Shaobo Liu
Projects
About
News
Projects
About
News
Shaobo Liu. 
(+1) 717-668-6611 | shaoboliu311@gmail.com | LinkedIn
EDUCATION
Rhode Island School of Design
Master of Industrial Design (2yr Program) STEM
The Pennsylvania State University
Bachelor of Fine Art
EXPERIENCE
COCO AVA—Entrepreneurship + Graphic design—Providence
● Pioneered a startup to introduce Chinese pastry to the Providence market, an underserved area for this type of cuisine, collaborating with alumni at JWU, nationally recognized for its pastry program.
● Developed a comprehensive business plan and participated in product testing, working closely with a RISD business professor and a local non-profit organization, Hope&Main, to refine and develop the concept. Led graphic design efforts, creating branding materials, packaging, and marketing collateral that resonated with the local community.
● Invited over 30 random people to user test and gain feedback from them. Developed and implemented strategic plans to maintain sales momentum during slow periods. This included conducting visual merchandising adjustments such as updating posters, creating promotional displays during special occasions, and introducing new flavors and products to boost sales during off-peak times. By analyzing sales trends and implementing targeted marketing strategies, I optimized revenue and ensured consistent sales performance throughout the year.
Calligaris—Interior design consultant—New York City
● Designed and presented 3D visualizations for over 87% of clients using advanced modeling and interior design software. Led the design of high-profile dining spaces, including a dining area for the MET and Michelin-starred restaurants, creating interactive and functional environments tailored to daily routines.
● Collaborated with 30+ registered designers, gaining insights into diverse design approaches, material applications, and client engagement strategies. Observed and applied best practices in space planning, product selection, and color coordination while refining my design perspective. Learned to integrate feedback effectively, enhancing technical skills in rendering, presentation, and project execution.
● Designed and launched websites for three furniture brands represented by the company, enabling online sales for 92% of their stocked product collections. Implemented digital strategies to increase stocked and discontinued goods sales, effectively solving overstock challenges during the pandemic. Collaborated with the team to drive website traffic through targeted social media campaigns. The websites remain in active use, continuing to support sales and brand growth.
Sun YAT-Sen University—Special Research leader—China
● Assisted in developing an improved teaching system for children with intellectual disabilities, contributing to refining strategies to support learning.
● Designed and prepared questionnaires and print media, streamlining the research process and ensuring efficient follow-up data collection.
● Led a team of four, overseeing the creation and quality assurance of questionnaires and individual tests. Facilitated clear communication between the team and supervisor to ensure timely and accurate deliverables.
● Contributed to the research's success, which was highly praised by the professor and led to meaningful institutional findings, including on-site investigations, visitations, and background checks.
Uniqlo—Salesfloor design and Visual Merchandising—China
● Designed and implemented engaging sales floor layouts and product displays to enhance customer experience and drive sales. Collaborated with the sales team to optimize floor space utilization and improve product visibility. This method is still used and adopted by the other 3 branches.
● Attended all review cases for two months to expand publicity and introduce new products. Brought over 90 new clients every week to experience and give feedback on the product.
● Created visually appealing merchandising strategies that effectively showcased products and promoted brand identity. Helped organize the U series, and the sales increased by 26% after the first week.
ACHIEVEMENTS
• 2025 - Elements - RISD Biennial Exhibition (Scendure), Sol Koffler Gallery
• 2024 - 2025 - Recipient; RISD scholarship
• 2023 - Recipient; A’Design award & Competition winner, (Resolution Lounge Chair)
• 2022 - Recipient; Kara Bergen Memorial Scholarship top prize
• 2022 - Recipient; Anderson Ranch Arts Center Scholarship Award
• 2021 - 2022 - “Inside the Frame” exhibition (Sculpture), HUB-Robeson Gallery
• 2020 - 2021 - Dean’s List at Penn State (2 Fall semesters, one Spring semester)
• 2019 - Cover image, “Any Other World” magazine
SKILLS
• Design Skills: Project Management, Team Collaboration, Creative Thinking, Problem Solving, Design Strategy, User Research, Human Factors, Design Visualization, Rapid Prototyping, Storytelling.
• Physical skills: CNC, 3D printing (Plastic & Clay), Woodworking, Metalworking, Laser cutting, Ceramic making (molding, wheel throwing, firing kilns, etc.), Biomaterial.
• Software skills: Blender, Rhino, Solidwork, Fusion 360, Revit, Cinema 4D, Figma, Website design, Rendering (Keyshot), Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Indesign, Illustrator, Aftereffect), UI/UX Flow.
• Spatial design: Interior design.
• Language: English (Professional), Chinese (Native)
• Communication / Teamwork: Asana, Miro, Notion
Sep 2023 - May 2025
Providence, RI
Aug 2018 - May 2022
University Park, PA
Oct 2023 - Nov 2024
University Park, PA
Oct 2023 - Nov 2024
Aug 2022 - Aug 2023
May 2020 - Sep 2021
Oct 2019 - Jan 2020