Heather Dolan

MIMS 2010
User Experience Researcher, Adobe

Why I chose to study information

Because information, in one form or another, is fundamental to everyone’s lives. I wanted to explore ways to interact with, manage, use, and protect something so fundamental.

Best things about the I School

The proximity to Silicon Valley was very appealing, and UC Berkeley has excellent departments. As a result, there are so many relevant conversations taking place here. I also like the size of the program — big enough to include people with diverse academic backgrounds and work experience, but small enough so we can get to know each other. And the faculty are great. They’re passionate about their fields of study, and about making sure we’re really learning and thinking.

Future plans

I currently work as a user experience designer at Adobe Systems, Inc. I plan to remain in the software industry, but I want to have a greater and more holistic influence over the development of tools designed and built to express information. Although my background and training are pretty specific — imaging — the I School has prepared me well to deal with broad information issues. I now have many different perspectives, or tool kits, to work with.