Hong Qu
User Interface Designer, YouTube
What I do now:
I work as a user interface designer at YouTube. My job is to conceptualize, design, and code new features for the website.
What I studied at the iSchool:
I took a wide range of classes about technology, social science, law, and business. My research focus was search technology and mobile application design.
What iSchool classes were invaluable to my success:
My favorite class was 213 - User Interface Design with Professor Hearst; it completely changed my approach to web design. Since then I have become adamant about applying the user-centered design process because following this series of design methods will result in applications that are both useful and easy to use. I also enjoyed classes on project management and consulting.
The most enlightening class was 203 - Social and Organizational Issues of Information, where I learned to design information systems from a social science perspective. Being able to draw from decades of sociology and anthropology research insights has augmented my ability to build vibrant on-line communities.
What's different or special about the iSchool:
The iSchool engages your imagination to create tools and solutions for a world drowning in information overload—multiply that by forty classmates who are just as bright and passionate as you.
An interesting stop along my career path:
I spent a year working as a social worker helping immigrant high school students adjust to their new life in New York City. My job was to teach them English and computer skills, and help them get into college and do well in their summer jobs.
Information issue that interests me today:
Media literacy and affective computing.
A Web site I recommend:
Yelp.com. A lively community of users who recommend neat small businesses in your neighborhood.
How I stay connected to the iSchool:
I visit Berkeley and attend Thirsty Thursdays when I have time.
iSchool memory:
I remember watching a movie called Night of the Lepus with a bunch of classmates at David Schlossberg's apartment. What inspired the event, from what I remember, was that we found it amusing that a judge named Easterbrook wrote a brilliant decision on some legal case involving information law.
My career path:
I had a solid liberal arts education from Wesleyan University. Then I worked in the dot com world in New York City for two years. When it all came crashing down, I started my own technology consulting company helping non-profits with websites and computer training.
After 9/11, I applied to the iSchool and moved out to California in 2003. I did a summer internship at Yahoo! working on contextual search. In early 2006, I joined YouTube and have been working there since.
