User Experience
I got my start in interactive UX design in my senior year of college. At the Ohio State University, all students in the Design program are required to complete a Senior Thesis project. I chose to study and create an interactive program for kids that would educate them on Brazilian culture. I enlisted the help of some of my own former middle school teachers, and I was able to user-test the prototype program with a class of middle school kids to gauge their interest and the ease of use of the program.Multicultural Education Design
I targeted Brazil as an example of how a nation and its culture can be presented in a digital environment, to increase multicultural awareness at a younger age.
Why is it important?
I feel that his is important because in our current educational system many rich cultures and histories are ignored. My design's significance is that it allows active participatio and discussion on diversity topics in a classroom setting and beyond.How it works
It's not easy condensing the richness and heritage of a country into learning modules. Programmed in Flash 8, the learning modules all ended with a game and each time you advanced your progress was indicated with a bright star animation.
Kiosk Interface
e-Play Movies & Games was the owner/operator of automated DVD & video game renting kiosks, similar to Redbox. While I worked there we innovated a new, more user-friendly interface using less words and more symbols, and designating a 'Hotspot' area of the screen for easy advancement.
