George T. Hayes

MIMS 2011
User Experience Architect
Eventbrite

Why I chose to study information

As an undergraduate I studied psychology and fine arts at the University of Pennsylvania. I was specifically interested in social psychology and computer-mediated communication, and worked for a year in a lab at Temple University to get a greater understanding of the field. When I graduated, I wanted to find a job that combined my interests in psychology and fine art, and I found user experience design. Because, as everything becomes more digital, interfaces and user experience are critical to both productivity and the enjoyment of one’s life, I saw UX design as a growing and critical field. I considered many different types of graduate school, including programs in computer science, design, and fine art. In the end I choose information science because I felt the curriculum was broad enough to accommodate all my interests, and would allow me to see the problems I faced as a UX designer from multiple critical viewpoints.

Why I chose the I School

For the professors, the flexible curriculum, and the access to an amazing university. There are a number of professors whose interests match mine in computer-mediated communication, tangible user interfaces, and human computer interaction. The curriculum’s core courses provided enough structure while allowing me to take a wide variety of courses within and outside the school. It also pushed me to take more technically oriented programs, which I found beneficial. UC Berkeley is an amazing university and offers a lot to do and take as a graduate student, and it was the type of academic and social community I was looking for.

Information issues that intrigue me

Issues of usability, design, and mobility interest me most. Having usable information is important to me because information is most powerful when it is used and accessible. I'm also interested in new ways to design and present information. Lastly, issues of mobility intrigue me because so much of the information we consume is on the go, and has the power to affect the way we act and perceive what's around us. This is definitely a field I'm interested in working in.

What stands out about the I School

In my opinion, it’s the people that really stand out. The faculty bring rich experiences in both industry and academia, and offer classes and conduct research that I find relevant. The students are amazing for their diversity of experiences, and its great to meet people who are as engaged and interested as you are within your field. Not everyone is a UX designer or into HCI, but they all understand those fields and can contribute positively in many ways. I have also enjoyed how international the I School is; that shows how important these issues are around the world.