Alea Abrams

My personal design perspective focuses on ethics and empathy to create cutting edge tech products. This user-focused viewpoint puts people first, thinking about their wants and needs and how we can incorporate them in sustainable ways. I began my career working in the non-profit sector, so ethics and “doing good” has always been important to me. I believe that we can use technology to make our world better. My goal is to become a leader and influencer in this area of design. In my free time I like to read, cook, eat, craft, do art, scuba dive, and travel.

“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” - Ed Catmull

Amberly Riegler

I’m passionate about using data to design ethical, human-centered technologies. With a background in psychology and neuroscience, I have worked to understand the nature of complex systems with rigorous research and data collection. Through the MHCI+D program, I hope to utilize my multidisciplinary background to further examine how the convergence of science, technology, and creativity can create compelling design solutions for the future. Areas of interest include value sensitive design, social justice, technology literacy, and assistive technologies.

Angela Yung

My undergraduate degree in Cognitive Science kick started my interest in understanding how humans think and the part that technology plays in our lives. I then obtained a graduate degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Science from University of Arizona where my research was focused on the use of eye-tracking in vestibular disorder diagnosis. Following my graduate degree, I worked in neuroscience research where I employed a variety of research methods such as neurocognitive assessments, electrophysiological tests and neuroimaging providing me with a better understanding of how our experiences shape our brains. Finally, my passion for photography has led me away from academia research to a field where I can incorporate art and design into my career. I want to integrate empathy, design thinking and technology to solve human problems. I’m interested to see how my understanding of human language, cognition and acoustics can be adapted to voice integrated systems. In my spare time, I can be found hiking up mountains with my dog, bouldering or exploring new food.

Augustus Arthur

I am an aspiring designer/researcher passionate about technology, research, and design. Previously, I was a project manager for the Environmental Dashboard at Oberlin College for 3 years where I helped build software and manage relationships between stakeholders. Prior to that, I majored in Computer Science at Ashesi University College in Ghana. I joined the MHCI+D program to be in a position where I can create experiences that border on the delightful. Some of my current areas of interest are in healthcare, gaming, gamers, and their life choices as well as transportation.

Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Beijia Wang

I'm Interdisciplinary trained in design, engineering, and business with a M.S in Design Science from University of Michigan. With previous experience of researching and designing automated vehicle user experience in the automotive industry to current study of HCID at UW, I define myself as an interdisciplinary human-centered designer who wants to bridge the gap of interaction design between physical and digital product to truly address people’s needs and enhance user experience. Feel free to contact me if you are interested in collaboration or just wanna chat.

Bridget Sheffler

Cassie Meade

Dolcie Dass

Hello! I'm a Product Designer who is passionate about making technology delightful, intuitive, and accessible. I'm a dreamer, enthusiastically conjuring wild and innovative ideas. I enjoy bringing these ideas from abstract to concrete solutions. My background in engineering has given me an appetite for solving complex problems. In the workplace I can connect inputs from user, business, and engineering to create a cohesive design vision. Overall, I’m looking to help build a better world and improve the quality of life for everyone. I love coffee and good conversations, feel free to click on my links to connect!

Fall in love with a problem, not a specific solution - Laura Javier

Eleanor Nesbit

With a Political Science degree from Colorado College and over three years of experience in digital marketing, I come to the MHCI+D program excited to use my critical thinking and analytical skills in the design and technology realm. I'm passionate about using design for social good and hope to use the skills I've gained through the MHCI+D program to solve meaningful issues. In my spare time I'm a hiker, runner, avid reader, skier and photographer.

Hannah Johnson

My passion for experience design stems from my fascinations with technology and understanding human behavior. I come to MHCI+D as a recent computer science graduate from the University of Kansas. In parallel with my studies, I worked part time as a user experience intern learning to leverage my technical skills in the context of user-centered design. During my time in this program I’m excited to strengthen my visual design skills as well as my ability to empathize with all types of technology users. Some of my current interests include accessibility, artificial intelligence, and storytelling through various mediums. In my spare time I coffee shop hop, catch up on my favorite podcasts, and take advantage of opportunities to explore the outdoors through climbing and hiking.

Javan Wang

Having come from a traditional chemical engineering background, I learned all I know about design from engineers-turned-designers. I quickly realized that design born from the lens of a designer is drastically different from what I've been taught previously. Accessibility in design is a topic close to my heart, and I'm hoping my educational background and multicultural values could help inform my design decisions. I'm also a huge geek (vg & tg) and foodie. Always down for great food & drinks! o7

Problems that remain persistently insoluble should always be suspected as questions asked in the wrong way. - Alan Watts

Jennifer Wang

I'm a hybrid designer with a bachelor's degree in industrial design, and experiences in the graphic design field. Coming to this master program, I hope to expand my knowledge of human-centered design methodologies. My goal is to make a positive impact on users by designing products that make interactions intuitive and meaningful. I'm always keen to explore new cultures, food, and people!

