Hyunchae Cheong
Hyunchae Cheong is a designer, researcher, and educator based in Japan.
She holds a master’s degree in Design and a Ph.D. in Art from Tama Art University and has worked across professional design practice, research, and higher education. She is currently a Junior Associate Professor in the Faculty of Information Science and Collaborative Innovation at Nagano University, where she teaches and conducts research in visual communication and design.
Her research explores how design can create new relationships and possibilities among people, communities, and society. With a particular interest in social design and social innovation, she approaches design practice as a mode of inquiry through Research through Design and practice-based research.
PROFILE
EDUCATION
2016.04–2019.03
Ph.D. in Art
Tama Art University, Tokyo, Japan
Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship
2014.04–2016.03
Master’s Degree in Design
Tama Art University, Tokyo, Japan
Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship
2009.03–2013.02
Bachelor’s Degree
Department of Visual Design, Tongmyong University, Busan, South Korea
ACADEMIC & PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2026.04–Present
Junior Associate Professor
Faculty of Information Science and Collaborative Innovation, Nagano University
Nagano, Japan
2022.04–2026.03
Assistant Professor
Graduate School of Art and Design, Tama Art University
Tokyo, Japan
2019.12–2022.04
Creative Director
Samsung Electronics Japan
Tokyo, Japan
2019.04–2019.11
Designer
Kenma Inc.
Tokyo, Japan
2014.03–2019.03
Freelance Graphic Designer
2012.03–2014.02
KDM 5th
Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP)
Busan, South Korea
EXHIBITIONS
2026
NA (EGO), Narratives of Memory
Galerie Chêne, Tokyo
2024
Where the First Breeze of Design Touches
Tokyo Midtown Design Hub, Tokyo
2022
Design Anthropology Declaration!
TUB, Tokyo
2021
NA (EGO), Exclusively Personal Stories
3331 Arts Chiyoda, Tokyo
2020
International Invitational Exhibition 2020
KWVD
2019
Ph.D. Graduation Exhibition 2019
Tama Art University, Tokyo
2017
Challenge Art in Japan 2017
KOCIS, Tokyo
2017
International Student Fair Program
ACT, Tokyo
2017
84TH GAKUM — Fill Colorful Sympathy on the Moment
LUDA, Seoul
2015
ECO-EXPO KOREA 2015, TU.V
COEX, Seoul
2015
UPCYCLE 2nd BIRTHDAY, TU.V
Hyundai, Seoul
2013
Seoul Design Festival 2013, TU.V
COEX, Seoul
2012
Seoul Design Festival 2012, Team Andamiro
COEX, Seoul
