Minyoung Joo

Researcher & XR Designer

Minyoung Joo

Hi, I'm Minyoung, a researcher and XR designer based in Los Angeles. My research lies at the intersection of media psychology, cognitive science, and human-computer interaction. I investigate how immersive technologies reshape perception, embodiment, and our understanding of reality through interactive prototyping and empirical research.

Across academia and industry, I've conducted UX research at Samsung Card, collaborated with researchers at NASA JPL through Caltech's Data to Discovery program on scientific data visualization (CLOVE and CliMAScope), designed VR learning experiences for the University of Notre Dame, and explored social innovation related to homelessness in Los Angeles as a fellow with UC Berkeley's AAPI Data initiative.

At ArtCenter, I pursued several independent research collaborations that continue to influence my research today. I explored the interplay between digital and physical materiality with Elise Co, investigated embodied interaction between humans and AI with Maxim Safioulline, and completed an Immersion Lab Residency exploring unconscious bodily responses during immersive learning experiences.

Outside of research, I organize XR Hackathons for XR beginners, collect fountain pens, draw, and spend more time than I'd like to admit browsing vintage watches.

Publications

2025

Pham, Hu, Joo, White, et al. · IEEE VIS 2025, Vienna, pp. 86-90

Pham, Hu, Joo, White, et al. · IEEE VIS 2025, Vienna, pp. 201-205

2021

Joo, Kim, Park, Song, Chung · First author · KSDS Conference Proceedings, Seoul

Publications

Research Experiences

2025

Bolder Futures Fellow, AAPI Data

Research framing for VR project on urban visibility and safety

2025

Extended Reality Intern, University of Notre Dame

VR learning experience for Meta Quest 3 (Unity, Meta SDK)

2024

Design Researcher, ArtCenter College of Design

[with Maxim Safioulline] Real-time generative AI installation; published at ACM IMX 2025

2024

Design Researcher, ArtCenter College of Design

[with Elise Co] Spolia Lounge, a physical installation on digital materiality; On continuous display at ArtCenter since Summer 2024

2024

Immersion Lab Residency, ArtCenter College of Design

[with Jenny Rodenhouse] Observed content-dependent micro-variations in hand pressure during on-screen reading

2024

External Research Collaborator

Data to Discovery / Caltech & NASA JPL & ArtCenter

2022

Design Researcher, Samsung Card

(industry-academia collaboration) Conducted UX research for the ID Platinum Card launch, supporting product positioning and user experience decisions for a service that reached 100K+ users.

2021

Student Researcher, IDAS & LG Home Entertainment

Gen Z research for a new LG wellness brand: in-depth interviews (IDI), persona modeling, journey mapping, and service blueprinting; proposed the brand concept "Petit à petit" and a sleep-wellness device service

Research Experiences

Awards

2025

Graduate Fellow

Selected for the Graduate Fellows Program, a tuition-free additional term awarded to exceptional graduates (Summer 2025). Used the term to complete two IEEE VIS 2025 publications with researchers from NASA JPL and Caltech.

2023

Korean Institute of Design

Winner

2021

Spark Design Awards

Winner

2020

International Design Awards (IDA)

Bronze

Indigo Design Awards

Bronze

Cultural Heritage Art Renewal Awards

Grand Prize

2018–2023

Hongik University

Four-year full scholarship

Awards

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