Dr. Daniel A. Muñoz

Assistant Professor

Ph.D. in Virtual Reality and Design, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
MA. Design, Interaction Design, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
BA, Industrial Design, University of Chile
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damunoz@hkbu.edu.hk
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Dr. Daniel Muñoz is an Assistant Professor with expertise in immersive technologies, creativity, and human-centered design. With a Ph.D. in Virtual Reality and Design from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Dr. Muñoz explores the intersection of virtual reality, user experience, and interactive storytelling. His research aims to enhance creativity, cognition, and player perception through emerging technologies like extended reality and artificial intelligence.

Dr. Muñoz has developed innovative frameworks and tools that empower designers and developers to create meaningful, engaging, and inclusive digital experiences. His work integrates cognitive psychology, narrative design, and procedural 3D world-building, focusing on how virtual environments can evoke presence, agency, and enhance user engagement. With over 12 years of experience, he is committed to advancing player-centered design through intuitive interfaces and immersive 3D worlds.

Research interests 

Extended Reality (XR) design and applications
Creativity and cognition in new media
Narrative design and interactive storytelling in immersive environments
AI world building and procedural content animation
Inclusion and entertainment technology
User experience and interaction design

Selected Publications 

Muñoz, D. A. (2022). The Impact of the Informational Load of Presence Illusions on Users' Attention and Memory. 2022 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D, User Interfaces Abstracts and Workshops (VRW), pp. 946-947. DOI: 10.1109/VRW55335.2022.00324

Ho, J. C. F., Muñoz Prieto, D., & Ding, J. (2022). Design to Divide Attention: An Exploration of Designing Virtual Reality Simulations of Accidents. In IASDR 2021 Proceedings, Springer.

Muñoz, D. A., Chow, K. N., & Wei, H. (2021). Effects of Virtual Reality in the Area of Responsible Decision-Making Training on Adolescents. International Conference on ArtsIT, Interactivity and Game Creation. DOI

Yan, L., Muñoz, D. A., Shunli, Y., Shu Xin, S., Pan Bei Bei, T., & Wang Yunge, A. Comparative Self-Perception Empathy Study in the Design Process. 16th International Conference on, Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics, (AHFE 2025).



Dr. Daniel Muñoz is dedicated to fostering creativity and critical thinking, inspiring the next generation of designers to navigate the evolving landscape of interactive media. His interdisciplinary approach and commitment to inclusive practices establish him as a prominent figure in the field.