Dr. Ezgi İlhan | User experience design | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Ezgi Ilhan is an accomplished academic and designer specializing in industrial design, user experience, and gamification. Born in Ankara in 1985, she has cultivated a rich academic and professional career blending design, technology, and research. Currently serving as Assistant Professor at Gazi University, Ankara, she teaches diverse design courses while actively engaging in innovative research. Dr. Ilhan holds a PhD in Industrial Design from Gazi University, an MSc in Game Technologies from Middle East Technical University (METU), and extensive international exposure through Erasmus at Universidad de Valladolid, Spain. With professional experience spanning product design, game design, and user experience, her work focuses on integrating eye-tracking technologies, usability studies, and human-computer interaction. Dr. Ilhan has published extensively in international journals, presented at global conferences, and earned multiple awards, including the European Product Design Award. Fluent in English, with working knowledge of Spanish and German, she exemplifies multidisciplinary expertise in design innovation.

Profile

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Education

Dr. Ezgi Ilhan pursued diverse academic training blending design, technology, and user experience. She earned her PhD in Industrial Design from Gazi University (2015-2021), achieving a remarkable GPA of 3.98/4. Earlier, she completed her MSc in Game Technologies at Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara (2012-2015), with a GPA of 3.79/4. Her bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design was also from METU (2006-2009), where she transferred successfully from the City and Regional Planning program (2003-2006). As part of Erasmus, she studied Industrial Design Technical Engineering at Universidad de Valladolid, Spain, achieving 9.5/10. Dr. Ilhan’s strong educational foundation began at Dr. Binnaz-Rıdvan Ege Anatolian High School, Ankara, where she excelled in Mathematics-Science (4.98/5). Her academic journey reflects a consistent record of excellence, with multiple high honors and honors at METU, preparing her for interdisciplinary research integrating design, technology, human-computer interaction, and gamification.

Experience

Dr. Ezgi Ilhan’s professional career spans academia, industry, and research. Since September 2022, she has been an Assistant Professor at Gazi University, Ankara, teaching courses such as Computer-Aided Design, Product Design, and Competition-Oriented Design. She also holds part-time teaching roles at METU, TOBB ETU, and previously at Ostim Technical University. At Atılım University, she progressed from Research Assistant (2014–2021) to Assistant Professor (2022), teaching a wide range of design courses and managing administrative duties. In industry, she worked as a Game Designer at Pixofun (2011–2013), developing gamified applications, simulations, and game-based education programs. Earlier, she served as a Product Designer at Journey (2009–2011), overseeing production stages, cost analysis, and design guidance. Her experience also includes internships and student assistant roles in graphic design and industrial design at METU and Vestel. This diverse experience supports her expertise in blending academic theory with practical design and user experience innovation.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Ezgi Ilhan has received multiple awards recognizing her excellence in design and academia. Internationally, she won the European Product Design Award MECON (2021) for Office Equipment/Furnishings/Modules and secured a Silver Winner position at the Muse Design Awards MECON (2021) in Furniture/Office Furniture. During her academic journey, she earned METU High Honor and Honor Student distinctions across multiple semesters. She holds various certificates, including the De Gruyter Training Certificate (2019), Industrial Technology Design Certificate (2010), Spanish Course Completion Certificate (2009), and several certifications in human resources management and computer modeling. Dr. Ilhan has also participated in prestigious events such as the Game Developers Conference (GDC) Europe, Global Game Jam Jury, Paris Fashion Week, and numerous international conferences. These accolades highlight her continuous professional development, global engagement, and excellence in design, research, and teaching.

Research Focus

Dr. Ezgi Ilhan’s research interests lie at the intersection of industrial design, human-computer interaction, user experience, and gamification. Her work emphasizes the integration of eye-tracking technologies to inform design decisions, enhance usability, and improve user interaction with products and digital interfaces. She has explored topics such as mobile app gamification for improving sleep behaviors, aesthetic evaluation using eye-tracking, usability evaluation in gaming environments, and technology-driven design methodologies. With numerous publications in high-impact journals such as International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, Multimedia Tools and Applications, Entertainment Computing, and Displays, her research contributes valuable insights into technology-supported design processes. She actively presents her work at international conferences, addressing global audiences on cutting-edge design approaches. Her multidisciplinary approach bridges technology, psychology, and design, aiming to create more intuitive, user-centered products and digital experiences that foster engagement, functionality, and satisfaction.

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