This paper investigates how a digitally mediated moving-image installation can reopen the interpretation of a culturally familiar auspicious symbol. In Chinese visual culture, the pine tree commonly signifies blessing, longevity, and moral constancy, yet its familiarity can also stabilize cultural expectations and make them seem natural. Unsettling the Auspicious Pine addresses this condition through a moving-image installation that reconfigures the relation between pine imagery, human bodies, and exhibition space. Using compositing, superimposition, slowed pacing, repeated framing, and synchronized sound, the work produces a reflective encounter in which auspicious imagery shifts from reassurance to tension and ambiguity. A pilot study with 12 viewers indicates that the installation can slow symbolic recognition, complicate the benign reading of the pine tree, and foreground the role of atmosphere and spatial staging in interpretation. These early responses point toward future work in comparative installation formats, more structured audience study, and broader public presentation. The project contributes to C&C as a practice-based inquiry into how moving-image installation can reshape the conditions of viewing and reopen culturally inherited meaning.

Space exploration has advanced rapidly, but the emotional needs of astronauts on long-duration missions remain underexplored. We present ReHome Earth, a dual-component design approach addressing space homesickness: 1) a future-oriented installation concept integrating transparent OLED displays with spaceship windows for real-time Earth connectivity, and 2) a functional VR prototype simulating astronaut isolation for testing AI-generated content effectiveness. Since accessing astronauts during missions is impossible, we conducted concept validation with terrestrial participants experiencing geographic displacement. Through evaluation with 84 proxy participants and 6 HCI experts, we demonstrate strong emotional resonance and validate three design implications: emotional pacing mechanisms, explainable biophysical feedback systems, and evolution from individual tools to collective affective infrastructure. Our contributions include a technically feasible space installation concept, a functional VR prototype for space HCI research, and empirical insights into the design of AI-driven emotional support systems for extreme isolation environments.

Game design for older adults (GDOA) is a multidisciplinary research area gaining attention in human-computer interaction (HCI), yet a comprehensive understanding of its current state and future directions remains limited. Through the visualized results by bibliometric methods, this study analyses the current state of GDOA research and identifies key research hotspots and emerging trends. Based on the Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases, Citespace and VOSviewer were employed to generate visual knowledge maps of publication volume, disciplinary distribution, high-impact countries, institutions, authors, frequent keywords, and highly cited references in the GDOA research field. The current research themes in GDOA focus on four main areas: Game and Experience Design for Older Adults, Exergames for Active Ageing in Older Adults, Serious Games for Cognitive and Mental Health, and Gamification Elements and Motivational Interventions. Finally, this study discusses the findings and suggests potential future research directions.

Alive Yi 2.0 combines cultural heritage, design innovation, and artificial intelligence (AI) to preserve and reimagine Yi minority embroidery patterns.Using a curated database of traditional Yi embroidery patterns, we implemented LoRA-based AI models to generate new designs that maintain cultural authenticity while enabling contemporary interpretations.This work transforms traditional patterns into modern variations through fine-tuned stable diffusion models, creating designs that respect cultural elements while appealing to younger generations.Our approach demonstrates the potential of AI-assisted design in cultural heritage preservation and provides a framework for using computational creativity to revitalize traditional heritage in the digital era.

Visual narrative methodologies provide a more comprehensive and intuitive framework for articulating the multifaceted interactions between human users and computational systems.This workshop guides participants through five segments: image-based storytelling, figure sketching, narrative development, practical exercises, and collaborative critique.Participants learn to translate complex interactive systems into clear visual narratives using both analog and digital techniques.Through structured activities and provided C&C '25, June 23-25, 2025, Virtual, United Kingdom Guo and Gao et al.resources, they develop skills to effectively communicate user experiences, system behaviors, and design concepts across stakeholder groups.The workshop equips both new and experienced practitioners with tools to enhance design communication and cross-cultural collaboration in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).

For designers in the manufacturing industry, discovering design opportunities from large-scale User-Generated Content (UGC) is crucial in physical product conceptual design, yet manual analysis is inefficient. This problem limits product designers’ ability and hinders the manufacturing industry’s ability to produce products that do not easily meet users’ needs. This study proposes Co-Designer, a human–AI collaboration framework that helps designers efficiently discover opportunities from UGC. To ensure the development of software that designers need, this study proposed a formative study with eight professional designers, who identified workflow pain points and requirements for AI support. Based on these insights, Co-Designer applies Aspect-Based Sentiment Analysis (ABSA) to transform UGC into a structured “aspect–sentiment" knowledge base, enabling an AI design partner that adapts to designer profiles and dynamically acts as an “analyst" or “creative teammate." Following the Double Diamond design model, it can invoke workflows to translate insights into design strategies. To evaluate the software’s system availability, this study used a mixed-methods approach with 10 designers, complemented by expert evaluation, which showed that Co-Designer significantly improves efficiency, insight, creativity, and planning. This work introduces a new paradigm positioning AI as a strategic collaborator and creativity catalyst in physical product concept design.

