Gyuri Sim(심규리)
I’m a human–computer interaction (HCI) researcher and interaction designer who specializes in research-driven experience design. I explore how people interact with physical environments, emerging technologies, and AI systems, with a focus on augmenting the physical and cognitive capabilities of humans.
I graduated from the School of Design Convergence at Hongik University, one of the top design programs in South Korea. I design human-centered interaction systems that integrate tangible and digital interfaces across urban, physical, and digital environments. My overarching goal is to create responsible, transparent, and impactful technologies that contribute to a better world.
OVERVIEWIf a construction worker is involved in an accident, they often cannot call for help due to physical immobility and the noisy on-site environment. To address this, I designed and developed an XR-based SOS system on Microsoft HoloLens 2; this allows construction workers to place a rescue request through eye gazing control or automatically request for emergency help using head-mounted motion sensors. This system was implemented with an intuitive interface tailored to workers’ XR literacy. User testing and simulated scenarios demonstrated reliable detection and increased worker trust. The system was later presented at an international HCI conference and graduation exhibition, and it received strong recognition for its practical, real-world potential. #XR #SafetyUX #HoloLens2 #EyeTracking #IndustrialHCI ‘Sophie.ai’: CO-AI Workplace SaaSData privacy & Critical Thinking collaborate with an AI agent
OVERVIEW
As AI becomes deeply embedded in workplace tools, it is transforming how we work, make decisions, and create. However, through a user survey, I identified growing concerns among employees regarding data privacy, reliability, and the erosion of human cognitive and decision-making abilities. In response, I designed Co-AI Workplace SaaS—an enterprise platform that integrates AI while prioritizing data transparency, user autonomy, and productivity empowerment. User evaluations showed that transparent data feedback and a human-in-the-loop system foster trust, confidence, and critical thinking, demonstrating how Co-AI amplifies, rather than replaces, human capability.
#Human-AI Interaction #Human-in-the-loop #Productive empowerment #EnterpriseSaaS # Data Transparency
Smart Trashcan Internet of Things (IoT) + Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) System for Urban Service Planning Behavior-Aware, Context-Informed Urban Service Design OVERVIEW Although cities are advancing toward smart infrastructure, waste management in parks remains inefficient due to poor bin placement, low recycling awareness, and subjective design decisions. Field research revealed that effective solutions demand an understanding of the interplay of behavior, space, and operations. This project proposes a smart trash can IoT system and a CBR model that analyzes user behavior data to recommend context-aware interventions. Implemented with Python similarity algorithms and structured case inputs, the system generates transparent design suggestions. This work demonstrates how IoT sensing and explainable AI can support sustainable, data-driven urban service design. #Smart City UX
#Human-Machine Interaction
#IoT UX
#Explainable AI
#Case-based Reasoning #Urban Service Design
OVERVIEWAs many older adults face social isolation, I aimed to provide them with an accessible way to re-engage socially. Through user studies, I found that low digital literacy makes it difficult for the elderly to use online volunteer platforms. To address this, I designed a voice-based AI assistant that recommends volunteer opportunities and guides users through each step with slow-paced, polite, and respectful dialogue tailored to the cognitive and emotional characteristics of older adults. User testing showed increased confidence in using technology and greater motivation among older adults to participate in social activities. This project demonstrates the impact of empathetic, dignity-centered AI for elderly users.#Voice UX/UI #Accessibility #Coversational AI UX #Older People UX #Social Good AI
OVERVIEW As a customer experience researcher at Humax Mobility, I found that many EV public charging stations were installed and designed without considering anthropometrics, interaction reach, or visibility, thus revealing a fundamental accessibility gap. To address this, I developed data-driven UX guidelines that integrate reachability, gaze distance, gaze height, safety clearance, and realistic parking dimensions tailored to Korean EV users. I translated these insights into actionable spatial design criteria using national human-scale datasets and on-site measurements. These guidelines have improved accessibility, safety, and UX, providing a scalable research-to-policy model for EV charging infrastructure. #Human Factors #Environmental UX #EV Infrastructure #Spatial Design
OVERVIEW As micro-mobility becomes more widespread, riders frequently stop or glance at their smartphones to check directions—a behavior fraught with risks even when the device is mounted. The on-road haptic navigation form factor proposes an intuitive interface that minimizes visual load and leverages tactile cues to guide riders safely. By reducing visual dependency during navigation, this haptic form factor enhances riding safety, improves situational awareness, and supports more sustainable human–mobility interactions in urban environments. #Haptics #Micro-Mobility UX #City #Safety Interaction #New FormFactor Design
OVERVIEW People rely heavily on vision, limiting their ability to use other senses as sources of creative inspiration. This led me to explore whether a synesthetic, tactile-to-auditory experience could stimulate imagination in the absence of visual cues. Through public interviews wherein participants were asked to guess various tactile sounds, I found that people naturally infer situational context and describe the sounds with vivid, unexpected sensory imagery. This revealed how multisensory engagement can unlock latent imagination and enhance creativity. In response, I developed Ping-Pong, a synesthetic (tactile-to-auditory) tool that transforms everyday tactile experiences into sound, enabling users to interpret, imagine, and generate new creative associations. This work points toward new possibilities for future multisensory interface design. #MultisensoryUX
#Creativity Support
#Tactile-to-Audio Mapping#
Synesthetic Inspiration
‘Autbon’: Sustainable Corn Farming PackageSustainable Design Supporting Small-Scale Farmers toward Zero Hunger OVERVIEW
Severe food insecurity in the Democratic Republic of Congo persists despite abundant natural resources; the majority of small family farmers lack access to quality seeds, tools, and basic agricultural knowledge. Research revealed that low literacy, scarce educational infrastructure, and limited farming equipment prevent farmers from achieving self-sufficiency. To address this, I designed AutBon, a sustainable corn farming package that enables low-literacy users to independently cultivate high-yield corn. The kit includes seeds, tools, and fully visual, text-free farming instructions that can be understood by farmers without formal education. The advantage of the packaging is that it can be transformed into a reusable bag and work surface, maximizing utility in resource-limited environments. This project demonstrates how culturally grounded, visually driven UX design can empower marginalized communities. It was internationally recognized with the 2021 iF Design Award, one of the world’s most renowned prestigious design honors.
#Sustainable Design #Social Impact #Low Literacy UX #Visual Communication
XR Emergency Service System for Construction Builders Sim, G., Han, A., & Ahn, S., “XR Emergency Service System for Construction Builders,” Human-Computer Interaction Society of Korea Conference Proceedings 2023, pp.804-805. Feb. 2023. [PDF] [URL] [Research Summary]
2022
User Test of XR Service Apps for Construction Builders Han, A., Sim, G., & Ahn, S., “User Test of XR Service Apps for Construction Builders,” ICCC International Conference on Convergence of Content Proceedings 2022, pp.87-88. Dec. 2022. [PDF] [URL]
2019
Base of Sound Sensibility Design Service Tool Sim, G., Lee, M., & Ahn, S., “Base of Sound Sensibility Design Service Tool,” KSDS International Conference Proceedings 2019, pp.298-99. Nov. 2019. [PDF] [URL]