Xiaotian Sun

Cross-Media Artist & Designer
Expert in Interactive Design

Beijing, China  xiaotian.sun@cornell.edu

Professional Summary



A cross-media designer and artist with a PhD in Interactive Design, blending academic rigor with innovative creativity. Graduated from the Royal College of Art (UK) and Kyushu University (Japan), and served as a Visiting Scholar at Cornell University (USA). Research and practical directions include interactive design and information experience of information-based touch, smell, and taste, and have published multiple international papers. Top conferences and SCI papers explore the relationship between humans and machines in the information age. Member of the Asian Digital Art and Design Association, Member of China Graphic and Image Society, member of China Mechanical Engineering Society. I am also a lecturer and master's supervisor in the Department of Industrial Design at North China University of Technology in Beijing, China.


跨媒介艺术家与设计师，交互设计方向哲学博⼠，毕业于英国皇家艺术学院与⽇本九州⼤学,康奈尔大学访问学者。研究和作品实践方向包括信息化触觉，嗅觉以及味觉的交互设计与信息体验，发表多篇国际顶会以及SCI论文。作品多以装置、电⼦系统等呈现，探索信息时代的⼈机的关系。现工作生活于北京。亚洲数字艺术与设计协会会员，中国图形图像学会会员，中国机械工程学会会员。




Education



Kyushu University — PhD in Design Strategy, Interaction Design

Sep 2015 – Mar 2019 | Japan

Research Focus: Interaction Design in Kiyoshi Tomimatsu Lab.




Royal College of Art — Master of Arts in Information Experience Design

Sep 2013 – May 2015 | UK




Dalian University of Technology — Bachelor of Engineering in Industrial Design

Sep 2005 – Jul 2009 | China




Professional Experience


Cornell University — Visiting Scholar, Human-Centered Design

Feb 2025 – Feb 2026 | USA

Conducted research in the Design and Augmented Intelligence Lab under Porf. Saleh Kalantari.



North China University of Technology — Lecturer & Master Supervisor

Oct 2022 – Present | Beijing, China



Beijing Jiaotong University — Postdoctoral Researcher & Lecturer

Oct 2019 – Aug 2022 | Beijing, China



Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology — Visiting Lecturer

Mar 2015 – Jul 2015 | Beijing, China




Key Projects & Exhibitions




2024

• Solo Exhibition: Some Romantic Entropy Between Certainty and Randomness, Qimu Space, Beijing.




2023

• Interactive Installation: Flavorgraphy, collaboration with Snow Beer, Xi’an.

• AI Painting Project: ART021, Shanghai.




2021

• Brand Collaboration: Rolls-Royce, AI Painting Project, Beijing.

• Interactive Installation: Flavorgraphy, ART021, Shanghai.




2019

• Breathing Interactive Installation, Nanshan Museum, Shenzhen.

• Scentgraphy Interactive Installation, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Japan.




2018

• Scentgraphy Interactive Installation, Copenhagen, Denmark & Qimu Space, Beijing.




2016

• Breathing Interactive Installation, Audi Future Materials Exhibition, Beijing Design Week.




2014

• Quantum Love, Physics in Dark Space Exhibition, Shoreditch Town Hall, London.




Awards & Honors

• China Design Award, 2018.

• Asia Digital Art Award, 2015.

• Helen Hamlyn Design Award Nominee, 2015.

• Adobe Design Achievement Awards Nominee, 2015.







Publications




Journal Articles

• Lu, S., Wang, Y., Yin, M., Jiao, J., & Sun, X.** (2024). High-Sensitivity Ultra-Soft Curvature Sensor-Based Data Glove with LED Feedback. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics.

• Sun, X., & Lu, S., Jiaqi, F. (2023). Enhancing Hand Rehabilitation Through Interactive Design. CAAI Artificial Intelligence Research.

• Sun, X., & Mao, S., Guo, D., Han, J. (2021). Study on the Olfactory Landscape of the Shichahai Area in Beijing. ICSPHS Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International.

• Sun, X., & Guo, D. (2024). Harmonious Innovation: Exploring Intelligent Maternity Product Design in the Information Age. China Arts, 1(2024):16-27.

• Liu, Y., Sun, X., & Wei, Y. (2023). Post-Pandemic Cross-Campus Teaching Modes for Graduation Exhibitions in Art Schools. Arts and Design: Theoretical Edition, 2(2023):55-58.

• Sun, X. (2021). Development and Design Research of Olfactory Informatization Products. Packaging Engineering.

• Sun, X. (2021). Application of Modern Mechanical Product Design in Interaction Development. Mechanical Design.

• Sun, X., & Lu, S. (2021). Design Method of Handicrafts Based on Fusion of Multi-Intelligent Decision Algorithms. Scientific Programming.

• Sun, X. (2014). Sensational Technology – Analysis of the Future Trends of Wearable Devices. Arts and Design: Theoretical Edition, 11(2014):3.




Conference Papers

• Sun, X. (2022). The Smell of the Scene – Mapping the Digital Smell of Scenes Around Beijing. In: Shuichi Fukuda (Ed.), Affective and Pleasurable Design. AHFE International Conference, Vol. 41, AHFE Open Access.

• Sun, X., & Lu, S. (2018). Scentgraphy - Interactive Installation of Scent Communication. 7th EAI International Conference: ArtsIT, Interactivity & Game Creation.

• Sun, X., & Tomimatsu, K. (2017). Breathe Calligraphy – Bio-Sensing Real-Time Interactive Installation. ADADA International Conference Proceedings.

• Sun, X., & Team (2017). Breath Is to Be Perceived – Breathing Signal Sharing for Remote Emotional Communication. 5th International Conference on Design, User Experience, and Usability (DAPI), HCI International 2017, Vol. 10291, Springer Verlag.

• Sun, X., & Team (2016). Breathing Shelter – Relieving Urban Pressure Through Breath Control. ADADA International Conference Proceedings.







Professional Memberships

• Member, Asia Digital Arts and Design Association International.

• Member, China Society of Graphics and Image Science.

• Member, China Mechanical Engineering Society.