You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. - Steve Jobs

John Sykes

I’ve worked in multiple analytical roles over the past decade, beginning with corporate financial analysis at General Motors up to founding and growing the UX Research group at Hulu. Through the MHCI+D program I hope to broaden my design skillset and further my understanding of the science behind user behavior. My interests lie in emerging methods of HCI and understanding their effect on users over time, especially related to digital media and the entertainment industry. I believe that the greatest strength of any UX professional is a strong sense of empathy.

Khai Nguyen

I am from Vietnam. My undergrad background is in Computer Science, which I still love. I am extremely interested in four fields: Computer Science, Game Design, HCI, and Data Visualization. My end goal is to apply what I have learned from these fields to education: to making learning really fun!

Mahvish Irfan

Mengxiao Song

Hello, I am Mengxiao!! In my previous experience in architecture study and practice, I realize how much digital world is integrated with physical world and its great influence on how people interact with the objects and environment. After discovering my passion in this interdisciplinary design field, I decided to switch my career to HCI. My design interest lies in how technologies are changing people’s everyday life, and remolding human behaviors where every fragmented daily activity takes place – especially from all aspects of urban life. I am passionate about the gradual awakening of a human-centered everydayness and I am eager to use the power of design for a more pleasant, interactive and customizable urban life.

Mike Cardarelli

Experienced digital product manager shifting to UX design. Interested in sustainability, accessibility, value sensitive design, screenless interfaces, open source hardware and software, and DIY culture.

Nora Owens

I’m a design researcher excited about leveraging the power of thoughtful design solutions to affect positive change. I come to MHCI+D from a bachelors degree in art history and experience with educational tools, public programming, and a commercial art gallery. I was drawn to art history because of the ways in which contemporary art can provoke, inspire, and challenge viewers. My interest in UX has been driven by applications of technology in art museums: providing ways of making collections more accessible and connecting with the public. I’m interested in developing my design and research skills through a variety of applications and eager to design solutions with a concern for diverse audiences.

Oliver Engel

I discovered design after spending a few years in the computing-arts world, so I'm coming into the MHCI+D program with an experimental bent. I'm currently interested in design for emerging technologies, and how they might be incorporated into our everyday lives. I also approach design with an emphasis on beauty and aesthetic, which I believe are integral to the experience of products and services. I joined the MHCI+D program to learn the design techniques that makes products great–to bridge my arts background with an interest in creating valuable, cutting-edge work.

Rohan Chavan

I am interested in creating experiences that are user-centered, product-agnostic, and available on the go. Prior to joining the MHCI+D program, I was an Associate Product Manager at Xiaomi where I worked on MIUI, IoT and ecosystem products. I completed my bachelors and masters in engineering design from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras.

Sakshat Goyal

I studied architecture as an undergraduate and began working as a freelance visual designer right out of college. I love food and could talk about it the entire day and still not be tired.

The only thing harder than to develop a really good idea, is letting go of one.

Samantha Baker

Hi, I’m Sam. My background is in Computer Science and Informatics, but what I’m really excited about is user and usability research. I’m passionate about making things more accessible, simple, and enjoyable to use. The only way to do that is by having empathy for the people using the things we make. Research is empathy in action!

“If we want users to like our software we should design it to behave like a likeable person: respectful, generous and helpful.”— Alan Cooper

Saransh Solanki

Hi, I’m Saransh, a product designer specializing in user experience and interaction design. I believe that good design stems from human-centered thinking and methods and is amplified when created in collaboration with people of diverse backgrounds. I love learning about the complexities and the needs of each user. Hence, I have played roles of a civil engineer, cofounder, web developer, project manager and digital product designer in search of solving interesting problems. I envision myself to work as a Product Designer helping create a world for seamless communication and information transfer by utilizing the benefits of transpiring technologies in the field of newer interfaces, along with progressions in interoperability.

What power would hell have if those imprisoned here would not be able to dream of heaven?

Sayena Majlesein

I’m a dedicated product designer, a curious UX researcher, a passionate violinist, and a creative writer. HCI+D is the intersection of my backgrounds in computer science and arts. I initiated my work as a front-end developer, however, once I started working in an HCI lab, I realized the true power of an effective experience that is created for a well understood target audience. Since then, my goal has been to charm people’s lives through applying creative solutions and I’ve had the chance to do that as a product designer and a UX engineer. I’m in the MHCI+D program to bridge my technical skills to the world of visual communication and create effective products along with pleasant experiences for users.

