Yiying Lu
You might not know Yiying Lu's name, but you've probably seen her work. She created the Twitter Fail Whale and designed emojis like the dumpling 🥟, chopsticks 🥢, takeout box 🥡, fortune cookie 🥠, and bubble tea 🧋 that millions of us use every day.
Born in Shanghai, educated in Sydney and London, Yiying now works from San Francisco where she helps global companies like Disney, Apple, Adobe, and Microsoft design things that make sense across different cultures. It's tricky work — how do you create something that resonates in Beijing and Berlin, Tokyo and Texas?
Yiying believes design can bring people together, even when we don't speak the same language. Through her talks at TEDx, SXSW, and Adobe MAX, she shares what she's learned about creating symbols and experiences that connect us all.
Twitter Fail Whale, Dumpling 🥟 & Boba 🧋 Emojis and the meaning of Life!
From creating the iconic Twitter Fail Whale to designing the dumpling emoji 🥟 now on billions of phones worldwide, Yiying Lu's work has touched millions across cultures and languages.
In this personal and uplifting talk, Yiying explores the intersection of art, technology, and cross-cultural communication. She'll share the stories behind her most iconic creations, revealing how thoughtful design can bridge cultural divides, convey universal emotions, and foster global connections.
Through her journey from Shanghai to Sydney to San Francisco, Yiying demonstrates the power of understanding cultural symbols and how design can transcend language barriers to unite people worldwide.
- On the web
- https://www.yiyinglu.com/
- On LinkedIn
- yiyinglu