About Me

Hi😊~ My name is Hongbo. I am a Phd Candidate in the College of Computer Science at Zhejiang University. I’m majoring in Design Science and working with Prof. Lingyun Sun. I focus on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). My main research area includes intelligent and generative system, XR + AI, and human-AI collaboration. My work has been published at some top-tire HCI venues, such as TOCHI, IJHCS, CHI, UIST, and CSCW.

Research

During my Phd, I think of my research in the three categories below.

1️⃣Proposing User-centered Interactive and Generative Creation System

Generative AI has subverted the traditional creative mode. However, AI research always focuses on technological innovation, resulting in designers and creators still needing to adopt computer-centered interaction language (e.g., Bounding Box, semantic map) instead of their familiar design language and material (e.g., Sketch, Graphic Panel, Prototype). From the user-centered perspective, I integrate AI ability in creators’ familiar habits, materials, and tools, proposing efficient and easy-to-use systems.

For example, from the perspective of design materials, I combined the physical prototype material familiar to designers with Gen AI (UIST’24). From the perspective of design procedure, I enabled Gen AI to provide outputs based on the double-drill procedure, a classical design process (IJHCS，under review). From the perspective of design methodology, I integrated traditional design methodologies (e.g., FBS, Co-Evolution) with Gen AI (IJHCI’25).

2️⃣Exploring Intuitive and Embodied Creation Method in “AI+XR”

Cognitive processes flow wherever it is cheaper to perform them, and the information representation modes are a way of changing creation and cognition. The creation space containing the physical world has distinct strengths, such as increasing sensorial stimuli, allowing tangible tests, and enhancing collaboration. I am interested in the intuitive and embodied creation method by combining AI and XR, exploring an intelligent, embodied, and generative creation space.

For example, I proposed a prototype method combining the physical world and Gen AI (TOCHI’23). I explored the best practice of combining various AR approaches with Gen AI in different design tasks through empirical research (CHI’25). Based on these theoretical guidelines, I utilized AR devices to implement embodied creation systems, such as Microsoft HoloLens (CSCW’25) and Apple Vision Pro (CHI’25).

3️⃣Understanding Cognition and Creativity in Human-AI Co-creation

Gen AI can be a co-creator, changing the traditional creation paradigm, as well as cognition and creativity. The generative variability and uncertainty effectively expanded designers’ creative exploration boundaries. It can also take over complex and tedious expression tasks so that designers can focus on creative contributions. I understand the cognition and creativity in human-AI co-creation. I also pay attention to the relationship between human&human and human&machine in co-creation.

For example, I understand how creative stimulus combinations impact design outcomes and processes (Thinking Skill & Creativity’24). I also conducted an exploratory study on can AI awareness impact human-AI design collaboration (IUI’25).