Younjung Hwang

Hello, I am an Assistant Professor at Hunan University in China and a member of the Korean Society of Design Science and the Korean Society of Design History. My research focuses on AI Experience (AX) in visual communication design, exploring how generative AI can be meaningfully integrated into graphic design practices and design education.

I received my PhD in Visual Communication Design from Hongik University in Korea, where I also completed my undergraduate studies. My academic work includes publications and books on graphic design and Chinese design, with a particular interest in visual culture and cross-cultural perspectives.

My current interests center on generative AI, human–AI co-creation, and contemporary interpretations of East Asian visual culture. I welcome opportunities for academic and creative collaboration with researchers and designers who share similar interests.

CV (Eng / Kor)

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Research

#AI Experience (AX)
#Human–AI Co-creation
#Design Education
#Visual Communication Design
#East Asian Visual Culture and Aesthetics

I aim to move beyond the indiscriminate use of generative AI for image production and instead explore how AI can be meaningfully integrated into creative processes within visual communication design, including graphic design, poster design, brand identity, package design, and UX design, for both students and professionals.From a AI Experience (AX) perspective, my work investigates how designers collaborate with generative AI as a creative partner rather than a mere image-generating tool. In addition, I explore approaches for expressing contemporary East Asian visual culture and aesthetics through human–AI co-creation.

To address these questions, I take three complementary approaches:

[Designer = Content Creator]
I argue that designers should move beyond the role of visual technicians to become content creators who communicate meaning through images, guided by language, concepts, and keywords.

[AI = Creative Partner]
Rather than relying on the indiscriminate generation of images, AI should function as a creative partner that supports inspiration, reflection, and designers’ creative agency.

[Design = Philosophy]
AI ultimately serves as a medium for expressing ideas and narratives. Drawing from East Asian aesthetics, where art, technology, and philosophy are intertwined, I ask how human–AI co-creation can capture truth in contemporary visual culture.

Latest News

Ongoing

Book
I am currently writing a book titled China Design Journey in collaboration with Ahn Graphics, the largest design publisher in Korea. This book vividly introduces the unique design characteristics and charm of various Chinese cities to Korean readers. If you have any Chinese design cities you would like to recommend, please email me. I look forward to being inspired by your ideas and creating a great book.

12/2025

International Conference
I attended IASDR 2025, the International Association of Societies of Design Research conference, held in Taipei from December 2 to December 5, 2025, at the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park. I presented my paper, “The Effect of Generative AI on Design Students’ Critical Thinking and Creative Achievement,” and appreciated the opportunity to meet fellow researchers there.

04/2025

Paper
The paper “The Asymmetry of the Korean Moon Jar” with K. W. Choi has been published in Ceramics Art and Perception (A&HCI). This study examines the unique, unbalanced beauty of traditional Korean Moon Jars and explores how asymmetry reflects Korean aesthetics.

04/2025

Paper
The paper “Study on Generative AI Prompt Engineering for Package Design” with Yi Wu has been published in the International Journal of Advanced Smart Convergence (KCI). This study investigates methods for creating effective prompts to enhance package design using generative AI.

02/2025

Exhibition
I participated in the 2025 VIDAK International Invitational Exhibition with the work titled from February 11–14, 2025, at the University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa.

01/2025

Paper
The paper “Graphic Design Education in the Era of Text‐to‐Image Generation: Transitioning to Contents Creator” co-authored with Yi Wu, has been published in the International Journal of Art & Design Education (SSCI/A&HCI). This study explores the evolving role of graphic designers and design methodologies in the era of generative AI.