Other than being a UX unicorn, I enjoy writing short stories, hiking, watching anime, and dancing!

Sophia Li

My name is Sophia Li. I received my bachelor degrees in industrial design and communication. I see UX design as an interplanetary field that I could combine my design background and social science knowledge to bridge the gaps between users, designers, business and our society.

Surabhi Wadhwa

I'm a user experience designer who is passionate about creating products that are people focused and can impact social change. I believe that designers are the bridge where people's needs meet organisations, and have the power to create a better future. Having worked in the tech industry for over six years, I have a multidisciplinary skillset that integrates user understanding with product thinking and creative know-how. My interest lies in connecting people with technology which empowers them to help themselves. In the offline world I enjoy non-fiction, crime documentaries, cats and yoga. When I'm not designing you will find me traveling the world in search of food.

Suwei Yang

I am an interdisciplinary designer based in the San Francisco Bay Area, specializing in UX design and tangible interation design. I am passionate about building everyday integrated experience to bridge our physical and virtual world. I hold a Master of Architecture degree from UCLA, and am currently enrolled in the Master of Human-Computer Interaction + Design program at University of Washington. Prior to UW, I have been working as a licensed architect in Southern California for over 5 years, dedicating in the creation of delightful and memorable hospitality and retail experience.

Tanya Chang

Hello! My name is Tanya Chang, I am a multidisciplinary designer and a creator of experiences. I hold a BFA degree in Graphic Design at ArtCenter College of Design, where my emphasis of study was visual interaction. I enjoy tackling complex problems with visually appealing, emotionally connected, and human-centered design. In my spare time, I can be found sipping London fog at a local coffee shop or daydreaming about my next adventure.

Tiffanie Horne

Hey there! My name is Tiffanie and I am a user experience researcher and designer with a background in Public and international education. I am passionate about leveraging technology to optimize teaching, learning, and personal development in all spaces. Originating from the west coast, I pursued Communication and Media Studies in undergraduate school and obtained a Master’s degree in Education and Human Development from George Washington University in Washington, DC. I believe in experimenting with new concepts and tools and I believe in failure. Ultimately this leads to having and creating the best experiences human life has to offer.

As a long-term strategy comfort is unsafe! - Thomas Oppong

Tony Tran

My Bachelor’s degree is in Informatics from the University of Washington iSchool. Prior to coming back to the UW, I worked various roles at Boeing and Microsoft which included front-end developer, designer, and product owner. I love learning about new technologies and how designers can apply those technologies to help solve problems. I enjoy the vast array of industries design can have an impact in and the ability to learn about those many different problem spaces as a designer. On my spare time, I enjoy video games, hikes, board games and anything sports-related!

Trevor Larsen

I’m a lifelong designer and maker, approaching every project as an opportunity to try something new, to learn new tools and techniques and new ways of thinking. My background in architecture has given me a broad set of design and technical skills that I look forward to applying in a more forward-thinking and explicitly human-centered context. Development in every industry is driven by advances in technology, and I want to help make these changes more useful, usable, and desirable for people. When I’m not in the studio, I like exploring, cycling, and listening to weird music.

Tyler La

I'm a UX Researcher & Designer with a background in marketing & data analytics. Prior to the program, I was working with various clients in Boston to conduct market research and develop business strategies. While data analytics and marketing helps me answer WHAT is going on with data trends and patterns, I am curious of figuring out the WHY -- finding the root of the problems and turn that knowledge into tangible solutions to improve users' experiences. My objective as a designer is to bridge the gap between business and design, make sure each design decision is thoughtful and user-centric. I enjoy photography, reading, playing board games, hiking and brewing kombucha!

You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. - Maya Angelou

Victor Wang

As an architect-turned-designer, I aim to design experience beautifully using human-centered approach. I draw on my architect and design background to envision how people experience products and create solutions that are not only efficient and helpful, but also elegant.

Yomna Hawas

I love understanding how users think and behave through quantitative and qualitative data, so I can design and build beautiful solutions that will captivate people and make their lives a little easier. All the while, helping businesses meet their goals. I have 4 years of hands-on leadership experience building online solutions.

You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take- Wayne Gretzky-Michael Scott-Yomna Hawas

Yuting Han

I am a creative technologist/UX engineer specialized in data visualization and information design. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in computer science from the University of California, Davis. Having gained experience with a range of human-interface design and data visualization projects, I am currently working on (1) transforming information into interesting, intuitively usable, human-centered interactive interfaces, and (2) reducing barriers between advanced technology and the general public.