By Zhaoyi (Joy) Mou, graduate student, MFA Design, USC Roski School of Art and Design; ICT Student Volunteer
My journey into ICT began when I was browsing through the courses offered on the Viterbi School website. I had never heard of Affective Computing before, but after looking up its definition, I instinctively felt that it made sense. That intuition was what set me on the path toward ICT.
I earned my bachelor’s degree at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, where I focused on industry-driven Graphic Design and UI/UX. In my senior year UX class, I discovered a curiosity for scientific research. With the rapid growth of emerging technologies, I began thinking about how to create a more sustainable way for technology and health to coexist, rather than relying on short-term fixes. Around that time, I had already started exploring how to help family members of depression patients—who often have no professional caregiver training—provide both emotional and physical support while also protecting their own well-being. I realized that one of the hardest parts for family members is identifying emotions in daily life. This curiosity led me to apply for a role with the Affective Computing Group.
This summer, under the guidance of Dr. Jonathan Gratch, I manually annotated emotions in communication dialogues between Chinese buyers and sellers, then analyzed them after aligning with different large language models (LLMs). I had never spent so much time thinking about emotions in everyday contexts, and it made me see language in a new way. Competing with AI in emotion recognition also gave me the chance to reflect on both my own interpretations and the system’s, and to think about how LLMs might support humans in understanding emotions.
One of my favorite moments at ICT was tied to my English name, Joy. On psychological emotion measurement scales, “joy” appears as the first emotion, which might explain my connection to Affective Computing. Early on, while annotating emotions, I left the first column blank because I thought “Joy” referred to me. My advisor pointed out that Joy was also an emotion, and we both laughed—probably a mistake an AI wouldn’t make.
Spending the summer at ICT changed how I see research and gave me a strong foundation for my future path. Whether I go on to pursue a PhD in HCI or continue as an artist, I measure success by whether I feel fulfilled and happy in the process—something I experienced often at ICT. That feeling is what pushes me to keep going and to work toward a future shaped by my own vision.
For anyone interested in applying to ICT, I would suggest reaching out to current members to share what you are working on and what you hope to achieve. Those conversations can open doors.
The transition from art and design to a research institute wasn’t always easy, but it was worth it. I found myself communicating, organizing ideas, and responding in new ways.
I’m grateful to ICT—and to Dr. Gratch, James Hale and all the amazing people I met here—for creating an environment where questions are welcomed and ideas are explored openly. That culture builds confidence while also setting a high bar, one I hope to carry into my own work. I plan to keep working at the intersection of design, psychology, and AI. I believe emotional intelligence is not only a human skill but also a systems challenge, and it’s one that design and research need to address together. My time at ICT showed me that thoughtful, careful work in this space is both possible and urgently needed.
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