The Human Centered Design Process of a UW Student
My path through the Univeristy of Washington is as linear as the Human-Centered Design process. By that I mean, it was not as linear at all. There were days where I was celebrating and knew exactly what I wanted to do. But there were times where it felt like I was taking a step back in the process while it seemed like everyone else was just moving forward. The days where I would just stare at a wall and wonder if I made the right choices or if I even knew what I truly wanted to do. However, each time I stepped back, I got to know myself a bit better and discovered an even better opportunity.
Just like in the HCD process, I spent more time than I expected in the research phase. Starting in high school, I thought I wanted to be a software developer. I looked at clubs and opportunities on how to pursue that idea. I joined the Robotics team and did different science and math focused AP classes. When I came to UW, I thought I was starting on my Ideation phase, going through my different pre-requisite classes, and learning about a future in Computer Science. Beyond academic changes, I thought I was comfortable with how I was doing. I met a few friends, joined Hall Council and HCA, and tried new things, but I spent a lot of time studying, especially my first quarter at UW.
However, sometimes the research collected is incomplete. The researcher doesn’t collect all the right data and misses or misinterprets things. Over that first year, I realized the Computer Science wasn’t the major me. While interesting, I didn’t feel that it was what I wanted to do. I went back into that research phase and realized a few things. After taking a variety of different classes my freshman and sophomore year, I realized my passion was in UX Design and HCDE. I also realized quickly into freshman year that I needed to achieve a balance between schoolwork and trying new things. I started attending new events, took on new challenges, and made time for my friends. Suddenly, even my academics were going better. Even then, the road was not perfect, and I faced some hard decisions and challenges. I had to redefine my own success and look at what it meant to me. I differentiated success from happiness, and suddenly there was a lot more to be happy about.
Using this, I went back into a new ideation phase using my new personal “design” principles. Using this new information I learned about myself, I got to taking classes on my new path. I got to learn about topics that I was passionate about and could see myself doing in the future. Through my roles as an Resident Advisor, Orientation Leader, HCA, and more, I also learned a lot about myself and how I handle different situations, both positive and negative, while also growing interpersonal leadership skills.
Just like when a designer finally has an idea to potentially solve the design challenge, I began “prototyping” my new path in my Junior and Senior years. I used the ideas that I developed in my earlier years to help mold what I wanted the rest of my Husky Experience to look like. I joined more design related RSOs, doing more photography, and also making time for my friends for us to try new things together. I also got to “evaluate” my skills through internships and opportunities at UW. However, again that path was not linear. Sometimes I had to step back and make some new tweaks and changes to my goal, especially given the COVID pandemic. Some days I wish for it to be graduation already, and others, I wish I had more time left.
Now looking at where I am, I am nearing the end of the design process, at least for college, but there is a whole new design cycle ahead post-graduation. As I look back, every moment that happened, both the ups and downs, happened for a reason. Each moment made me a better person and made my Husky Experience colorful. In the end, while the journey was crazy and seemed never ending, but it was the one I needed to make to be the best version of myself. It was one that I will remember forever and would not change a single part of it.
College doesn’t last forever, but a portfolio does. The intent of this portfolio is to show my experiences. Not only from Honors or HCDE, but from my outside experiences and the relationships I have made over time, and how they have changed over time, leading to my growth throughout my time at the University of Washington. Follow along with me on my wild ride!
Just like in the HCD process, I spent more time than I expected in the research phase. Starting in high school, I thought I wanted to be a software developer. I looked at clubs and opportunities on how to pursue that idea. I joined the Robotics team and did different science and math focused AP classes. When I came to UW, I thought I was starting on my Ideation phase, going through my different pre-requisite classes, and learning about a future in Computer Science. Beyond academic changes, I thought I was comfortable with how I was doing. I met a few friends, joined Hall Council and HCA, and tried new things, but I spent a lot of time studying, especially my first quarter at UW.
However, sometimes the research collected is incomplete. The researcher doesn’t collect all the right data and misses or misinterprets things. Over that first year, I realized the Computer Science wasn’t the major me. While interesting, I didn’t feel that it was what I wanted to do. I went back into that research phase and realized a few things. After taking a variety of different classes my freshman and sophomore year, I realized my passion was in UX Design and HCDE. I also realized quickly into freshman year that I needed to achieve a balance between schoolwork and trying new things. I started attending new events, took on new challenges, and made time for my friends. Suddenly, even my academics were going better. Even then, the road was not perfect, and I faced some hard decisions and challenges. I had to redefine my own success and look at what it meant to me. I differentiated success from happiness, and suddenly there was a lot more to be happy about.
Using this, I went back into a new ideation phase using my new personal “design” principles. Using this new information I learned about myself, I got to taking classes on my new path. I got to learn about topics that I was passionate about and could see myself doing in the future. Through my roles as an Resident Advisor, Orientation Leader, HCA, and more, I also learned a lot about myself and how I handle different situations, both positive and negative, while also growing interpersonal leadership skills.
Just like when a designer finally has an idea to potentially solve the design challenge, I began “prototyping” my new path in my Junior and Senior years. I used the ideas that I developed in my earlier years to help mold what I wanted the rest of my Husky Experience to look like. I joined more design related RSOs, doing more photography, and also making time for my friends for us to try new things together. I also got to “evaluate” my skills through internships and opportunities at UW. However, again that path was not linear. Sometimes I had to step back and make some new tweaks and changes to my goal, especially given the COVID pandemic. Some days I wish for it to be graduation already, and others, I wish I had more time left.
Now looking at where I am, I am nearing the end of the design process, at least for college, but there is a whole new design cycle ahead post-graduation. As I look back, every moment that happened, both the ups and downs, happened for a reason. Each moment made me a better person and made my Husky Experience colorful. In the end, while the journey was crazy and seemed never ending, but it was the one I needed to make to be the best version of myself. It was one that I will remember forever and would not change a single part of it.
College doesn’t last forever, but a portfolio does. The intent of this portfolio is to show my experiences. Not only from Honors or HCDE, but from my outside experiences and the relationships I have made over time, and how they have changed over time, leading to my growth throughout my time at the University of Washington. Follow along with me on my wild ride!