A Few Words About Me
Hi there! My name is Chris Zhang, and I wear a couple of hats—User Research Engineer and Prompt Engineer. But before you start picturing me as the stereotypical engineer hunched over a keyboard, surrounded by energy drink cans, let me assure you: that’s not me.
​
I’m the kind of engineer who thrives on curiosity. Whether it’s exploring the nuances of human behavior or cracking the code to a perfectly witty prompt, I’m all about diving deep and asking “why?” (and sometimes “why not?”).​
My career journey so far has been relatively straightforward. Before embarking on my entrepreneurial adventure, I spent nearly six wonderful years at Apple. Honestly, those years were some of the best in my life. At Apple, I didn’t just learn how to work; I learned a way of thinking. It’s about taking every task seriously, obsessing over the smallest details, and—let’s admit it—sometimes being a little stubborn. But hey, stubbornness isn’t always a bad thing, right? Flexibility isn’t always a virtue either. Maybe it’s this "stubborn" spirit that allows Apple to create so many iconic products. Take the A-series and M-series chips, for example. That obsession with control and perfection—that dream of having their own chip—was planted in Steve Jobs’ mind the day he founded Apple. And look where that dream has taken them.​​​
After leaving Apple, I decided to return to China and start my own business—doing something I genuinely enjoy. During my time as an engineer at Apple, I realized that, compared to dealing with complex algorithms, tedious code, and a dizzying array of electronic components, I much preferred working with people. So, I set out to "distill" my knowledge and skills in user research and product testing into a consulting company. And I actually did it! Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of working with leading tech companies in China, including ByteDance, Huawei, Baidu, Alibaba, and Vivo, providing them with internal training and consulting services. As a tiny micro-business with just five employees—essentially a personal studio—it hasn’t been easy, but we’ve managed to achieve something remarkable.
Now, here I am, 42 years old. They say 40 is the "age of no confusion"—at least, that’s what Confucius thought. He said, "At fifteen, I set my heart on learning; at thirty, I stood firm; and at forty, I had no doubts." Honestly, I don’t think I’ve got it all figured out. In fact, with all the new things popping up—TikTok, XR tech, ChatGPT—I sometimes feel more confused than ever. There are moments when I look around and think, "Wow, I really don’t understand this world anymore." But, as an entrepreneur, though, staying sharp is non-negotiable. You can’t afford to drift through the days, no matter how big or small your business is. That’s why, for the past three years, I’ve been constantly learning. Whether it’s new tools, industry trends, or just picking up insights from a random podcast, I’ve made it a habit to keep my brain in gear. It’s exhausting sometimes, sure, but it’s also what keeps me in the game.
​
And that’s how "Genius Reborn" came to life. It’s a mix of my personal blog and a hub for AI tools. My plan is to build AI Agents specifically tailored for the product design world—tools that can make life easier for product managers, designers, and engineers. It’s still a work in progress, but I’m excited about where it’s headed. Who knows? Maybe it’ll be the next big thing, or maybe it’ll just be my little passion project. Either way, I’m having a blast.
​
Finally, I hope my website feels like a spark of inspiration for you—a place where ideas, tools, and maybe even a bit of wonder come together. Curiosity has always been my driving force, and it’s what keeps me exploring, building, and sharing. If my work resonates with you, I’d be thrilled to have your support in keeping that sense of curiosity alive. After all, isn’t life all about finding joy in the things we don’t yet understand and the adventures that come with discovering them??​​​​​