Research | Daeun Hwang

Daeun Hwang

Hi! I'm Daeun (Dany), a Ph.D. researcher who bridges the gap between technical systems and human-centered insights in a playful and engaging ways!

My current research focus is on musical creativity facilitated by technology, especially AI. Grounded in my global UX background, I use a mixed-methods approach to aim for a more intuitive and supportive user experiences.

#HCI #Musical creativity #Edu-Tech #Gamification

Currently pursuing Ph.D. in Information Science @UW

Advised by Dr. Jin Ha Lee and Dr. Jason C. Yip

Featured Research

Exploring player motivation in static and dynamic narrative

NSF-Funded project

CHI 2025 Workshop (Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems)

ICIDS 2024 (International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling)

AI-driven dynamic narrative systems for education
Comparative study analyzing player experience
Deriving design implications from qualitative insights

How does constructive feedback in an educational game sound to children?

International Journal of Child Computer Interaction (IJCCI)

Independent research and solo game development
3x2 between-subject experimental study with 60 pairs of children and parents
Analyzing how sound feedback impacts learners
Discovering children's emotional reactions to different feedback types

Mindfulness techniques taught through game mechanics

CHI PLAY 2024 (The Annual Symposium on Computer-Human Interaction in Play)

Narrative game design (PM and designer roles)
Translating mindfulness techniques into interactive game mechanics
Promoting emotional well-being through gameplay

User Preferences for Interaction Timing in Smartwatch Sleep Hygiene Games (2025)

Liang, Z., Hwang, D., Chen, S., Hoang, N. H., Khotchasing, K., Melcer, E. F.

CHI (Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems)

#Sleep hygiene game #Interaction Timing

Building Visual Novels with Social Simulation and Storylets (2024)

Johnson-Bey, S., Liao, K., Shields, S., Hwang, D., Wardrip-Fruin, N., Mateas, M., & Melcer, E.

International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling

#Dynamic Educational Narrative

Mindfulness Techniques Taught Through Game Mechanics (2024)

Hwang, D., Melcer, E. F.

CHI PLAY (The Annual Symposium on Computer-Human Interaction in Play)

#Game mechanics #Narrative game

Exploring engagement in Idle Game Design (2024)

Hwang, D., Melcer, E. F.

IEEE Conference on Games

#Player engagement #Design implication

The Role of Relevance in Shaping Perceptions of Sleep Hygiene Games Among University Students: Mixed Methods Study (2024)

Liang, Z., Melcer, E. F., Khotchasing, K., Chen, S., Hwang, D., Hoang, N. H.

JMIR Serious Games

#Sleep health #Watch-based game

How Does Constructive Feedback in an Educational Game Sound to Children? (2023)

Hwang, D., Kang, Y.

International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction

#Sound feedback #Emotional reaction

Understanding Human Perception of Music Plagiarism Through a Computational Approach (2024)

Hwang, D., Hwang, H.

ISMIR (Conference of the International Society for Music Information Retrieval)

(Late breaking work poster presentation)

#Human Perception #LLM-as-a-judge framework

A Music Information Retrieval Approach to Classify Sub-Genres in Role Playing Games (2024)

Hwang, D., Cai, X., E. Melcer, E. Carstendottir.

ISMIR (Conference of the International Society for Music Information Retrieval)

(Late breaking work poster presentation)

#Video game music #Feature extraction

EMO100DB: An Open Dataset of Improvised Songs with Emotion Data

Hwang, D., Park, S.

ICMPC (International Conference of Music Perception and Cognition)

#Dataset #MIR and emotion

HCI for Climate Resilience: Developing an Individual and Community Focused Framework through a Grounded Theory Approach (2025)

Hirsch, L., Hwang, D., , Johns, M., Isbister, K.

Conference on Designing for Interactive Systems

#HCI for climate resilience

Exploring the Extent of Usability for Augmented Profile Interfaces in Enhancing Conversation Experiences (2023)

Ryu, H., Bang, H., Hwang, D., Kang, Y.

