After graduating from Rutgers University with a BS in Computer Science, Gene co-founded Element 8 Designs, a design firm based in New Jersey. For the next two years, he learned firsthand the ins and outs of handling clients from both an entrepreneur’s and a designer’s point of view. Two years later, Gene left Element 8 Designs to pursue a web design position at Penton Media, where he sought to work in a more corporate environment under a creative director. At Penton, he helped push the envelope on design and user experience in the B2B industry. Three years later, Gene is making the switch yet again from full-time cubicle dweller to full-time studio resident at SVA as a MFA student in Interaction Design.

During his free time, Gene enjoys writing about improving design around the city and moonlighting as a photographer at genelu.com. He’s also a big fan of Rock Band (xBox360), karaoke, exploring NYC, anime, doodling on whiteboards, and coffee.

Past Life

BS in Computer Science from Rutgers University

Selected Projects

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  Designing Local Currency

  Students were assigned the task of designing their own local currency.

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  Physical Computing Final

  Students were asked to devise a project that would allow them to use a semester’s knowledge about physical computing.

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  Information Visualization

  Students were asked to visualize a section within the permanent collection at MoMA or the Met. Or, they may visualize a single sporting event or season. Or, a personal collection of their choosing.

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  NYC BigApps

  Students were asked to concept a mobile application using at least one source of data from the NYC.gov Data Mine.

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  Interactive User Experience on The High Line

  Students were asked to create a networked, mobile or interactive installation that enhances or extends the experience of the High Line park in NYC.

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  In Transit

  For their final projects, students were asked to identify a problem within New York City’s subway system.

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  Physical Computing Midterm

  Students were asked to design a new solution for an existing problem.

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  Public Interfaces Final

  Students had the task to critically examine interaction design for public spaces.

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  Prototyping User Experiences/Research Methods Final

  Students created prototypes based on the theme of augmented mindfulness.