Haeyoung Kim

Haeyoung Kim is an Assistant Professor at the School of Design at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). As a designer, researcher, and educator, she delves into the intricate connections between objects, culture, space, materials, and technology, exploring their profound influence on human interaction across various dimensions. She aims to design human-centric physical and digital interactions that foster vibrant social and cultural exchange.

Her research is twofold. One facet involves the creation of human-centered interactive learning objects and installations that foster social engagement through cutting-edge technologies, including sensors, physical computing, multimedia, IoT, and AI. Her passion lies in enhancing visitor experiences in the public realm, including museums, expos, research centers, and educational institutions, through playful interaction. She shapes how people engage with knowledge by translating complex and abundant information into interactive and meaningful journeys.

The other facet of her research redefines material paradigms, particularly responsive materials, to establish novel design frameworks. Through meticulous analysis of material properties and their responsive behavior, she crafts adaptable material systems for wearables and products. This approach is designed to provide distinct user experiences and optimize performance through innovative fabrication techniques, including 3D printing, 4D printing, lamination, knitting, and weaving. Studying geometry is essential for comprehending functional behavior, as it enables transformations that facilitate sensing and actuation through the interplay of geometry and material properties.

Before joining CMU, she was a Research Associate at MIT Design Lab, formerly recognized as the Mobile Experience Lab within MIT's Media Lab. Here, her efforts centered around crafting human-centered objects, interactions, and user experiences by integrating novel materials and emerging technologies. Her professional experience also encompassed a role as a designer at Tellart, an experience design studio renowned for conceiving and delivering interactive products, installations, and exhibitions for esteemed global brands and cultural institutions. In 2021, she began teaching as a visiting assistant professor at Kansas State University's Interior Architecture and Industrial Design Department.

She earned her Master of Design Studies in Technology from Harvard University and holds a BFA in Industrial Design from the Rhode Island School of Design.