Evidence-Based Digital Design | AI · XR · HCI

I build evidence-based digital experiences at the intersection of AI, XR, and HCI.

Turning complex technology into interfaces people can understand and trust.

Background & Expertise

Wonju-Hwangbo - Ph.D. in Media Engineering

I hold a Ph.D. in Engineering and an M.S. in Digital Media, with extensive experience as an overall lead and end-to-end owner across product management, design direction, and development coordination. My work bridges rigorous research with practical digital design, focusing on making emerging technologies—AI, XR, and HCI—legible and trustworthy for real users.

As an adjunct professor, I have taught studio-based courses that emphasize prototype-driven learning, critique, and lightweight validation. I am seeking a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Digital Design where I can advance evidence-based methods for designing AI and XR systems, while training the next generation of designers to work responsibly with complex, evolving technologies.

Research

Trustworthy AI interfaces, XR interaction design, evidence-based methods for emerging tech

Teaching

Studio-driven, prototype-centered courses with critique and lightweight validation focus

Practice

End-to-end leadership across PM, design, and development for digital products

Research Agenda

Three interconnected research clusters at the intersection of AI, XR, and evidence-based design

01

AI + Trustworthy Interfaces

Designing explanation layers, uncertainty communication, and human-in-the-loop workflows that help users understand AI behavior, assess reliability, and maintain appropriate trust calibration.

  • Explainability visualization patterns
  • Confidence and uncertainty display
  • Human oversight interaction models
02

XR/MR + Interactive Narrative

Creating testable immersive interactions with measurable learning and decision outcomes. Exploring how spatial computing and mixed reality can support complex cognitive tasks through well-structured narrative and interaction design.

  • Spatial interaction taxonomies
  • Narrative-driven wayfinding and comprehension
  • Outcome measurement in immersive environments
03

Evidence-Based Methods for Emerging Tech

Developing rigorous yet pragmatic evaluation methods when perfect datasets are unavailable. Emphasizing explicit assumptions, proxy signals, and realistic measurement plans to build credible design knowledge in fast-moving technology domains.

  • Assumption-explicit design frameworks
  • Proxy metric validation strategies
  • Lightweight testing protocols for early-stage tech

Teaching Philosophy & Courses

Studio-driven, prototype-centered pedagogy with critique and evidence-based validation

Teaching Philosophy

My teaching centers on studio practice: students build functional prototypes, present them in structured critiques, and develop lightweight validation plans to test their design assumptions. I emphasize that even small-scale evidence—analytics, interviews, or focused usability tests—is more credible than intuition alone. Students learn to articulate what they know, what they assume, and how they would validate their work in the real world.

Digital Design Studio: AI + Interaction

Hands-on course designing AI-augmented interfaces with focus on explainability, feedback loops, and user trust.

UX Research Methods for Emerging Technologies

Evidence-based evaluation techniques adapted for fast-moving tech: proxy metrics, assumption mapping, rapid validation.

Interactive Data Visualization & Storytelling

Designing data-driven interfaces that communicate complex information clearly and honestly.

Responsible AI for Designers

Critical examination of AI ethics, bias, transparency, and accountability through design case studies and critique.

Student Deliverables

Every project requires:

  • Prototype: Functional demo (web, mobile, XR, or video walkthrough)
  • Rationale: Clear explanation of design decisions and underlying assumptions
  • Evaluation Plan: Proposed method to validate the design (even if execution is future work)
  • Evidence Summary: Any available data (analytics, interviews, small-scale tests) presented honestly
  • Reflection: What worked, what didn't, what would be tested next

Selected Work

Digital design projects demonstrating evidence-based methods, end-to-end ownership, and research-driven approaches

REMEDI Healthcare - Novel Technologies

REMEDI Healthcare Website

Use-case-first IA redesign for global medical technology

View Case Study
UX Design Information Architecture

REMEDI Healthcare Website

End-to-end redesign focused on clarity and trust for global audiences. Includes v1 hypothesis and validation plan.

