I'm Zhechen (Leon) Zhao, designer-engineer with a passion for HCI and product design. I'm currently pursuing a Pre-Doctoral MS CS at UChicago. My interests include ubiquitous computing, haptics, tangible interaction, and fabrication. Previously, I focused on interaction design and animation.
I'm Zhechen (Leon) Zhao, designer-engineer with a passion for HCI and product design. I'm currently pursuing a Pre-Doctoral MS CS at UChicago. My interests include ubiquitous computing, haptics, tangible interaction, and fabrication. Previously, I focused on interaction design and animation.
I'm Zhechen (Leon) Zhao, designer-engineer with a passion for HCI and product design. I'm currently pursuing a Pre-Doctoral MS CS at UChicago. My interests include ubiquitous computing, haptics, tangible interaction, and fabrication. Previously, I focused on interaction design and animation.
I'm Zhechen (Leon) Zhao, designer-engineer with a passion for HCI and product design. I'm currently pursuing a Pre-Doctoral MS CS at UChicago. My interests include ubiquitous computing, haptics, tangible interaction, and fabrication. Previously, I focused on interaction design and animation.
Research
Circuit2Yarn: From Planar Circuits to Electronic Yarns for Textile-Based Interactions
Circuit2Yarn: From Planar Circuits to Electronic Yarns for Textile-Based Interactions
Circuit2Yarn: From Planar Circuits to Electronic Yarns for Textile-Based Interactions
Zhechen Zhao, Jingyi Liu, Tianhong Catherine Yu, Jiaqing Liu, Zeyu Yan, Huaishu Peng, Yiyue Luo, Zhihan Zhang, Tingyu Cheng
Zhechen Zhao, Jingyi Liu, Tianhong Catherine Yu, Jiaqing Liu, Zeyu Yan, Huaishu Peng, Yiyue Luo, Zhihan Zhang, Tingyu Cheng
Zhechen Zhao, Jingyi Liu, Tianhong Catherine Yu, Jiaqing Liu, Zeyu Yan, Huaishu Peng, Yiyue Luo, Zhihan Zhang, Tingyu Cheng
CHI 2026
CHI 2026
CHI 2026
Recent Projects
Fingerboard PCB
A sensor-packed, WiFi-connected skateboard-shaped PCB that detects tricks in real time.
Actuated Clothes Hanger
A shape-changing clothes hanger that reacts to how much attention you give your clothes.
Undergraduate Projects
Before 2025
[Haptics] [HCI]
[Haptics] [HCI]
A kinesthetic haptic feedback device simulating cutting and tearing.
A kinesthetic haptic feedback device simulating cutting and tearing.
[AR] [UI/UX]
[AR] [UI/UX]
An AR app that helps you navigate WashU's campus.
An AR app that helps you navigate WashU's campus.
[UI/UX] [Design-a-thon]
[UI/UX] [Design-a-thon]
A mobile app that encourages a healthy lifestyle by helping travelers pack less stressfully.
A mobile app that encourages a healthy lifestyle by helping travelers pack less stressfully.
[VR] [Generative AI]
[VR] [Generative AI]
An immersive art history learning experience powered by generative AI.
An immersive art history learning experience powered by generative AI.
[MR] [Hand-Tracking]
[MR] [Hand-Tracking]
A kid-friendly MR experience teaching crop care, fostering connections to food origins.
A kid-friendly MR experience teaching crop care, fostering connections to food origins.
[Website] [Branding]
[Website] [Branding]
New website design and rebrand for WashU Robotics.
New website design and rebrand for WashU Robotics.
Denim Jacket
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ViBreathe (Haptic Textile)
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Nirvana
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Bamboo Hairpin
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Jellyfish in the Clouds
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The Blue Diamond Caper
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Interior Rendering
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Kaleidoscope
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Mission Xmas
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Toon-Shaded Living Room
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Summer Pool + Robot
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Holding My String MV
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Motorways (CSS Typeface)
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Trompe-l'oeil
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Jungle Fox 2D Platformer
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Senior Arbiter of Fate
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Denim Jacket
View →
ViBreathe (Haptic Textile)
View →
Nirvana
View →
Bamboo Hairpin
View →
Jellyfish in the Clouds
View →
The Blue Diamond Caper
View →
Interior Rendering
View →
Kaleidoscope
View →
Mission Xmas
View →
Toon-Shaded Living Room
View →
Summer Pool + Robot
View →
Holding My String MV
View →
Motorways (CSS Typeface)
View →
Trompe-l'oeil
View →
Jungle Fox 2D Platformer
View →
Senior Arbiter of Fate
View →
Denim Jacket
View →
ViBreathe (Haptic Textile)
View →
Nirvana
View →
Bamboo Hairpin
View →
Jellyfish in the Clouds
View →
The Blue Diamond Caper
View →
Interior Rendering
View →
Kaleidoscope
View →
Mission Xmas
View →
Toon-Shaded Living Room
View →
Summer Pool + Robot
View →
Holding My String MV
View →
Motorways (CSS Typeface)
View →
Trompe-l'oeil
View →
Jungle Fox 2D Platformer
View →
Senior Arbiter of Fate
View →
Denim Jacket
View →
ViBreathe (Haptic Textile)
View →
Nirvana
View →
Bamboo Hairpin
View →
Jellyfish in the Clouds
View →
The Blue Diamond Caper
View →
Interior Rendering
View →
Kaleidoscope
View →
Mission Xmas
View →
Toon-Shaded Living Room
View →
Summer Pool + Robot
View →
Holding My String MV
View →
Motorways (CSS Typeface)
View →
Trompe-l'oeil
View →
Jungle Fox 2D Platformer
View →
Senior Arbiter of Fate
View →