Min Jung Koo
Interaction Design
Abstract
As a designer, I’m passionate about creating products that seamlessly blend functionality with emotion. I am deeply intrigued by the impact of human connection and togetherness, particularly in a world where people are often consumed by busyness and may overlook moments of genuine connection.

My thesis project is centered around exploring the potential of ambient sounds to foster emotional connections between individuals, especially in the context of familial relationships. I believe that ambient sounds, often overlooked or ignored in daily life, possess the power to evoke deep-seated emotions and memories. Through my work, I seek to harness this potential to create products that not only facilitate communication but also cultivate emotional connections and strengthen familial bonds.

By incorporating principles of emotional design and human-centered interaction, I aim to reimagine ways in which individuals can connect with their loved ones, regardless of physical distance. Through thoughtful design and simple technology, I strive to bridge the gap between physical separation and emotional closeness, allowing people to cherish and nurture their relationships in meaningful ways.
Various shapes and sizes of white bottles laid out in front of a window.
Min Jung Koo, Prototype The Bottle, 2024. Photo, Image courtesy of the artist.
A desk scene with a white bottle with a cork laid horizontally on the table as a decoration.
Min Jung Koo, Prototype in Participant’s Home, 2024. Photo, Image courtesy of the artist.
Various pieces of paper with drawings of a table with chairs and a bowl of fruit. On the papers it reads "Space of Belonging. Fostering Emotional Connections Among Remote Family Members" in simple black text.
Min Jung Koo, Diaries from Diary Study, 2024. Photo, Image courtesy of the artist.
A large bottle with a green top and two smaller pieces of pottery to the right laid out in a line. Below it are pictures of the bottles in use.
Min Jung Koo, Ambiance, 2024. Design installation. Photo: Rosaline Dou.
Committee
Meichun Liu, Chair
Dominic Muren
Sang-gyeun Ahn
Education
MFA, Interaction Design, University of Washington, 2024

BDes, Industrial Design, University of Washington, 2021
Contact
Awards + Accomplishments
2023-2024, Gonzales Graduate Student Scholarship for Excellence in Design, University of Washington
Previous
Next