HI, I am
Penny Zhang
Sydney Australia/Shanghai China
Currently in Sydney.
Penny Zhang is a Chinese Australian designer–maker working across ceramics, interaction design, illustration, and 3D visualisation. Her multidisciplinary practice is rooted in care—for animals, the environment, and social equity.
Much of her work explores the emotional and sensory connections between people and the world around them, often weaving storytelling with tactile materials and digital processes. Whether through playful cat-inspired ceramics or thoughtful interaction design, Zhang aims to create work that supports well-being, sparks reflection, and invites empathy
Education
UNSW Art & Design, Sydney, Australia (2019)
Bachelor of Media Arts
UNSW Art & Design, Sydney, Australia (2020 - 2022)
Bachelor of Design
UNSW Art & Design, Sydney, Australia (2023)
Bachelor of Design (Honours)
UNSW Art & Design, Sydney, Australia (2024-Present)
Master of Design
Mixi Studio (弥熹工作室) – Jing de zhen, China(2025)
Advanced WheelThrowing 1-on-1 Program
Prizes & Awards
Dean's List
UNSW Art, Design & Architecture Faculty Prize (2024)
Graduate of the Year Awards (GOTYA) Nomination
Nominated by Katherine Moline, UNSW for "it's for your own good "(2024)
UNSW Art & Design Award Winner
"In My Cat's Dream" (2024)
Frost Design Prize – Highly Commended*
"it's for your own good" (2023)
Exhibition
2025
“Traces of an escaping star”
"Palimpsest", Good space gallery, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
“Traces of an escaping star”
"Cyberdelia" ,Good space gallery, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
2024
“Auspicious Superstition”
Sydney Design Week, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
“Auspicious Superstition”
REVIEW. REACT. RESPOND., Gaffa Gallery, Sydney, Australia
“Home”
Project Market Space, Project 107, Sydney, Australia
“It's for your own good”
Luminocity 2024, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
“It's for your own good”
International Graduate Exhibition, Politecnico di Milano School of Design, Milan, Italy
“Double Happiness”
Co-curator & Exhibitor, Haymarket, Sydney, Australia
“it's for your own good”
A Fresh Perspective, Gallery Lowe and Lee, Sydney, Australia
“it's for your own good”
Liminal Space, Goodspace Gallery, Sydney, Australia
“In My Cat’s Dream”
New Visions in Object Design, AD Space, Sydney, Australia
“Tatalita”
Hurstville 2024 Lunar New Year Festival, Sydney, Australia
2023
"It's for your own good"
UNSW A&D 2023 Annual, UNSW Galleries, Sydney, Australia (December)