National Taichung University of Education

AI-New Art Lab

shih-yun Lu
https://theet3923.wixsite.com/ai-new-media-art-lab/home

Research Field

Cultural Studies

Introduction

Introduction

Dr. Shih-yun Lu is a distinguished academic currently serving as a Professor in the Department of Fine Arts at National Taichung University of Education, Taiwan. He began her academic journey with a Master’s degree in Stage Design from L’Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera di Milano, Italy, in 1998, further advancing her studies with a Ph.D. in Design and Arts from the University of Leeds, School of Design, UK, in 2008, following the award of a Ministry of Education scholarship in 2003. Dr. Lu’s academic career commenced in 2008 at National Taichung University of Education, where he was appointed as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Digital Content Technology. Over the years, her contributions to the development of digital art, new media, and AI-driven creative processes have been significant, leading to her promotion to Associate Professor in 2013 and later to her current role. Her research interests span a broad range of interdisciplinary fields, including digital art, new media art, digital Content, AI in art and design, STEAM education, and the intersection of technology and cultural heritage. Dr. Lu has played a pivotal role in developing and delivering a wide array of courses, such as Digital Art Research, Technology Art, , digital Content and New Media Art Creation, which have greatly contributed to the academic community’s understanding of digital creativity and new media art. Her commitment to integrating innovative teaching methodologies into STEAM education has led to the development of interdisciplinary courses that foster creativity and critical thinking among students. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Dr. Lu has executed multiple educational projects funded by the Ministry of Education, focusing on improving teaching quality and enhancing student learning outcomes through innovative research and practical applications. Her leadership in the AI-New Media Art Lab, a cutting-edge research facility dedicated to advancing AI and new media technologies, reflects her dedication to fostering a collaborative environment where experts from various fields come together to push the boundaries of art and technology. Dr. Lu’s extensive publication record, with articles indexed in Scopus and contributions to the field of artificial intelligence, further underscores her significant impact on the academic and research community. Through her ongoing research, teaching, and leadership, Dr. Lu continues to shape the future of AI and , digital Content, contributing to the development of innovative solutions and interdisciplinary approaches that respond to the evolving demands of society and technology. The AI- New Media Art Lab, where Dr. Lu plays a leading role, is an innovative research and development facility dedicated to advancing AI through cutting-edge technology. The lab is equipped with state-of-the-art tools and resources that enable researchers to conduct precise experiments and develop practical applications aimed at improving AI outcomes in the field of New Media Art Lab. The mission of the AI-New Media Art Lab is to foster a collaborative environment where experts from various fields come together to push the boundaries of New Media Art Lab and technology. Whether the focus is on developing new media devices, exploring AI, or innovating rehabilitation techniques, the lab provides specialized facilities and organized storage for essential equipment, creating an ideal environment for groundbreaking research. Dr. Lu’s commitment to providing the necessary resources and environment for pioneering research is evident in her leadership of the AI- Digital Content. The lab is designed to bring ideas to life, whether the goal is to develop new media technologies, explore AI, or create innovative rehabilitation techniques. The lab’s mission is to collectively shape the future of AI and Digital Content , and Dr. Lu invites you to be a part of their exciting journey.

Areas of Expertise

  • Digital Art: In-depth knowledge and practical experience in creating and teaching digital artwork, encompassing computer-generated imagery, AI-assisted illustration, and digital media integration.
  • New Media Art: Specialized in the innovative use of technology in artistic expression, including video art, interactive installations, and multimedia performances.
  • AI in Art and Design: Focused on exploring AI’s role in the creative process, particularly in visual arts, design optimization, and aesthetic evaluations.
  • STEAM Education: Committed to integrating arts into STEM education, emphasizing the importance of creativity and aesthetics in scientific and technical fields.
  • Theatre, Interactive, and Video Art: Expertise in designing visual elements for stage and screen, combining traditional theatrical techniques with digital innovations, and developing interactive art installations that engage audiences in unique, immersive experiences.
  • Digital Cultural and Creative Industries: Investigating the intersection of technology and culture, particularly in how digital media can support and enhance cultural heritage and creative industries.

