Runa Yu🇺🇸

About Runa Yu

Senior Product Designer at Target

Hi, I’m Runa, a Senior Product Designer at Target, where I design AI-powered shopping experiences that make product discovery more intuitive and meaningful. My work explores how emerging technologies can create human-centered retail journeys through personalization, conversational agents, and multimodal interactions.

I’ve worked in both large companies and startups, including Alibaba Group and Ambrus Studio, leading end-to-end design across CRM platforms, learning systems, and interactive games. I also served as a Research Assistant at Carnegie Mellon University’s Machine Learning Department, connecting design with behavioral science and AI research.

As a mentor, I enjoy helping designers craft their own career stories and integrate them into their portfolios, resumes, and interview strategies. I believe every designer is unique, and I focus on helping you discover what makes your path stand out—with confidence, clarity, and purpose.

Expertise

Sessions with Runa Yu

• Coffee Chat: Design, Career & Anything in Between (30 min): Let’s have an open and relaxed conversation: feel free to bring any questions or thoughts about design, career growth, studying, switching paths, or even just life in general. Whether you’re exploring UX, thinking about transitioning roles, looking for perspective, or want to connect with another designer, I’m happy to chat. No agenda needed. Just show up with curiosity (and maybe a cup of coffee)!

What mentees say

“Runa was really thoughtful and approachable. She generously shared her own experiences and practical strategies that I can actually apply to my own work. I learned a lot from our conversation and would definitely recommend booking a session with her!”

“I am incredibly grateful for the guidance I received from Runa. She took the time to carefully review my questions and notes, sharing her own experienced approach to help me sharpen my interview skills. Thanks to her insights, I now know so much better how to highlight my experience and strengths effectively.”

“Runa is an exceptional mentor who truly understands how to guide her mentees. Her amazing communication skills and profound subject knowledge helped me navigate my career path, even though our industries differ. Runa's motivation and problem-solving abilities were invaluable in reigniting my passion and direction. I wholeheartedly recommend booking a”