Star field / sketching / drawing / XR
Tianyi Xiao
I build immersive tools for spatial intelligence and creative expression, treating sketching like a brushstroke for memory, design, and collaboration.
- 01Spatial intelligence
- 02Creative interfaces
- 03Spatial cognition
Studio note
My research sits at the intersection of HCI, geography, and visual thinking. I use 3D sketch mapping, VR/AR, and generative AI to turn spatial ideas into expressive, testable, and communicable artifacts.
Research constellation
Three themes, one creative language
Spatial Intelligence
Sketch, infer, and externalize memory
I explore how freehand drawing and generative models can help people preserve, transform, and recall spatial knowledge.
Creative Interfaces
XR tools that feel like a studio
I design VR and AR systems that let researchers and non-experts build spatial artifacts with more freedom, less strain, and richer expression.
Spatial Cognition
Study how environments shape perception
I evaluate how people perceive, remember, and communicate 3D space by combining experiments, behavioral data, and EEG-informed analysis.
Selected works
Recent pieces from the sketch map universe
Sketch2Terrain
Generative AR sketching for terrain mapping, efficiency, and expressive spatial design.
IJHCS 2024VResin
A layer-by-layer VR sketching interface for externalizing spatial memory with less distortion.
CHI 2026CoMap
A collaborative 3D sketch mapping game for shared spatial communication in search and rescue.
Creative lens
Sketching is my way of painting with space: every layer is a memory, every stroke a hypothesis.
Current focus
- 3D sketch mapping in extended reality
- Creative and analytical tools for spatial communication
- Drawing-driven interfaces for memory and collaboration
Contact