About

Design Philosophy

Design is a way of seeing, and research, a way of being. Together, they shape design research as a force for meaningful change—one that builds and sustains people, organisations, and ecosystems. To make progress, we often need to let go of processes and mindsets that no longer serve us. But change is hard; and this is where design steps in: to make change pleasurable, not by removing effort, but by understanding the hidden drivers of human behaviour and creating pathways that feel worthwhile.

Good design, however, does not stop at behaviour. Every interaction leaves a ripple, an intangible impact that shapes how we experience ourselves, one another, and the world. We live within interconnected systems, where design must bridge people, places, and environments. When we craft experiences that are delightful, meaningful, and intentional, we create ripples of positive change that flow outward. As within, so without.

Designer's Background

Ysanne is a systems-minded designer passionate about tackling complex, human-centered challenges. She first explored design hands-on as part of the pioneer cohort at Singapore’s School of the Arts (2010-2015), receiving the Ngee Ann Kongsi Scholarship throughout her studies. She later earned a full scholarship to pursue Industrial Design at the National University of Singapore (Class of 2020).

Her experience is uniquely interdisciplinary, combining design, business, and strategy. Through the NUS Overseas College Program, she spent a year in Stockholm working at a pre-Series A machine learning start-up, gaining firsthand experience in 0 -> 1 product development and collaborating closely with the CEO and CTO to scale the company to San Francisco.

Ysanne is driven by a passion for social impact and organisational innovation. At Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB), she advocated for user needs in digital product design, working in agile, cross-functional teams with engineers and product managers. As part of EDB’s first in-house design team, she co-initiated a Design Thinking Training course to promote product innovation and team alignment.

She integrates design with other disciplines to bridge science, society, and innovation. Pursuing a Master’s Degree in Systems Design and Management at Keio University (under the MEXT Scholarship), she explored the upstream role of design in strategy and systems thinking. Presenting models for design-driven wellbeing on international stages, she sparked collaboration between engineers, researchers, and academics. Concurrently, as a researcher with the University of Tokyo’s DLX Design Lab, she conducted futurespective workshops and demonstrated how design-led innovation can connect complex research to societal impact.

Ysanne thrives at the intersection of people, systems, and design. Equipped with translatable skills across industries, she excels in understanding human complexities, aligning diverse stakeholders, and tailoring design approaches to address unique, systemic challenges.

Core Skills

Systems Approach
Design Synthesis
Design Education
Workshop Facilitation
Project, People, Process Management
Wellbeing and Human Advocacy

Interests

Holistic Wellbeing
Eastern Traditional Wisdom
Philosophy and Phenomenology
Environments, Relationships, Behaviour
Food and Health (Project Zucchini Bakery)

Academic Roles

2024 Oct ~ Present
Project Researcher at the University of Tokyo, College of Design, facilitating curriculum design and recruitment.

2024 Apr ~ Present
Participating member of University of Tokyo Memu Earth Lab activities, based in Obihiro, Hokkaido

2023 Oct ~ Present
Design Project Researcher at the University of Tokyo DLX Design Lab

2024 Sep~ Present, PhD Candidate
2022 Sep - 2024 Sep Master's Student
Member of Holistic Being Design Lab at Keio University, System Design and Management.

Academic Contributions

2024
Y. Yeo and M. Niitsuma., Reframing the Role of Behavioural Interventions: Dominant Views and New Directions, ISTE Transdisciplinary Engineering Conference, July 9 – 11, 2024, UCL East, London. DOI
10.3233/ATDE240962

Y. Yeo and M. Niitsuma., Proposal of An Integral Model of Human-Food Interaction: Insights for Social Systems Design, International Journal of Agile Systems Management (IJASM), Vol. 17(5), 2024, DOI: 10.1504/IJASM.2024.10065834

2023
Y. Yeo and M. Niitsuma., Developing the System Model of Human Behaviour and Its Implications on Social Systems Design, ISTE Transdisciplinary Engineering Conference, July 11 – 14, 2023, Hua Hin, Thailand.
DOI: 10.3233/ATDE230651
LinkedIn post

Y. Yeo and M. Niitsuma., A Primer on the Integral Viewpoint of a Human to Facilitate Human-Centred Innovation,ISTE Transdisciplinary Engineering Conference, July 11 – 14, 2023, Hua Hin, Thailand.

Certifications

2022 Dec JLPT N2
2021 Dec 200H Yoga Teacher Training, by Yoga+ Singapore
2021 Jul Storytelling for Leaders by All Lined Up, Coaching Tigers
2021 Mar Facilitating Powerful Conversations L1, by The Thought Collective Common Ground
2021 Mar Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Institute of Integrative Nutrition

Awards

2024 Sep Keio SDM Award of Highest Honors
2022 Aug MEXT Scholarship (University Recommendation), Keio SDM
2020 Jun   Dean's List, Division of Industrial Design, NUS
2019 Nov   The James Dyson Award National Runner Up (Project: Electro)
2019 Mar SustHack Winner, Sustainability Innocenter, Uppsala, Sweden
2016 Aug    NUS Global Merit Scholarship, 2016 - 2020
2016 Jan IBDP Excellence Award, Year 6, SOTA
2015 Jan Excellence Award, Year 5, SOTA
2014 Jan Ngee Ann Kongsi Scholarship (2014 - 2015)
2010 Jan Ngee Ann Kongsi Scholarship (2010 - 2012)

Active on: LinkedIn

Exhibitions

2015 Dec 3-27 Visual Arts (VA) Graduation Exhibition
2014-2015 Oct Allen & Overy LLP Artworks Showcase
2014 Feb 13 Chinese New Year (CNY) Moments Photography
2013-2014 Oct Ashurst LLP Artworks Showcase
2013 May Encapsulations VA Year 3&4 Exhibition
2012-2013 Apr Allen & Overy LLP Artworks Showcase

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