Annotated Bibliography
Group IXD Design Challenge Final Presentation. BIMD 250: Introduction to Interaction Design. Winter 2024.
In this group project, our team designed an interaction concept titled “Space SnapChat: Mars to Earth Communication,” an interface intended to support long-distance, delayed communication between astronauts on Mars and their families on Earth. The project addresses the limitations of real-time communication caused by extreme distance and instead explores asynchronous, emotionally meaningful interaction through messages, photos, videos, and turn-based games. The design process included developing a primary persona (an astronaut named David Gregory), researching existing communication platforms such as Snapchat, Discord, WeChat, and iMessage, and iterating from low-fidelity wireframes to a high-fidelity prototype. Ethical considerations such as user data collection, end-to-end encryption, and equitable user experience for both Earth and Mars users were also incorporated into the final concept.
I chose to include this project in my portfolio because all UI design work presented in the final project was completed by me, making it a strong representation of my individual design skills within a collaborative environment. At the same time, this project marked the first time in my coursework that I deeply experienced true teamwork, rather than simply dividing tasks among group members. Through ongoing discussions, feedback, and iteration, I learned how my design decisions needed to respond to others’ ideas, research, and critiques. This process helped me better understand the importance of communication, flexibility, and shared responsibility in collaborative design work. Overall, this project reflects both my growth as a UI designer and my development as a team-oriented collaborator within interaction design contexts.
よだかの星 (Yodaka no Hoshi – The Nighthawk Star). BISIA 330: Arts-in-Practice. Autumn 2024. Video.
In this video project, I created a cover and original music video for Yodaka no Hoshi by the band Sound Horizon. I re-recorded the song and produced a three-minute and eleven-second video using Adobe After Effects. The project explores themes of self-doubt, isolation, and the search for meaning, which strongly resonate with my personal experiences. Through visual pacing, atmosphere, and editing choices, I sought to translate the emotional intensity of the song into a visual narrative that reflects feelings of not fitting into society, questioning one’s existence, and struggling with confidence, while ultimately emphasizing perseverance and forward movement.
I chose to include this project in my portfolio because it represents my ability to use creative practice as a form of self-reflection and emotional communication. This project demonstrates how I apply artistic tools not only to create aesthetic work, but also to process personal struggles and transform them into something that can connect with others. The positive feedback and recognition I received affirmed the power of art as a shared experience, and reinforced my understanding of creative work as both a personal and communal practice. Through this project, I learned how arts-in-practice can serve as a bridge between individual emotion and collective resonance.
Time-Themed Visual Media Project. BIS 209: Engaging Visual and Media. Autumn 2024.
In this project for BIS 209, I explored the abstract artistic concept of “Time” through a personal, Pokémon-inspired visual media work. Rather than focusing on live performance or physical presence, I chose drawing and animation as my primary modes of expression after reviewing animation-based student examples. The project traces a timeline of my life through different stages, beginning with early childhood memories associated with Pokémon games such as Pokémon Yellow, transitioning into my high school experience in the United States, and concluding with my present creative process. The work incorporates hand-drawn visuals, video editing, and a self-recorded song cover, synthesizing sound and image to represent emotional shifts across time.
I chose to include this project in my portfolio because it demonstrates my ability to translate personal memory and emotional experience into visual and media-based storytelling. This assignment challenged me to experiment with unfamiliar tools such as audio recording, video editing software, and animation techniques, while also requiring sustained time management and creative problem-solving. Although I recognized areas for improvement, particularly in drawing skills and production scheduling, I found the process deeply rewarding. This project reflects my growth in engaging with visual media as both a technical practice and a reflective method for examining identity, memory, and change over time.
Time and Release. BISIA 344: Video Art. Autumn 2024.
In this video art project for BISIA 344, I created a reflective and emotionally driven video that explores the theme of Time alongside personal transformation. While my work still carries elements of a confessional video mode, this project intentionally shifts toward expressing more positive emotions and release. The video combines visual imagery, symbolic narrative, and an audio clip from a song cover that I am also using for my final project in another course, allowing the piece to function as a summary of my creative work throughout the quarter. By layering sound and image, I sought to represent the time and emotional energy I have invested across multiple courses during the semester.
The video revisits the recurring motif of being haunted by a “nightmare,” first introduced in an earlier assignment, but reframes it through growth and encouragement. Unlike previous works, this piece emphasizes breaking free from anxiety and obsessive thought patterns through support, positive feedback, and creative expression. The final image of a clock moving forward symbolizes letting go of negative emotions and progressing toward a brighter future. I chose to include this project in my portfolio because it demonstrates my growing ability to use video art as a medium for emotional processing, synthesis of coursework, and conceptual continuity. This project reflects my development in integrating sound, symbolism, and personal narrative into a cohesive video art practice, while also marking a shift from introspection toward healing and forward motion.