New York City-based creative technologist Munus Shih is making waves in the design and technology world, bridging the gap between artistic vision and technical execution with innovative approaches to data visualization, generative design, and the integration of artificial intelligence. Born and raised in the Hakka village of Hsinchu, Taiwan, Shih provides a unique perspective to their work, ignited by a passion for critical and creative problem-solving.
Shih’s illustrious academic background includes an MFA in Design and Technology from Parsons School of Design and a BS in Engineering from National Tsing Hua University. This interdisciplinary foundation allows them to seamlessly maneuver through the complexities of both design and technology, a skillset honed through contributions to open-source projects at Design Systems International, Google Summer of Code, and the Processing Foundation. Further through their expertise, Shih has also shared their knowledge as an Adjunct Professor of creative coding at The New School and The Cooper Union.
But what truly sets Munus Shih apart is their ability to harness the power of data and generative design to craft compelling narratives. We sat down with Shih to delve into their creative processes, their contributions to Athletics, and their point of view on the evolving role of AI in design.
Data as Narrative: Weaving Stories Through Generative Design
Shih’s background to design is cemented in the understanding that “everything is data in some form.” Whether it’s crafting a visually appealing poster or transforming raw numbers into an insightful chart, the core concept remains the same: translating complex information into accessible and engaging visuals. However, Shih emphasizes a critical elemental difference between traditional design and data-driven generative design.
“The key difference is that the latter often uses real data as an input,” Shih explains. “This means working directly with raw data and structuring it into a system where the data itself plays an active role in shaping the final design.”
This philosophy was exemplified in “Wave Maker,” an exhibition and campaign design project Shih emphasized for an annual showcase of emerging designers in Taiwan. Understanding the exhibition was structured into five categories, Shih constructed a generative system that transformed text submissions from participating designers into unique, dynamic waveforms.
“These waveforms visually represent the themes and messages within their written content,” Shih elaborates. “It was a way to literally visualize their voices.”
The project went beyond static visuals, incorporating an interactive physical computing installation placed outside the exhibition space. Visitors could generate and manipulate their own custom waveforms in real-time, using their voices as an input. The installation served as a powerful metaphor, reinforcing the exhibition’s theme of “Wave Maker,” which focused mainly on making waves both literally and metaphorically, and empowered anyone to contribute to shaping conversations in design and society.
“By making data-driven storytelling interactive and personal, the project helped participants see themselves as part of the broader narrative,” Shih explains. “It wasn’t just about looking at static information—it was about engaging with it, making it their own, and feeling the impact of their voices in a tangible way.”
Athletics: Innovating Design Through Generative Tools and Interactive Experiences
Currently working as a Creative Technologist at Athletics, Shih continues to push the limits of design through the development of generative tools and interactive experiences. Their role is multifaceted, contributing to projects across diverse platforms and clients.
One significant contribution involved prototyping a generative tool to streamline the creation of motion assets for a particular brand. This tool automated aspects of the motion design process, allowing for faster and more consistent asset creation.
Shih also played a vital role in a project for Amazon’s “Design Community,” where they prototyped a tool designed to simplify asset creation within a constantly-evolving motion design system. Faced with the challenge of a lack of dedicated design resources for this initiative, Shih’s tool helped automate and standardize asset generation, making it more easily accessible for internal teams.
Beyond these internal projects, Shih is also involved in creating code-driven visual identities and motion assets for external clients. This often involves using code to generate design elements that would be more efficient to produce programmatically rather than using traditional tools like Cinema 4D or After Effects. Examples include the development of generative design elements for XR (Extended Reality) experiences and the creation of an interactive visual system for a contemporary art gallery in Chelsea.
“In these projects, I collaborated with brand and production designers to integrate procedural motion graphics that were both adaptive and scalable, ensuring they aligned seamlessly with the broader brand identity,” Shih explains.
By leveraging code as a design tool, Shih helps bridge the gap between creative direction and technical execution, enabling the implementation of dynamic, responsive, and computationally-driven design systems in production.
The Future of Design: Embracing AI as a Collaborative Partner
Looking to the future, Shih is fully aware of the profound impact of artificial intelligence on design and the evolving role of the creative technologist. While AI is undoubtedly automating many aspects of the creative process, Shih believes that it’s highly important to view it as a collaborator, rather than a replacement.
“AI is definitely playing a huge role in shaping how people work with creative technologies,” Shih says. “On one hand, it automates many aspects of the creative process. For example, AI can offer various templates or generate prompts that make coding more accessible, reducing the time spent searching for code examples or debugging. It’s great for tasks that were once tedious, like manual coding or troubleshooting, but I don’t think AI fully replaces the value of creative technologies.”
At Athletics, Shih and their team are exploring how AI can automate design processes, such as generating style transitions in code or refining designs. The importance is on treating AI as a partner, streamlining workflows and facilitating a smoother design-to-code-to-design cycle.
“While I wouldn’t just want AI to replace my creative work, I’d happily let it handle tasks like washing dishes or laundry,” Shih jokes. “The goal is to free up time for more meaningful creative work.”
Shih also reflects upon their experience as an educator, highlighting the empowering effect coding can have on students. “Once they understand it, it demystifies the process and gives them agency,” they explain. “Coding is a tool they can use to enhance their work, rather than an obstacle. I think that’s the mindset we should carry forward with AI as well—embracing it as a tool that enhances creativity, not something to fear.”
Ultimately, Munus Shih’s innovative approach to design, combining data visualization, generative techniques, and a forward-thinking perspective on AI, positions them as a leading voice in the ever-evolving landscape of creative technology. Their commitment to empowering designers with the tools and knowledge to embrace these advancements makes them a valuable asset to the industry and a driving force in shaping the future of design.