Professional Experience

  • 2008 - 2013: Appointed as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Digital Content Technology at National Taichung University of Education. During ther period, I was responsible for courses and research related to digital art and new media, fostering the growth of digital content technology education.
  • 2013 - 2022: Promoted to Associate Professor in the same department. My teaching and research activities expanded to cover areas such as digital art, computer art, AI-driven creative processes, and STEAM education. I developed several interdisciplinary courses that bridged the gap between technology and the arts, contributing significantly to the academic community's understanding of digital creativity and new media art.
  • 2022 - Present: Serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of Fine Arts at National Taichung University of Education. My role involves mentoring students in advanced topics of digital art and media, including AI illustration, digital cultural and creative industries, and the integration of aesthetics with digital technologies. I continue to engage in active research, particularly in AI applications within the arts, aesthetic evaluation methodologies, and the pedagogical advancements in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) education.

The AI-Digital Content Laboratory is an advanced R&D institution committed to pioneering interactive art technology through innovative research and the application of new media technologies. Equipped with cutting-edge tools, including 3D printers and specialized software, the lab enables researchers to explore and develop AI-driven and new media art projects, as well as interactive art applications. The lab fosters a collaborative environment, uniting new media artists across disciplines to push the boundaries of AI, Digital Content, new media, and interactive art. Our mission is to facilitate groundbreaking research that shapes the future of AI digital technology and new media art.


Research Topics
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI): Exploring AI's potential in creative industries, particularly its application in generating visual art, enhancing aesthetic quality, and supporting educational methodologies.
  • STEAM: Developing new educational models that incorporate arts into STEM fields, aiming to foster creativity and critical thinking in students.
  • Aesthetic Evaluation: Researching methods to quantify and evaluate aesthetic experiences in digital and traditional art forms, with a focus on how AI can influence these processes.

Including

  1. AI-Driven Interactive Art Installations: Exploring how artificial intelligence can be used to create dynamic, interactive art installations that respond to environmental stimuli and human interaction.
  2. Generative Art through Machine Learning: Investigating the use of machine learning algorithms to generate new forms of visual and auditory art, pushing the boundaries of creativity and aesthetics.
  3. Augmented Reality in New Media Art: Examining the integration of augmented reality (AR) technologies with traditional and new media art forms to create immersive, multi-sensory experiences.
  4. Digital Fabrication in Art: Exploring the role of 3D printing and other digital fabrication techniques in the production of new media art, focusing on the convergence of technology and materiality.
  5. AI in Virtual Reality Environments: Developing AI-powered virtual environments that adapt in real-time to user interactions, creating personalized and evolving artistic experiences.

Honor

Dr. Shih-yun Lu creative work is marked by a diverse range of artistic expressions, encompassing extensive experience in stage and costume design for various performing arts, as well as contemporary new media art. In recent years, Dr. Shih-yun Lu has integrated her interdisciplinary expertise into her work, which now includes video art, interactive art, and contemporary site-specific installations that blend new media techniques. Her innovative approach has also seen the fusion of electronic textiles, dancers, and interactive theatre arts, showcasing her ability to merge conceptual art with contemporary theatrical audio-visual spatial presentations.

Dr. Shih-yun Lu's creative endeavors have been recognized and presented internationally, including significant works in Italy and the UK. Among these, her participation in the "Exploring Urban Art: A Dialogue Between Contemporary Artists and the Public" project, part of the Leeds City Art Festival, titled Situation Leeds: Contemporary Artists and the Public Realm 0, involved a Virtual Live Free City Bus Net Art and Performing Art Project. Ther work exemplified her ability to engage the public in the artistic process, creating a dialogue between contemporary art and urban spaces. Furthermore, her project Virtual Urban Utopia Diary, an innovative Net Art, Performing Art, and Tech Art initiative, was awarded by the National Culture and Arts Foundation in Taiwan in 2006 under the Technological Arts Creation category. Her contributions to the field were further recognized by the third National Culture and Arts Foundation Techno Art Creation Project, with her work Beyond a Dialogue being selected for support. Through these projects, Dr. [Last Name] has consistently pushed the boundaries of traditional and contemporary art forms, establishing himself as a leading figure in the integration of technology and art in the global artistic community.

