytelling

I frame product stories around user needs and experiences, placing emphasis on their journeys to ensure solutions remain empathetic and impactful.

Product Strategy

I align product vision with user and business goals, framing design as a driver of clarity, scalability, and long-term impact.

Human–AI Interaction Design

I focus on designing intelligence workflows that adapts to people, supports their intent, and integrates seamlessly into real-world decision-making.

Motion & Animation

I use motion as a storytelling tool, clarifying hierarchy, guiding focus, and adding just enough life to the experiences to make it feel intuitive, never distracting.

Development Specs

I deliver precise, scalable specifications and documentation that bridge design intent with engineering realities for smooth implementation.

UX Workshop Facilitation

I create collaborative spaces where stakeholders co-define scope and explore validation solutions, ensuring alignment and shared ownership.

Trista Tu, User-centric Advocate & Trained Strategic Collaborator

Trista Tu, User-centric Advocate & Trained Strategic Collaborator

Trista Tu, User-centric Advocate & Trained Strategic Collaborator

Supported global users

Supported global users

Years in product design

Years in product design

Delivered end-to-end product features

Delivered end-to-end product features

My Voyage

As AI changes the way people interact with technology, I’m focused on creating experiences that stay human—interpretable, emotionally grounded, and adaptable over time. At the end of the day, I believe systems work best when people feel supported, understood, and empowered by them.

Outside of work, I enjoy exploring local coffee, immersing myself in music, experimenting with emerging technologies, and playing badminton around the Bay. Anything that challenges my assumptions and sparks my curiosity gives me energy.

Mentoring

Scroll to see more ;)

Testimonials

Morten

UX Design Lead, Volkswagen

Morten

UX Design Lead, Volkswagen

Morten

UX Design Lead, Volkswagen

Micki

Product Designer, Volkswagen

Micki

Product Designer, Volkswagen

Micki

Product Designer, Volkswagen

Terry

Program Manager, Young & Hungry Agency

Terry

Program Manager, Young & Hungry Agency

Terry

Program Manager, Young & Hungry Agency

What I Bring to the Table

What I'm Known For

User Research

I design AI explainability and trust interactions that pair model intelligence with human judgment, shaping AI as a force for transparency, confidence, and responsible decision-making.

Storytelling

I frame product stories around user needs and experiences, placing emphasis on their journeys to ensure solutions remain empathetic and impactful.

Product Strategy

I align product vision with user and business goals, framing design as a driver of clarity, scalability, and long-term impact.

Human–AI Interaction Design

I focus on designing intelligence workflows that adapts to people, supports their intent, and integrates seamlessly into real-world decision-making.

Motion & Animation

I use motion as a storytelling tool, clarifying hierarchy, guiding focus, and adding just enough life to the experiences to make it feel intuitive, never distracting.

Development Specs

I deliver precise, scalable specifications and documentation that bridge design intent with engineering realities for smooth implementation.

UX Workshop Facilitation

I create collaborative spaces where stakeholders co-define scope and explore validation solutions, ensuring alignment and shared ownership.

User Research

I design AI explainability and trust interactions that pair model intelligence with human judgment, shaping AI as a force for transparency, confidence, and responsible decision-making.

Storytelling

I frame product stories around user needs and experiences, placing emphasis on their journeys to ensure solutions remain empathetic and impactful.

Product Strategy

I align product vision with user and business goals, framing design as a driver of clarity, scalability, and long-term impact.

Human–AI Interaction Design

I focus on designing intelligence workflows that adapts to people, supports their intent, and integrates seamlessly into real-world decision-making.

Motion & Animation

I use motion as a storytelling tool, clarifying hierarchy, guiding focus, and adding just enough life to the experiences to make it feel intuitive, never distracting.

Development Specs

I deliver precise, scalable specifications and documentation that bridge design intent with engineering realities for smooth implementation.

UX Workshop Facilitation

I create collaborative spaces where stakeholders co-define scope and explore validation solutions, ensuring alignment and shared ownership.

User Research

I design AI explainability and trust interactions that pair model intelligence with human judgment, shaping AI as a force for transparency, confidence, and responsible decision-making.

Storytelling

I frame product stories around user needs and experiences, placing emphasis on their journeys to ensure solutions remain empathetic and impactful.

Product Strategy

I align product vision with user and business goals, framing design as a driver of clarity, scalability, and long-term impact.

Human–AI Interaction Design

I focus on designing intelligence workflows that adapts to people, supports their intent, and integrates seamlessly into real-world decision-making.

Motion & Animation

I use motion as a storytelling tool, clarifying hierarchy, guiding focus, and adding just enough life to the experiences to make it feel intuitive, never distracting.

Development Specs

I deliver precise, scalable specifications and documentation that bridge design intent with engineering realities for smooth implementation.

UX Workshop Facilitation

I create collaborative spaces where stakeholders co-define scope and explore validation solutions, ensuring alignment and shared ownership.

What I Bring
to the Table