Interacting with Computers

#AR #Observational study

Does Interactive Media Art Engage an Audience More Than Non-Interactive One Does? (2022)

Hwang, D., Oh, S., Jun, S.

Korean Society Design Culture Conference Proceeding

#Experimental study #Interactive media art

Meari: Interactive Smart Screen Designed to Tailor Personal Hiking Routes (2022)

Hwang, D., Choi, M., Jung, H., Baek, Y. J., Lee, H. B., Lee, Y., Ho, J., Lee, J., Jun, S.

Korean Society Design Culture Conference Proceeding

#Extensive user studies

Sbin: Smart, Interactive and IoT-Based Rotating Garbage Classifying Bin (2020)

Hwang, D., Chung, Y. J., Yoo, Y. M., Jun, S., Holoubek, T.

Korean Society Design Culture Conference Proceeding

#IoT #Product development

Enhancing Coastal Climate Resilience using Applied Technology, @UCSC, Seymour Marine Discovery Center
[June 2024 - Dec. 2024]
Advisor: Prof. Katherine Isbister, Dr. Linda Hirsch
• Conducted theory-based coding for the analysis of expert interviews
• Created sketches to support ideation and solution design development
Academical: A Choice-Based Interactive Storytelling Game for RCR, @UCSC, NSF grant
[Apr. 2024 - June 2025]
Advisor: Prof. Edward Melcer, Prof. Noah Wardrip-Fruin, Prof. Michael Mateas
• Conducted and analyzed between-subject experimental studies comparing AI-integrated and non AI-integrated versions of interactive storytelling game.
• Designed character sprites for the AI-implemented version of the narrative game.
Gamifying Sleep Health, @ALT Games Lab & KUAS’ Ubicomp Lab
[Oct. 2023 - Nov. 2024]
Advisor: Prof. Edward F. Melcer, Prof. Zilu Liang
• Developed ideas for adding gamification elements to sleep health-aiding service.
• Assisted in designing process for sleep-aiding pet game and building Japanese town game.
• Participated in writing multiple publications on user interaction with sleep health game.
Development of Servitization on Smart Air Clean System Airbot Airblock using Acoustic Waves and Clean Plasma Technology, @Korea Air Industry Promotion Association
[Oct. 2022 - Dec. 2022]
Advisor: Prof. Younah Kang
• Deployed server connection using Firebase and python, to send signals indicating different scenarios with VR device
• Conducted usability testing, experimental observational studies, and diary studies
Lead UX Researcher, Scale-up Challenge Lab @Incheon Start-up Park
[June 2021 - Nov. 2023]
Advisor: Prof. Keeheon Lee, Prof. Younah Kang
• Led and participated in UX consulting process for 6 different start-up companies.
• Provided strategies for successful overseas launching of the products.
• Conducted various UX research including 5+ field studies, 20+ usability testings, 10+ scenario-based observational studies, 5+ surveys, etc.
Research Intern, Design for Experience Lab @Yonsei University
[Mar. 2021 - Aug. 2023]
Advisor: Prof. Younah Kang
• Conducted 10+ user studies for VR/AR studies
• Participated in research on user experience for VR/AR studies, collaborating with master’s degree students in Innovation department.
Research Intern, Computational Science and Engineering Lab @Yonsei University
[July 2020 - Aug. 2020]
Advisor: Prof. Eunjung Lee
• Studied machine learning models using Python and Matlab as a summer research intern.

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More about Daeun!

My research is driven by a simple but strong belief: technology should be more than just a tool; it should provide an engaging and even fun experience.

Growing up as a missionary's kid in Ecuador, I could see firsthand how small details could have a huge impact on users in terms of human-computer interaction. That insight now fuels my research journey, where I explore the role and design of gamification elements within educational technology and creative expression.

For UX focused portfolio, please visit daeunhwang.com (click to see)

Currently in Seattle, WA, USA