By Donghoon Shin, HCDE PhD candidate
In July 2025, I traveled to Funchal, Madeira to attend the ACM Conference on Designing Interactive Systems (DIS 2025), where I presented our paper, What About My Design Context?: Exploring the Use of Generative AI to Support Customization of Translational Research Artifacts. The paper was part of a broader conversation at DIS about how we can make design knowledge more actionable and context-sensitive for practitioners. In our work, we examined how generative AI can help tailor research implications to designers’ unique needs, encouraging both reflection and adaptation rather than one-size-fits-all prescriptions. I presented the paper during a well-attended session, and the feedback was thoughtful and affirming; many attendees resonated with the challenge of bridging the gap between academic insights and real-world design practice.
Beyond the paper presentation, DIS 2025 offered a vibrant and inspiring environment for connecting with researchers and designers from around the world. Sessions were held in a mix of traditional conference venues and more relaxed local spaces that reflected Madeira’s laid-back atmosphere. I especially appreciated the workshops and informal gatherings that encouraged deep conversations about how design methods are evolving in light of new tools like generative AI. There was strong interest in methodological innovation, and I found myself in multiple impromptu discussions about tools, datasets, and future collaborations that could extend the work I presented.
Outside the conference, the setting of Funchal added a memorable backdrop to the trip. From winding walks through the cobbled streets to breathtaking views of the Atlantic, the island's atmosphere balanced the intensity of the academic program with moments of rest and reflection. Evening dinners with other researchers often turned into extended conversations about design, AI, and the future of creative work. Overall, the DIS 2025 trip was a meaningful blend of intellectual engagement and cultural immersion, and it left me energized for the next stage of this research.
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The Mary B. Coney Endowed Fund, named in honor of Emeritus Professor Mary Coney, supports HCDE students by funding costs associated with travel to conferences and international workshops. Your support of this fund enriches the HCDE student experience and enhances HCDE's influence in the field.