Dr. Shih-yun Lu has garnered numerous accolades throughout her distinguished academic and creative career. In 2023, he was awarded the Ministry of Education's 112th Digital Humanities Innovation Talent Cultivation Program for the second phase of the "Technology Walk Taichung" project, as well as a Humanistic Literary and Media Course Award, where he received the Humanities Green Stone Award for Narrative Literature and Media Course. Additionally, he was honored with the 112th Outstanding Teacher Award for Research and Artistic Creation and Performance, and the 112th Excellent Research Teacher Award from National Taichung University of Education. In 2023, Dr. Shih-yun Lu also received the 111th Social Responsibility Practice Excellence Award and the 111th Outstanding Teacher Award for Research and Artistic Creation and Performance. Her achievements in 2022 include receiving the 111th Excellent Research Teacher Award and the 111th Outstanding Creative Digital Teaching Material Award from National Taichung University of Education. Dr. Shih-yun Lu's dedication to innovative teaching was further recognized with the 110th Outstanding Creative Digital Teaching Material Award in 2021, the 109th in 2020, and the 108th in 2019. In 2018, he was selected as the project leader for the Ministry of Education's 107th Teaching Practice Research Program, focusing on the localization of aesthetic narrative imagery of old houses, which was chosen as a highlight project. That same year, he was recognized as an outstanding teacher for her contributions to the Ministry of Education's second phase of the Smart Living Integrated Talent Cultivation Program and received the 106th Outstanding Teaching Material Award for her "Digital Tourism Marketing Design" course module. Her commitment to excellence in teaching earned him the title of Outstanding Teacher at National Taichung University of Education in 2017, a year that also saw him guide a student team to win the Creative Group Grand Prize at the Ministry of Education's 105th Smart Living Presentation and Innovation Competition. Dr. Shih-yun Lu has consistently demonstrated her expertise in integrating technology with art and design, as evidenced by her numerous awards, including the Creative Teaching Media Award for unit-based teaching materials from 2013 to 2017. Her early career highlights include winning the Bronze Medal in the 2005 Leeds City Photography Exhibition in the UK, receiving the National Art Fund's Technological Art Creation Award in 2007, and being selected for various international public art projects, such as the "Tainan-Boston Twin Cities Cultural Exchange Program" in 1999 and the "Salon 1" stage design exhibition in Milan, Italy, in 1998. Dr. Shih-yun Lu's impressive portfolio of awards underscores her significant contributions to the fields of education, art, and technology, solidifying her reputation as a leading figure in these interdisciplinary domains.


Educational Background
  • 1998: Obtained a Master’s degree in Stage Design from L’Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera di Milano, Italy.
  • 2003: Awarded the Ministry of Education scholarship for overseas study, allowing for further academic pursuit.
  • 2008: Graduated with a Ph.D. in Design and Arts from the University of Leeds, School of Design, UK.

2 Vacancies

Job Description

  • 3-month working period.
  • Monthly stipend: NT$ 30,000 (approximately US$1,000).
  • Onsite position at National Taichung University of Education, Taichung, Taiwan.

Preferred Intern Education Level

Current Bachelor’s or Master’s student, or recent graduate in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, New Media Art, or related fields preferred.

Skill sets or Qualities

  1. Utilize Object detection tools such as YoloV8, PyTorch, Python, Matlab and LabVIEW for research and development projects.
  2. Contribute to applying artificial intelligence in Object detection with New Media Art, projects.
  3. Organize and analyze research data using the MS Office Suite, particularly Excel.
  4. Manage time effectively and efficiently while working in the lab.
  5. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
  6. Proficiency in English with minimum scores of TOEFL (iBT) 71, TOEFL (CBT) 197, IELTS 5.5, or TOEIC 750.