Ashton Z. Shu

Ashton Z. Shu

Also known as Zhengshen Shu.

Portrait of Ashton Z. Shu

I’m a designer and a community builder exploring how AI and human creativity can learn from each other.

My path into design wasn’t linear — I started in electrical engineering and later worked in hospital operations, where I learned how systems, people, and details connect. That mindset still shapes how I think about design today.

Now, I’m growing as a graphic designer in Canada and helping build Superlinear Academy, a creative AI community that encourages people not just to use AI tools, but to think and create with them. We focus on building habits and mindsets that strengthen both logic and intuition.

Outside of work, I’m drawn to things that explore feeling and form — from typography and visual storytelling to sensory design, mixology, and even Tarot.

I believe good design, like good conversation, helps people see things differently. It also applies to AI — the more thoughtful the dialogue, the more meaningful the outcome.

Résumé

Experience

  • UI/UX Designer (contract), Cambrian College Research & Development

    Sudbury · Apr to Sep 2026

    Designed the multi-agent interface and the design system for a client project.

  • Illustrator and Graphic Designer, MX Studio

    Remote · 2024 to present

    Brand system upgrade for Superlinear Academy (2026). Streaming assets, character concepts and key visuals for Streamers Projects (2025 to 2026). A poster for a Japanese bistro (2024).

  • Community Growth Operations, Superlinear Academy

    Remote · Feb 2025 to present

    Write and publish a weekly newsletter, driving 10% re-engagement, and answer technical and workflow questions for a global AI community.

  • RGD Designathon, hack4change, Civic Tech Moncton

    Toronto · Nov 2025

    Logo concept exploration and promotional cards, in a team of five designers over two days.

  • Electrical Engineer, Union Hospital

    Wuhan, China · 2018 to 2023

    Cut the hospital's electricity use by 20% through infrastructure optimization, about CAD $3.2M a year.

Education

  • Advanced Diploma, Graphic Design, Cambrian College

    Sudbury · expected Apr 2027

  • M.S., Electrical Engineering, University of Michigan-Dearborn

    2018

  • B.S., Electrical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology

    2016

Skills

Design
Visual identity, campaign design, UX and UI, character design, digital illustration
Tools
Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Clip Studio Paint
Technical
AI-assisted design workflow, front-end prototyping, data analysis

Awards and leadership

  • Second place, Red Team DefTech Hackathon, Ottawa, 2026
  • RGD Student Committee member, 2025 to 2026