Sung blends traditional art methods with emerging media technologies to create evocative environments and artifacts that transform complex ideas into immersive, interactive experiences. Her multidisciplinary practice explores diverse modes of sensemaking, translating science, history, and data into playful explorations and opportunities for co-constructing meaning. Her collaborative works have been funded by the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science & Creativity (KOFAC) and the Seoul Foundation for Arts & Culture, and are permanently displayed in public spaces such as the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) and the Gwangju National Science Museum.
Formerly as an HCI researcher at the Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII) at Carnegie Mellon University, she investigated the challenges and opportunities of designing transdisciplinary digital tools to support dynamic sensemaking of conversational data. Prior to HCII, she developed interactive prototypes for various government R&D projects at the Korean Culture Technology Institute (KCT), focusing on designing physical-digital systems for more intuitive and expressive approaches to content creation, exploratory learning, and storytelling.
Current Interests
Speculative Design, Ecology & Sustainability
Translating scientific research into experiential interventions and artifactsReimagining urban redevelopment, breathing new life into neglected, forgotten spaces
The art of scaffolding difficult conversations to bridge divides
Research Interests
Immersive Data Visualization & Exploration, Data Physicalization
3D UI/UX & Embodied Interaction, Mixed Reality Environments
Augmented Creativity, Generative Design, Motion Computing, Kinetic Art
sunga.j [at] gmail [dot] com
full name: Sung-A Jang [suhng-ah-jahng]
Feel free to reach out if you are interested in collaborating or simply want to say hello! You can also request a CV by email.
EDUCATION
Ph.D. Candidate, Human Computer Interaction Institute, Aug 2018 - 2021
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.
M.S. in Culture Technology, Focus: Interactive Media & Space, Aug 2015
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
Thesis: Augmenting Gestural Strokes with Dynamics-Driven Simulations for Immersive
Freeform 3D Modeling [pdf}
Advisors: Sung-Hee Lee, Graham Wakefield, Woontack Woo
Awarded full government scholarship for graduate studies
B.A. in Visual Art, History of Art & Architecture (Double Major), May 2007
Brown University, Providence, RI, U.S.
Recipient of Roberta Joslin Award of Excellence in Art 2007
COMPUTING
· Interactive Systems Design & Development: Unity3D, C, C++, C#, Typescript, Javascript, Lua, OpenCV
· Data Analysis & Visualization: R, Processing, openFrameworks
· 3D Modeling & Simulation: Solidworks, AutoCAD
· Graphic Design: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Indesign, After Effects, Quark
PUBLICATIONS
International
S.Jang and B. L’Huillier. “Rediscovering Korea's Ancient Skies: An Immersive, Interactive 3D Map of Traditional Korean Constellations in the Milky Way,” In Proceedings of the 25th International Symposium on Electronic Arts, pp. 616-617, Jun. 2019. [pdf] [Project]
S. Jang, G. Wakefield, and S. Lee. "Incorporating Kinesthetic Creativity and Gestural Play into Immersive Modeling," In Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Movement Computing, Jun. 2017. [pdf} [Project]
S. Jang, K. Baik, and K. Ko. "Muru in Wonderland: An Immersive Video Tour with Gameful Character Interaction for Children." In Proceedings of the 2016 ACM Conference Companion Publication on Designing Interactive Systems, pp. 173-176, Jun. 2016. [pdf} [Project]
S. Jang, H. Kim, W. Woo, and G. Wakefield, "AiRSculpt: A Wearable Augmented Reality 3D Sculpting System," In International Conference on Distributed, Ambient, and Pervasive Interactions (DAPI 2014), Lectures on Computer Science (LNCS), Vol. 8530, pp. 130-141, Jun. 2014. [pdf} [Project]
D. A. Min, Y. Kim, S. Jang, K. Y. Kim, S. E. Jung, and J. H. Lee, "Pretty Pelvis: A Virtual Pet Application That Breaks Sedentary Time by Promoting Gestural Interaction," Proc. of ACM Conference Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI) Extended Abstracts, pp. 1259-1264, Apr. 2015. [pdf] [Project]
Domestic
H. Hahn, S. Jang, N. Park, J. Chae, J. Kim, S. Oh, W. Yoo, S. Jung, T. Ha, J. Kim, Arts Policy Research: Revitalizing the Performing Arts via Digital Space, Vol. 2, Arts Council Korea, Dec. 2016. [pdf] [Project]
S. Oh, H. Hahn, S. Jang, W. Heo, K. Baik, H. Baek, J. Kim, Demand Diffusion of Immersive Media Quality Evaluation and Regional Linkage Plans, Jeonnam Information & Culture Industry Promotion Agency, Apr. 2016.
EXHIBITIONS
2019 The Augmented Museum, Prehistory & Ancient History Showroom, National Museum of Korea
2017 “Sound of Light,” Sci-Art Zone, Permanent Exhibition in Gwangju Science Museum, Korea
2017 GIST: Research Innovation & Pioneer Exhibition, Ohryong Pavilion, Gwangju, Korea
2017 “Buddha in the Heart” Special Exhibition, Gwangju National Museum, Korea
2016 Designing Interactive Systems (DIS) Exhibition, Brisbane, Australia
2015 GIST Research Achievement Exhibition, Ohryong Pavilion, Gwangju, Korea
2015 “Muru in Wonderland,” Glocal Content Fair Exhibition, KINTEX, Ilsan, Korea
2014 “Soribyeol,” Permanent Installation, Design Playground, Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Seoul, Korea
2014 “Flying Imagination” Exhibition (HCIK 2014), High1 Resort Convention Center, Kangwon-do, Korea
2012 “Living Photography” Exhibition, HSS Euljiro, Seoul, Korea
2012 Art+Technology Exhibition, Science & Creativity Conference, Sheraton Grande Walkerhill Seoul, Korea
2012 “Digital for Real Life” Exhibit, Smart Cloud Show 2012, COEX, Seoul, Korea
2012 “Wearable Summer Nights,” Boehringer-Ingelheim Outdoor Garden Party, Shilla Jeju Hotel, Korea
2012 Art & Science Exhibition, Korean Donation for Education Fair 2012, KINTEX, Ilsan, Korea
2011 Art+Technology Exhibition, Science & Creativity Conference, Sheraton Grande Walkerhill Seoul, Korea
2011 Biomimetic Kinetic Orchestra, Platoon Kunsthalle, Seoul, Korea
2007 “Portals,” Solo Exhibition, List Art Center lobby, Providence, RI
2007 Juried Student Exhibition, David Winton Bell Gallery, Providence, RI
2005 “Writing Block,” Interactive Video Installation, Graduate Center, Brown University, RI
2005 “Relapse,” Video Art Installation, List Art Center, Providence, RI