MS-HCI at Interactivity@GT 2024
Last week (2/6/2024), the Institute for People and Technology (IPaT) and the MS-HCI program co-hosted the annual Interactivity@GT event, where industry professionals, Georgia Tech researchers, and current MS-HCI students networked and socialized.
Karen Holtzblatt, HCI pioneer and author of Contextual Design, delivered the event’s keynote, titled “What is the Actual UX Job?”. Karen emphasized the importance of data-driven UX practices to demonstrate true business value; research and design outputs must align with business goals to have true impact, or “thud factor” according to Karen.
Following the keynote, the MS-HCI program held its annual 1-Minute Madness, during which current students were given 60 seconds to present themselves, their work, goals, and interests to industry professionals in the hopes of eliciting follow-up conversations and potential career opportunities.
To cap things off, the atrium was abuzz with chatter during the poster session as MS-HCI students shared their past work, experience, and works-in-progress theses. For anyone who may have missed this exciting opportunity or didn’t get a chance to, we wanted to feature some of the amazing student work accompanied by a short description provided by each student.
Pro-tip: Click the poster image to see it in its entirety.
1. Prachi Chopde — UX Researcher
Hi, I’m Prachi. I am currently working towards my Master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction. As a User Researcher, I have extensive experience in conducting generative, tactical, and evaluative research. I have 2 years of experience conducting UX Research. Before coming to Georgia Tech, I worked at Deloitte for 3.5 years as an analytics professional, where I honed my quantitative, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Over the past 2 years, I have worked on several impact-driven UX Research projects with companies like Teladoc Health, Uber, Pumpkin, and the Task Force for Global Health. As a UX Researcher, I aim to blend empathy and research rigor to create inclusive and intuitive products.
2. Philipp Hemkemeyer — UX Designer
Hey, I’m Philipp, a dedicated HCI student at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, USA, where I’m delving into the dynamic world of Human-Computer Interaction. Currently, I am working on immersive training for flight attendants to fight human trafficking in cooperation with Delta Air Lines.
3. Druti Naik — Mixed-Methods UX Researcher
I enjoy using multiple processes to understand a problem space, product, or people. My background in psychology means that I am especially excited about people — their thoughts, likes, dislikes, behavior, and cognition. Further, I was taught the importance of balancing anecdotes and empirical evidence, which has developed my equal love for understanding the individual and the group. I shine while conducting interviews and focus groups. I find energy through sharing research findings across teams. Others describe me as passionate, a great problem solver, and a quick learner.
If you would like to discuss any of these projects, please connect with me on LinkedIn or find out more on my website!
4. Yijiang (Jacob) Xu — Designer
The concept of HCI is often shaped around specific corporate structures or business models, but at the MS-HCI program I am provided with resources to navigate beyond the research-design dichotomy. My background in computational architectural design resonates with HCI’s emphasis on “thinking through making,” a principle HCI takes even further. For instance, some fields tend to view accessibility as code compliance, HCI sees it as an opportunity for inclusive design benefiting everyone. Design is not solely about reductionist problem-solving; rather, it is nuanced, multiplicity-seeking “problematizing.” Design does not settle for intellectual production; it strives for systematic impacts through materials and actions.
5. Kallie Shook — UX Designer
I chose to highlight my master’s thesis project in my poster. My project focuses on developing a technology to help first-time tattoo clients as their tattoo heals. I want to enable users to ask questions about their healing tattoo to their tattoo artist, other artists, and others in the community.
I also want to incorporate an AI model that can assess photos of healing tattoos for any abnormalities such as infection.
The next step for this project will be testing my design with users for early feedback before creating a high-fidelity prototype.
If you want to learn more about this project and others, visit my portfolio, and if you want to chat, email me at kshook6@gatech.edu.
6. Jisu Kim — UX Researcher, Research Scientist
#Human-AI Interaction #Data-driven Interaction #Human-centered AI
I am a first-year master’s student in Interactive Computing at Georgia Tech. My research interest lies in the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Human-computer interaction (HCI). My goal is to develop impactful and responsible AI solutions that benefit all of humanity and enhance human-AI interactions.
7. Jahnavi Kolakaluri — Product / UX Designer
Hi, I’m Jahnavi, a meticulous designer passionate about crafting useful and inclusive designs for people. My most intensive project involved designing advanced data filters for analysts at venture capital firms, enabling them to ask nuanced questions like “Show companies in the United States but not in Asia with a Total Funding Amount of $10M.” I aided ADHD users through Slack channel organization through automation and recommendation, with 80% finding our solution — TidyBot helpful. Currently, I work as a GRA at Ka Moamoa Lab where I help substitute teachers at a Hawaiian Immersion School teach classes rooted in cultural relevancy.
8. Arianna Mastali — Research Technologist
I am passionate about designing and building interactive environments. My research is in animal-centered computing, which allows me to use my engineering and design skills to create wearables for monitoring animal health and understanding animal behavior. After graduation, I am pursuing a PhD to further this growing and exciting field!
9. Qianyu Wang — UX Researcher
Qianyu, a mixed-methods User Experience Researcher, leverages her background in behavioral sciences and education to create accessible, delightful user experiences. Skilled in identifying user needs and translating them into actionable insights, she has contributed to user research projects with the American Society of Clinical Oncology and Insight Space. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Human-Computer Interaction at Georgia Tech, she’s worked on projects for Home Depot, Georgia Aquarium, and WestRock Company. Set to graduate in May 2024, Qianyu is eager to continue her career as a User Experience Researcher, championing user-centric design.
10. Aby Joe Kottoor — UX Designer
I’m Aby Joe, a Product Designer with 4 years of experience in UX Research, Robotics, and Engineering. I spearheaded the HoloSuit redesign, enhancing functionality and user experience, reflecting my leadership and problem-solving capabilities. My work on the V3 Car Valuation tool demonstrates my skills in UX and Data Visualization, leveraging AI for insightful analytics. Seeking a summer internship, I aim to bring my varied skills to a vibrant team, forging innovative products that seamlessly integrate technology into everyday life.
11. Manuni Dhruv — Product Designer
I believe that good design must be rooted in reality; the reality of the people, places, and processes that you are designing for. This principle directs my decision-making, prioritizing what truly matters. I have used this same philosophy to anchor my design process in the 3 projects highlighted in my poster. Please get in touch with me to know more!
Final Thoughts
While impressive in-and-of themselves, it is impossible for this sample of posters to convey just how creative, curious, and passionate MS-HCI students truly are as a whole. They continue to hone their skills, discover new ways of knowing, and solve real human problems grounded in research. Please take the time to reach out to those featured above or browse the full list of current MS-HCI students to discover more amazing talent within the program!
