PORTFOLIO
About Me
I’m Yichi Zhang, an interdisciplinary designer and researcher exploring how the design of virtual environments shapes the way people perceive, think, feel, and engage.
Currently, I am a PhD student in Interdisciplinary Design and Media at Northeastern University, working with the Playful Mind Lab and the Games for Life initiative.
With a background spanning architecture, game design, and human-computer interaction, my work investigates the possibilities that emerge at the intersection of environmental design, cognition, and XR.
My Keywords:
Game Design, Environmental Design, HCI, VR/XR Intervention,
Immersive Experience, Serious Game, Learning, Cognitive Science

My Projects
Master thesis, researching on environmental stress, player engagement and performance in VR.
Apr.2024
A gamified VR intervention integrating aerobic excise and cognition training for elder adults.
Aug.2023
Stage 1 of PhD Dissertation, researching on the design of environment in relation to VR experiences.
In Progess
A gamified experiment about the existence of psychology concepts in immersive virtual world.
Mar.2022
3D Puzzle Game with Themes of Psychology, Dream and Subconscious
Explore the mysteries of dreams.
Dec.2022
A concept game design based on real history
Open the story book of the Bund, Shanghai.
Oct.2021
A mental health serious game concept design
Get ready, memory traveler.
Sept.2021
2D Platformer with Themes of Discovery, Adventure and
Culture
Find your 'Roots'.
Feb.2023
An educational serious game concept design
An architect dream-come-true for children.
Nov.2021
A psychology board game concept design
Are we still friends?
Dec.2021
A civic center at Westport, WA, where it's under the threaten of sea-level rises. Integrating a VES structure, open market, a terrace cafe, and a seafood restaurant.
Sept.-Dec.2020
A playful early-age care center in New York.
Mar.-Jun.2021
A traditional Japanese Washi paper mill at Ballard, Seattle. Including functional spaces for preparing, forming and finishing.
Mar.-Jun.2020
A wired old bedroom with a series of unreasonable things.
2023
A lights-off museum that was just stolen.
A floating road in a magical world.
2023
A cartoon low-poly gothic church with interactable NPC.
2023
2023
A suddenly abandoned space station.
2023


















