Somang Nam

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Somang Nam is an emerging researcher working at the intersection of human-computer interaction, communication, and design, with a distinctive focus on the aesthetics and affective qualities of voice and sound in digital interfaces. Nam's work centers on **kawaii vocalics** — the study of how the Japanese concept of "kawaii" (cuteness, vulnerability, and charm) can be expressed and experienced through vocal and auditory design in technology. Their pioneering research examines how these qualities translate across cultural contexts into user experiences with voice assistants, social robots, virtual characters, and video games. Nam's most cited work, "Can Voice Assistants Sound Cute? Towards a Model of Kawaii Vocalics" (2023, 16 citations), introduces one of the first systematic frameworks for understanding cuteness as an acoustic and communicative phenomenon in AI-driven interfaces. A companion paper extending this model into gaming contexts has also gained early traction with 9 citations. Though early in their research career, Nam is carving out a genuinely novel scholarly niche, bridging Japanese aesthetic theory with practical UX and interface design. Their contributions offer valuable frameworks for designers and researchers seeking to understand how emotional and cultural meaning is conveyed through synthetic and designed voices.