You Longgu (1923-1993) was from Fuzhou, Fujian Province. After her graduation from the Art Department of the Nanjing Central Academy in 1949, she joined the People's Liberation Army, where she became an art teacher. In 1955, she joined the newly established propaganda poster team of the Shanghai People's Fine Arts Publishing House, where she worked with her former classmate, colleague and husband Ha Qiongwen (哈琼文). She was a gifted and versatile designer in her own right, one of the few women in the core propaganda poster team of the Publishing House.

During the Cultural Revolution You was sent to a May 7 Cadre School in the countryside south of Shanghai. The hard physical labor and the harsh living conditions deteriorated her health. After returning to Shanghai she designed posters again, illustrated children's books and taught at an art school.

You and Ha's son Ha Sizhuang (哈思庄) became a poster designer / artist as well. Their daughter Ha Siyang (哈思阳) became senior editor at the Shanghai People's Fine Arts Publishing House. She edited and wrote several publications about her parents' life and work.