AI Explainability Dashboard - TB Screening Workflow

AI Explainability Dashboard

Transparency layer for AI-assisted X-ray workflows

AI Interface Trustworthy AI

AI Explainability Dashboard (for AI-assisted X-ray workflows)

Designed for portable X-ray solutions including REMEDI's 2.4kg KA6, making AI outputs interpretable in constrained settings.

Interactive Data Visualization - Global TB Cases Map

Interactive Data Visualization Tool

Evidence-driven interface for complex datasets

Data Visualization UX Design

Interactive Data Visualization

User-tested visualization system for exploring high-dimensional research data with clear provenance and uncertainty indicators.

Design Composition Portfolio - 3D Visualization and Motion Graphics

Design Composition Portfolio

3D visualization and motion graphics collection

3D Design Motion Graphics Visual Design

Design Composition Portfolio

A collection of 3D visualization, motion graphics, and visual design work spanning commercial projects, brand identity, and interactive media from previous design practice.

3D Production by Wonju-Hwangbo

Portable X-ray Digital Camera | User Manual Video

I created this 3D animated user manual to demonstrate the REMEDI portable X-ray camera's setup, operation, and technical features for global audiences.

Scholarly Contributions

2025

July 2025

"A Case of K-Health's Global Public Health Contribution through Appropriate Technology: Delivering Portable X-ray Innovation for Medical Equity"

International Conference on Energy, Aquatech and Sustainability (ICEAS 2025)

Conference Paper
May 2025

"AI-based Chest X-ray Screening and Monitoring System for Mobile Osteoporosis Services"

Korean Society of Industrial Information Systems

Conference Paper
May 2025

"Development of High-Speed Display Technology and Metaverse Platform for Radiographic Imaging"

Korean Society of Industrial Information Systems

Poster
May 2025

"Development of Integrated AI-based X-ray Imaging System for Automatic Bone Age Assessment"

Korean Society of Industrial Information Systems

Poster
May 2025

"Development of MR-based Anatomical Content using HMD Technology"

Korean Society of Industrial Information Systems

Poster

2023

May 2023

"A Study on Technology Assessment Factors and Direction of Progress for New Technologies in South Korea"

Journal of Technology Innovation, 31(2), 173-214

Journal Article

2022

August 2022

"A study on the policy instrument and RIS framework for Mekong delta region"

PICMET (IEEE Xplore)

Conference Paper

2021

April 2021

"A study on the Policy Instrument for Regional Innovation System Construction in the Mekong Delta Region"

Asian Journal of Innovation and Policy, 10(1), 39-67

Journal Article
January 2021

"A Study on the Evaluation Factors of Teaching Learning in the Planning of Cultural Contents by Using PBL"

The Journal of the Korea Contents Association

Journal Article

2019

December 2019

"A Study on the Prioritization of Policy for Gendered Innovations"

Asian Journal of Innovation and Policy

Journal Article
September 2019

"Technology Impact Assessment of Coexistence Technology in MR on Edutainment Field: using Word Cloud"

Journal of Korea Multimedia Society

Journal Article
August 2019

"Technology Impact Assessment of Coexistance Technology in Mixed Reality"

PICMET (IEEE Xplore)

Conference Paper

2018

August 2018

"A Study on the Prioritization of Policy Instruments Regarding Gendered Innovations in STI and R&D using AHP Method"

PICMET (IEEE Xplore)

Conference Paper

2017

August 2017

"A Study on Digital Media Literacy Growth Possibility for Children: Focusing on Lacan's Desire Theory"

Journal of Korea Multimedia Society

Journal Article

CV

View Full CV

Comprehensive curriculum vitae including education, research, teaching, publications, and service.

View CV Online

Get in Touch

Inquiries about research collaboration, teaching opportunities, or project discussions

Phone

+82 10-8586-4016 (South Korea)

Location

Seoul, South Korea