Edible intangible cultural heritage, such as sugar painting, is eph-emeral and difficult to preserve. This work presents an AI-driven Mixed Reality (MR) pipeline that captures, semantically analyzes, and dynamically animates static sugar paintings using Meta Quest 3. The system employs OpenAI’s vision capabilities to classify traditional motifs into five culturally-appropriate animation categories (Fly, Swim, Walk, Jump, Grow), enabling gesture-based interaction with floating animated artworks. Evaluation with eight participants demonstrates strong cultural authenticity (M=4.50), high AI trustworthiness (M=4.88), and enhanced artistic engagement (M=4.75). Unlike traditional static documentation, this approach reactivates finished artworks as interactive cultural interfaces, transforming ephemeral heritage into persistent, spatially-aware digital experiences that maintain semantic fidelity while enabling cultural transmission and creative reinterpretation.

This research explores the computational empowerment of intangible cultural heritage through interactive generative platforms. Prototypes in TouchDesigner software visualize traditional Kam minority patterns by applying particle system effects to highlight symbolic meanings. Users actively transform heritage visuals through real-time interaction, fostering cultural appreciation. Technical realization involves visual programming to construct specialized generative workflows. Phases of diffusion and dissipation of culturally significant motifs are configured procedurally. Preliminary explorations will inform training generative AI models by discerning cultural logic. The goal is an adaptive living database where tradition evolves algorithmically. This pioneering approach synergizes heritage and technology to maintain intangible culture. It provides a model for participatory digital curation where communities actively shape legacies. Limitations around complexity persist. However, the research pioneers cultural resilience through computational creativity.

This paper presents an innovative markerless motion capture system to streamline 3D animation workflows using spatial computing and deep learning. We employ off-the-shelf cameras and neural networks to automatically reconstruct 3D joint positions from video. Our lightweight solution retargets motions onto character rigs without manual intervention. With accurate real-time tracking of up to 30 fps, our system has faster processing than the previous method. Our system contributes an easy-to-use, cost-effective motion capture solution by replacing specialized equipment with learned spatial reasoning. This work democratizes immersive content creation by streamlining motion capture based on computer vision and deep learning, helping make high-fidelity capture broadly accessible.

Reconstructing Identity harnesses Augmented Reality (AR) technology to prompt introspection and dialogue on identity and societal roles in an era of upheaval and unpredictability. It offers a space for contemplation and experimentation. The work invites audiences into a virtual overlay of reality, allowing them to engage with and reflect on the complexities of self-identity and societal expectations. By integrating AR, the artwork creates an immersive environment, enhancing the interaction between the audience and the art. This approach emphasizes the potential of AR in deepening the understanding of our place in a complex world and exploring personal identity. In this artwork, AR enables a deeper connection with the audience, encouraging them to contemplate and experiment with the deconstruction of self-objectification.

Fashion serves as a means to not only present an enhanced version of oneself but also to actively become a better individual through its influence. Meanwhile, the rapid development of AI technology has brought more possibilities in the tech-assisted personal fashion domain. We review the literature regarding imitation theory, fashion psychology, and the changes in fashion paradigms. Leveraging these theories, we propose a future personalized fashion solution: a fashion stylist chatbot that is capable of generating inspirational fashion styles on virtual representations of our bodies. Differentiating from previous work, this solution can help us build our wardrobe starting from thinking about our psychosocial aspects.

Due to dwindling populations, rural communities frequently encounter difficulties in economic growth and conserving their cultural heritage. These challenges are often the result of younger generations moving to urban areas in search of better opportunities, leaving behind an aging population that struggles to maintain traditional practices and stimulate local economies. Innovative entertainment forms such as Immersive XR and theater-style LARPing games are emerging as potential solutions to these challenges. These immersive experiences, particularly appealing to younger demographics, can attract and engage them back in rural revitalization efforts. By integrating modern entertainment with cultural preservation, they present an opportunity to bridge the gap between tradition and innovation, thus injecting life into these communities. This paper carefully evaluates the potential benefits and challenges of integrating these technologies into rural revitalization initiatives, drawing on successful case studies for support. It aims to improve our understanding of the possible impact of immersive XR and theater-style LARPing on rural revitalization efforts. Additionally, the paper strives to provide insightful recommendations to guide future research and development in this increasingly important field.