Meet the artist behind Twitter’s Fail Whale and the dumpling and boba tea emojis, and bid on two original signed artworks benefiting the Mensa Foundation. Art, creativity, and generosity come together at San Francisco Regional Mensa’s Brilliance by the Bay, November 20–22, 2026, in Burlingame, California. Internationally recognized artist and designer Yiying Lu will join us as a featured speaker and has generously donated two signed artworks for auction, with all proceeds benefiting the Mensa Foundation, our Premier Sponsor.
Planning to attend? Online registration closes Friday, November 13! Explore the program and register
Two Signed Artworks Available for Auction
Yiying has donated two of her distinctive creations:
- Believe in Your Inner Unicorn
- Red Panda Night Market
Both artworks are signed, gold-framed A3 pieces that will be offered through live and silent auctions during the gathering.
- Starting bid: $500 per artwork
- Bid increments: $100
- Beneficiary: Mensa Foundation (100% of auction proceeds)
This is an opportunity to take home a signed work by an internationally recognized designer while supporting research, scholarships, and programs that advance our understanding of intelligence and human potential.
Meet Yiying Lu at Designing for Belonging: Creativity Connects Us
What makes a design feel like it belongs?
Drawing on two decades of cross-cultural creative work, Yiying will explore how visual language connects people across cultures. From creating Twitter’s iconic Fail Whale to bringing Asian culture to billions of keyboards through the dumpling and boba tea emojis, her work demonstrates how design can make cultures feel seen and communities feel connected.
An Adobe Global Creative Ambassador and former San Francisco Arts Commissioner, Yiying has also worked with organizations including the United Nations and Disney Shanghai. Read the full description of her Saturday morning session.
Support the Mensa Foundation
The Mensa Foundation, Premier Sponsor of SFRM’s 2026 RG Brilliance by the Bay, advances understanding of intelligence and human potential through research, scholarships, education, recognition, and programs benefiting Mensans and the broader community. Foundation research highlights the importance of intellectual challenge, creative expression, and meaningful connection throughout life.
Highly intelligent individuals often pursue multiple interests and seek opportunities to express their creativity, connect with intellectual peers, and find a sense of belonging. Through research and educational initiatives, the Foundation works to better understand these needs and help gifted and highly intelligent people thrive.
You don’t have to win an auction to make a difference. You can support the Foundation directly:
- Donate online: mensafoundation.org/give
- Donate by text: Text SFRM to 44-321 to support the Mensa Foundation and have your donation tracked for San Francisco Regional Mensa.
See what your support makes possible. Support the Mensa Foundation.
Join Us at Brilliance by the Bay
A special thank-you to Yiying Lu for generously donating her artwork and to the Mensa Foundation for sponsoring her appearance at Brilliance by the Bay. Join us November 20–22 in Burlingame for a weekend of thought-provoking presentations, creative exploration, and meaningful connections.
Friday, November 13, is the last day to register online! View the RG program and register online