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Seven students from the Department of Industrial Design were named finalists at the 2023 PIN UP Concept Design Awards

Three student teams at the Department of Industrial Design were named as finalists in the Product Industry category, with one team chosen in the Corporate category of HK Kolmar. Among the projects, Students Ahyeon Seong and Seungeun Kim designed a smart table intended for individuals with dementia in nursing homes called “CHI-CHI-CO.” It serves as a helpful aid for cognitive therapy and communication between patients and caregivers, easing anxiety and fostering interaction. By rotating 180 degrees on the hospital bed, the table turns into a writing platform for using a tablet and a stylus pen, facilitating engagement and therapy sessions for elderly patients with dementia. This equipment enables them to communicate with their caregivers and participate in cognitive and visual therapy, as well as group therapy programs. Caregivers have ready access to patient status updates, helping them to provide reassurance to their patients. The content is divided into categories of communication and therapy, offering a variety of resources.

Students Hyeonseop Shin and Yeji Han have designed "Sun Kim", a device that analyzes fatigue data in modern individuals and helps alleviate daily life stress. Modern individuals often rely on sleep and rest to relieve fatigue. The students collected and utilized data from individuals of all ages, ranging from students to the elderly, to develop their solution. Considering factors such as the user's activity level, sleep duration, and rest intervals, the device offers personalized therapeutic methods. Equipped with sensors and mobility features, Sun Kim can detect the user's location and provide appropriate assistance when the user takes a break.

Real-time pet health monitoring service receiving high marks for technological innovation and social contribution
Students Hyeongmin Im and Uihwan Gwon focused on addressing the emotional impact of losing a family pet. This phenomenon, popularly known as “pet loss syndrome” in Korea, reportedly affects 48.9 percent of pet owners who experience feelings of grief and loss following the passing of their beloved animal companions. In response to this problem, the student team devised a product and service for monitoring pet health in real-time. They selected weight change and coughing as indicators of potential issues. They aimed to track weight fluctuations and sleep patterns through cushions and designed cameras to provide real-time visuals of their pets. On another note, Student Seohyeon Park, who was selected in the corporate category of HK Kolmar, designed Scope, a cosmetic product tailored for the modern lifestyle.

The judges commended the selected works as outstanding examples of technological innovation and social contribution. They were cited as excellent instances of applying advanced IT infrastructure, cutting-edge medical systems, and medical data to healthcare services for vulnerable populations and individuals with specific medical conditions.

Professor Youbin Kim of the Department of Industrial Design, who mentored the student teams, said, “The common thread among the projects is the ability to empathize with users, identify societal issues, and devise solutions through user experience (UX) research leveraging the latest technologies. I anticipate that these exceptional ideas can materialize into inclusive designs that make meaningful contributions to both vulnerable people groups and society at large.”