Qwarq Central is the main software offering from ConnectSoft. Qwarq is a short range wireless connection solution. Qwarq central bundles games and applications that all communicate over the Qwarq network in one central location. The image to the left is the second version of Qwarq Central. We were able to make the experience far superior in the second version of Qwarq central by combining all the apps in a single location. So far Qwarq Central has been through three usability tests, and has also had a focus group centered on it. The SUS score for Qwarq Central improved by about 30 points from the first usability test to the second. From the location in the software pictured you can choose a person to do an activity with, such as chat, share files, share internet, or play games. Qwarq is shipping on select Dell netbooks.

Paper, Rock, Scissors is an example of one of a number of apps I worked on that were multi-platform. Paper, Rock, Scissors can be played on Windows and Android. A Windows player can go up against an Android player. The game is a reincarnation of the age old game of Paper, Rock, Scissors. Each player chooses either rock, paper, or scissors and then when both players have chosen they are informed if they have won, lost, or tied.

The CHI 2007 Student Design Competition challenged student design teams to create a service that would encourage the use of public transportation. The problem statement also mentioned the problems of pollution and the cost of fuel. EventStream was designed to help out-of-town attendees of seminars or conferences use more environmentally friendly means to travel to and from these meetings. The design process was started by conducting a focus group and then a contextual inquiry. Interviews were also conducted to help understand the problem space. During this primary research, secondary research was taking place. All of this research was used to understand the problem space and develop concepts. The team voted on a concept to prototype and this concept was presented to a group of experts. The first concept was not strong enough and the team chose a different concept to develop for the competition. That concept was EventStream. Eventstream went through user testing and several iterations before being entered in the CHI 2007 student design competition. EventStream was selected to the top 12 projects at the student design competition of the SIGCHI 2007 conference. The submission was a short paper that was published in the ACM library and can be viewed here.

WiCenter was Stonestreet One's main visual interface offering. It is a piece of software that was a one stop connection center. You could connect to your devices all in a single place rather than in many different places using many different interfaces. I worked on this project as an intern. I was able to see a redesign through from start to implementation. We redesigned the WiCenter interface from sketching to usability testing twice. The first iteration led to a high fidelity PowerPoint prototype. We usability tested this and then reiterated on the design. This time I created a medium fidelity limited functionality ActionScript powered prototype with a hand drawn look and the majority of the graphics assets drawn by hand on a Wacom tablet or using the mouse. This prototype was usability tested as well before making our final recommendations for what the next iteration of WiCenter should be. You can take the second prototype for a test drive by clicking on the picture of it to the left. A few tasks from the test are: connect the MX1000, find the date you last saw the Atheros WLN Netgear Wireless Router, and connect to another computer to share files.

I have written, administered, and reported on usability testing professionally for Stonestreet One and ConnectSoft. I had the opportunity to develop new testing methods to meet the criteria of a more realistic test for the software that was being tested. Unfortunately this work was all done under NDA and I am unable to share it with you. I have also done many usability tests during my academic career. Here is a usability test done with the intent of putting it in a portfolio. The usability test was completed on the Indiana University Account Management Services website. Problems found with the website included locating the site within the IU network, as well as navigating to locations within the site. The test materials can be found here, and the report on the test can be found here.

I entered the field of human computer interaction design when I found it offered me the following things: It was an intersection of computer science and psychology, which I devoted the majority of my undergraduate studies to. It puts the human using the interface first and makes the world a better place by making people's interactions with interfaces better. It allows me to be both artistic and scientific. It can be used to create great new things. I am using my skills to make the world a better place beyond just making better interactions for people by practicing sustainability at every opportunity. Taking every opportunity to make something more sustainable also makes interactions better for the ecosystem. I try to find a harmonious balance between the user, the interface, and the planet in everything I design. Please download my resume and get to know me better.