Ph.D. in Design

Post-doctoral Researcher

Brief Introduction

Dr. XU Chen specializes in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of design thinking, healthcare, and educational innovation. During her doctoral studies in Design at Sungkyunkwan University (South Korea), she focused on addressing the social pressures and mental health challenges faced by China’s younger generation. She developed a human-centered design (HCD)-based art therapy process model, integrating tools such as card sorting and dynamic service blueprints to systematically enhance therapists’ capacity for personalized interventions. This approach significantly improved user engagement and satisfaction in therapeutic processes, establishing a reusable methodological framework for applying design methodologies to mental health practices.As a core member of two key research projects in Hebei Province, she explored transformative mechanisms for integrating design thinking into regional educational collaboration. Her academic contributions include nine peer-reviewed articles in Chinese and Korean core journals such as Art Work, Art Panorama, and Design Research. Currently, Dr. Xu’s research prioritizes AI-driven optimization of art therapy processes, investigating design thinking’s potential to advance healthcare equity. She is committed to building a health ecosystem that deeply integrates academic innovation with social services.

Research

Design Thinking

Art Healing

Human-centered Design

Service Innovation

Academic and social Post

Member，International Association for Creative Arts in Education and Therapy (IACAET)，2024–present

Education Background

2021.09-2024.08  Ph.D. in Design，Sungkyunkwan University，South Korea

2017.09-2020.01  M.A. in Design，Northeastern University (China)，China

2012.09-2016.07  B.A. in Literature，Liaoning Petrochemical University，China

Work Experience

2025.04-present  Post-doctoral Researcher，College of Design and Innovation，Tongji University

Design

2024-present  Hebei Provincial Education Examination Authority Key Research Project: Comparative Study on College Entrance Examination and Admissions Systems Between Chinese and South Korean Higher Education Institutions (Research Member)

2024-present  Tangshan Municipal Humanities and Social Sciences Research Project: Research on Development Pathways of Basic Education in Tangshan Under the Beijing-Tianjin-Tangshan Educational Consortium (Research Member)

Publications

[1] Chen, X., & Koo, J. J. (2024). A study on the impact of art therapy characteristics on treatment acceptance intentions: Focusing on China's MZ generation. Design Research, 9(1), 181–197.

[2] Chen, X., & Koo, J. J. (2023). Contrasting traditional Korean-Chinese patterns: Focusing on the study of the breast vessels of civil officials in the late Joseon Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty. Design Research, 8(4), 605–618.

[3] Huo, K., Li, Y., & Chen, X. (2019). Research on design innovation and teaching reform based on competition-based education. Drama Home, (29), 180.

[4] Huo, K., & Chen, X. (2019). Upholding academic ethics and promoting academic integrity: Necessity and importance of academic ethics construction in art universities. Drama Home, (24), 155–157.

[5] Huo, K., & Chen, X. (2019). Research on propaganda media in "Manchukuo" magazines. Art and Design (Theory), 2(3), 47–48.

[6] Huo, K., & Chen, X. (2019). Study on "Manchukuo" newspaper advertisements and their influence. Art Panorama, (1), 105–107.

[7] Huo, K., & Chen, X. (2018). Exploration and practice of cultivating top innovative art and design talents in science and engineering universities. Design, (9), 82–83.

[8] Huo, K., & Chen, X. (2018). Heroism and resistance: Style and impact of Anti-Japanese War propaganda posters in Northeast China. Art Work, (6), 48–52.

[9] Huo, K., & Chen, X. (2018). Exploration and practice of regional design innovation demonstration center’s educational model. Hunan Packaging, 33(5), 102–104.

Exhibitions

[1] KISM 2018 Spring International Design Invitation Exhibition，March 2018

[2] ICC 2017 International Digital Design Invitation Exhibition，December 2017

Honors and Awards

[1] 2021  Sungkyunkwan University Honor Scholarship

[2] 2019  National Scholarship

[3] 2019  First Prize in Teaching Achievements，3rd National Youth Cup Art & Design Competition

[4] 2019  Second Prize，China Creative Packaging Design Competition

[5] 2019  Second Prize in Teaching Achievements，2nd National Youth Cup Art & Design Exhibition

[6] 2018  Second Prize，National College Advertising Art Competition

[7] 2018  First Prize，China Creative Packaging Design Competition

[8] 2018  Second Prize in Teaching Achievements，1st "Wisdom Cup" National Art Education Competition

[9] 2018  Milan Special Award，Chinese University Design Works Exhibition at Milan Design Week

Contact

Email: rikaxu@naver.com