inquiry & exploration (observation, analysis, requirements gathering)

Applied ethnography methods focus on understanding people in the context of their daily lives. These methods are quickly gaining popularity in business as a way to understand consumers' needs.

I have used an ethnographic approach for a variety of projects. The picture at left was part of a project to understand the process of group communication in computer-mediated versus in-person situations. The insights led to a design for groupware that supports simultaneous collaborative work on digital documents and IM-like communication.

Experience prototyping is embodied form of design inquiry. For this project, each member of the team experienced a simulated disability (sensory and motor) to gain insight. The experiences made us realize how important the most basic sense of touch is - for example, the feeling of hot and cold sensations, vibration, and texture. These insights were used to design a universally-accessible museum exhibit.

One way to analyze qualitative data is through affinity diagramming. This bottom-up approach can shed new light on a problem and lead to insights.

For my masters thesis project, I used an affinity diagram to organize and analyze contextual inquiry observations regarding processes in an R&D lab. Then I hosted a "wall walk" an invited lab members to read and leave comments on the diagram.

Common HCI design problems involve user information seeking, knowledge management, mental models, and controlled vocabularies - all part of information architecture. 

I use information architecture daily to design software flows, compose user messages, and interpret customer feedback.

concept development & prototyping

Sketching is a valuable communication tool for expressing ideas and reaching a shared understanding. It is also used for interface design.

The sketch at left is an early mock-up of Ideate, a software program designed to support designers in an R&D lab.

A rapid prototype is an early construction of a system or model used to explore and evaluate ideas. Prototyping can highlight issues and provides a framework for evolutionary improvement, before spending implementation time and money.

For this project, we developed a paper prototype of a projection interface that would display on a wall. With this early model, we tested feasibility and gathered feedback.

Process flows and storyboarding communicate how a system will work. It is a great tool for demonstrating how interactive systems will respond to user actions.

This flow was used in the early development of an instructional website. It highlights the differences between three types of interaction models that were being considered for the website.

validation & testing

When there is not time for user testing, a heuristic evaluation or cognitive walkthrough can uncover usability issues.

I conduct informal cognitive walkthroughs at work all the time. Pictured at right is a team report from a heuristic evaluation of an early version of Google Earth.

There are several ways to conduct user testing. A paper prototype test takes extra prep time but it often leads to richer user feedback and can be conducted before a single line of code is written.

I have designed and conducted several types of user tests for software, hardware, and ubiquitous applications.

visual design

Good visual design is an important part of user experience. Visual design can increase appeal and unify a brand. It can also aid in navigation and user understanding. I apply design elements such as proximity, alignment, repetition, and color theory to interface designs, posters, websites, presentations, brochures, and packaging designs.

Pictured at left is a software package for Ideate, a collaborative idea management program for designers.

software tools

Illustrator
Photoshop
InDesign
Visio
PowerPoint
Fireworks
Flash