About – Martijn Kors

I design immersive interactive experiences that shape how people think and feel about issues in reality, and conduct user research to answer how and why they work, or don’t.

As a designer and researcher of immersive interactive experiences with a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction, I explore the design opportunities and challenges that define the line between reality and virtuality. I unpack user experience and explain how and why interactive experiences work (or don’t), drawing lessons for new iterations and future designs.

I specialize in creating and evaluating immersive interactive experiences that challenge people’s perceptions of reality, and I’m comfortable working at the crossroads of immersive technologies, applied games, empathy, and persuasion. I also have experience in creating prototypes to explore new design spaces, test hypotheses, validate design ideas, and illustrate abstract concepts in an applied format.

During my doctoral program, I conducted design-oriented research to gain insight into the empathy-arousing and attitude-changing opportunities and challenges of narrative-driven immersive (XR) interactive experiences.

My work has been recognized in leading Human-Computer Interaction conferences, such as ACM CHI, and I’ve contributed to organizing international conferences and events, including the Persuasive Games conference, ACM CHI Play symposium, and Fukushima Film Festival VR expo. I’m also proud to have collaborated with non governmental organizations like Amnesty International, Greenpeace, OurPlanetTV, and UNICEF to leverage immersive interactive content and technologies for social causes.

If you are interested in the intersection of Immersive Technologies, Persuasive Games, and Empathy, I invite you to explore my book, which presents a comprehensive scientific investigation of these subjects. It offers insights, illustrative projects, and recommendations for design. To obtain a copy, please feel free to download it in PDF format or contact me via e-mail for additional information and/or a physical copy.

You can contact me via

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I plan, carry out, and report on (user) studies using scientific qualitative and mixed methods approaches (e.g., experiments, field studies, thematic analysis and content analysis) to gain insights into attitudes and behaviors, and to generate design recommendations.

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I'm well-versed in design thinking and employ an analytical thought process to address design issues.

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I'm specialized in conceptualizing, designing, and evaluating games, interactive narratives, and (embodied) virtual reality / mixed reality experiences.

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I conceptualize and produce prototypes to exemplify and evaluate ideas.

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I communicate professionally, both orally and in writing, and publish in leading Human-Computer Interaction and Game conference proceedings and journals.

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I have experience coaching students and managing student design teams.

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I evaluate scientific and state-of-the-art work and distill untapped opportunities and challenges.

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I follow an iterative design approach to generate context-aware solutions for both problem statements and novel design spaces.

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I tinker with electronics, game engines, and visual tools including Adobe Photoshop, Autodesk 3Ds Max and Fusion 360, Epic Unreal Engine, Unity, Novarm Diptrace, and the Arduino ecosystem.

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I enjoy spending days on end skimming catalogs, researching and picking the right tools and components for a project.

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I enjoy planning events and trips in minute detail.

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I also know a thing or two about trading the financial markets, producing proper espresso, and preparing low and slow barbeque meals.

2023 - present

IxDF Member,

focused on User Experience Research and Design,

at the Interaction Design Foundation online school.

2013 - 2022

Design Researcher / PhD Candidate,

focused on Immersive Technologies, Applied Games, Empathy, and Persuasion,

at the Industrial Design Department of the Eindhoven University of Technology in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

2018 - 2022

Academy Committee Member,

focused on the Technical Analysis of the Financial Markets,

at the B&R Beurs student investment society in Eindhoven, the Netherlands

2013 - 2017

Design Researcher,

focused on Extended Reality and Applied Games,

at the Civic Interaction Design research group of the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

2010 - 2013

Master of Science in Industrial Design

at the Eindhoven University of Technology in Eindhoven, the Netherlands
Awarded with “Best graduation project of 2013”

2009 - 2010

Joint Master of the Arts in Game Design for Digital Cultures

at the Open University in United Kingdom in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom and University of the Arts Utrecht in Utrecht, the Netherlands.

2006 - 2010

Bachelor in Game Design and Development

at the University of the Arts Utrecht in Hilversum, the Netherlands.

2010 - 2010

Course in Japanese Language

at the Utrecht University in Utrecht, the Netherlands.

2008 - 2009

Game Designer and 3D modeler/texturer Intern

at Sticky Studios in Utrecht, the Netherlands

2002 - 2006

HAVO with a focus on Nature & Health (Highschool)

at the St. Vituscollege in Bussum, the Netherlands