Hi there! I'm Chiara, I love games, robots and Japan.
I'm a computer scientist and designer from Vienna (Austria). After finishing my bachelors and masters in Media & Human-Centered-Computing at the Technical University of Vienna, I am now pursuing an Experimental-Games master at the University of Applied Arts Vienna (die angewandte). Additionally I've been working as an UX/UI Designer for websites and apps next to my studies since 2022.
Please send me a message at chiarakanya@gmail.com if you would like to work or play together!
Human computer interaction
During my Master’s in Human-Centered Computing, I focused on interaction design, user research and game design. The program combined theory and practice, from media and perception studies to ethical frameworks and design thinking methods. Having built up solid coding skills during my Bachelor's in Media Informatics, I was able to prototype and realise my own interactive projects throughout the course.
A major area of interest for me is Human-Robot Interaction, which I explored in both my bachelor’s and master’s theses. For the latter, I spent a research semester at the Human Interface Lab at the Osaka Institute of Technology, where I studied social robots on site and investigated the importance of cultural background and task context on their acceptance. This hands-on experience continues to shape how I think about the future of interaction between humans and machines.
USER EXPERIENCE/INTERFACE DESIGN
Through my work and studies I've gained solid knowledge and hands-on experience in user research methods such as interviews, usability testing and workshops. I know how important it is to really know and listen to your users, because even the best product is worthless, if it leaves users feel frustrated or lost. Having been a UX Designer since 2022, I've collaborated closely with stakeholders to develop product concepts that are usable, useful and user-centered.
My responsibilities also extend into UI design, where I create high-fidelity designs, typically using Figma. I see UI not just as an aesthetic layer, but as a vital part of the product’s functionality and usability. Additionally, coming from a coding background and having prior worked as a iOS developer for 2 years, I bring a solid understanding of technical feasibility and have worked closely with developers to bridge the gap between design and implementation.
EXPERIMENTAL GAMES
I love creating games that foster awareness and bring people together—something that feels especially important in today’s divided world. My work often explores digital and hybrid forms of play, like Schaufenster der Zukunft, an AR game on a public screen raising awareness for climate change, and Cats Vs. Dogs, a discussion-based game designed to unite people with differing opinions. I believe games are a powerful medium for shifting perspectives and encouraging participation.
With GrätzelGestalten, I created an AR app for participatory neighborhood design, giving Viennese citizens a platform to share ideas and help shape the streets they live on. My latest project, Nothing, is a pixel art game (and short film) inspired by the Japanese concept of Wabi-Sabi. Through minimalist colours, sounds, and forms, it offers a meditative experience—and a critique of the hyperrealism and excess in modern gaming.