Hi! I’m Yiran Zhang (Annie), a Master of Science student in Game Design and Development at RIT, excited about building engaging interactive media and software experiences. I’m actively seeking full-time or co-op opportunities and am available to start immediately. I excel in teamwork, rapid prototyping, and communicating ideas clearly to both technical and creative teammates. I have hands-on experience in game design, level design, art direction, and gameplay systems across university projects and industry collaborations, including VR co-op puzzle mechanics and space-themed tutorials. I love crafting polished experiences that invite players to explore, collaborate, and discover narratives.

Yiran Zhang

Hi! I’m Yiran Zhang (Annie), a Master of Science student in Game Design and Development at RIT, excited about building engaging interactive media and software experiences. I’m actively seeking full-time or co-op opportunities and am available to start immediately. I excel in teamwork, rapid prototyping, and communicating ideas clearly to both technical and creative teammates. I have hands-on experience in game design, level design, art direction, and gameplay systems across university projects and industry collaborations, including VR co-op puzzle mechanics and space-themed tutorials. I love crafting polished experiences that invite players to explore, collaborate, and discover narratives.

Available to hire

Hi! I’m Yiran Zhang (Annie), a Master of Science student in Game Design and Development at RIT, excited about building engaging interactive media and software experiences. I’m actively seeking full-time or co-op opportunities and am available to start immediately. I excel in teamwork, rapid prototyping, and communicating ideas clearly to both technical and creative teammates.

I have hands-on experience in game design, level design, art direction, and gameplay systems across university projects and industry collaborations, including VR co-op puzzle mechanics and space-themed tutorials. I love crafting polished experiences that invite players to explore, collaborate, and discover narratives.

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Experience Level

Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
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Language

English
Fluent
Chinese
Advanced
Japanese
Intermediate

Work Experience

Assistant Game Art Designer at NetEase Network Co., Ltd
October 1, 2022 - September 11, 2025
Designed the specific gameplay and completed the design of interfaces by investigating the players' interests and implying the character development. Enhanced ability about designing the gameplay by planning and executing the game event.
Level Designer at Rope Tool
January 1, 2023 - Present
Enhanced player experience by constructing the tutorial level with space-themed mechanics, which broadened the game's target age range for the Imagine RIT showcase. Provided a cohesive experience by collaborating with other department group members, ensuring player experience, increasing the game completion rate, and enhancing player curiosity about the narrative background and desire for further exploration.
Creative Lead, Game Design, Level Design at Duolatera
September 1, 2024 - Present
Designed mechanics and levels for a VR co-op puzzle game, with a strong emphasis on improving communication and collaboration between players. Developed and implemented game flow, ensuring players can easily understand and enjoy the mechanics for an engaging experience.
Assistant Game Art Designer at NetEase Network Co., Ltd
October 1, 2022 - September 11, 2025
Designed specific gameplay and completed interface design by investigating players’ interests and supporting character development. Planned and executed game events to improve gameplay experiences.
Creative Lead, Game Design, Level Design at Duolatera
September 1, 2024 - Present
Designed mechanics and levels for a VR co-op puzzle game with emphasis on improving communication and collaboration; developed and implemented game flow to ensure accessible and engaging mechanics.
Level Designer at Rope Tool
January 1, 2023 - Present
Enhanced player experience by constructing the tutorial level with space-themed mechanics; collaborated with other department group members to ensure cohesive player experience, increasing game completion rate and curiosity about the narrative background.
Activity League Secretary & vice-monitor at Youth League Branch of Higher Education Institutions
July 1, 2023 - September 11, 2025
Organized and led student club events with 50+ participants, participated in volunteer projects, and collaborated on campus competitions; recognized with city- and university-level awards for leadership and contributions.
Thrift Store Volunteer at RAPS Thrift Store
November 1, 2025 - Present
Provided friendly customer service by greeting shoppers, answering questions, and assisting on the sales floor. Supported store operations by organizing donations, maintaining cleanliness, and helping set up merchandise displays. Collaborated with staff and volunteers to ensure a positive customer experience and smooth daily operations.
IT Support Intern at ALTAVIA China
April 1, 2023 - July 1, 2023
Provided day-to-day technical support for a ~100-employee office, resolving software, hardware, and network issues. Assisted with IT onboarding and ensured smooth deployment of devices. Maintained and updated IT asset inventory, including laptops, monitors, and peripherals. Supported routine system updates, security checks, and office IT maintenance tasks.
Creative Lead, Game Designer at Game Duolatera
September 1, 2024 - June 1, 2025
Designed mechanics and levels for a VR co-op puzzle game, with a strong emphasis on improving communication and collaboration between players. Developed and implemented game flow, ensuring players can easily understand and enjoy the mechanics for an engaging experience.
Level Designer at Project Rope Tool
January 1, 2023 - Present
Enhanced player experience by constructing the tutorial level with space-themed mechanics, which broadened the game's audience. Provided a cohesive experience by collaborating with other department group members, ensuring player experience, increasing game completion rate, and enhancing curiosity about the narrative background and further exploration.
Activity League Secretary & Vice-Monitor at Shanghai Ocean University (SHOU)
October 1, 2021 - July 1, 2023
Organized and led student club events (50+ participants), demonstrating leadership and teamwork. Participated in volunteer projects and campus competitions, enhancing project management and problem-solving skills. Awarded at city- and university-level for leadership and contributions in the Youth League Branch.

Education

Master of Science in Game Design and Development at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
September 1, 2023 - July 1, 2025
Master of Science in Game Design and Development at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
September 1, 2023 - July 1, 2025
Master of Science in Game Design and Development at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
September 1, 2023 - July 1, 2025
Bachelor of Information Systems at Shanghai Ocean University (SHOU) & University of Tasmania
September 1, 2019 - July 1, 2023
Bachelor of Management at Shanghai Ocean University (SHOU) & University of Tasmania
September 1, 2019 - July 1, 2023

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Gaming, Media & Entertainment, Software & Internet, Education, Professional Services