About Celeste
A Taoist philosopher once said that words are used to build ideas. Once an idea is understood, the words can be forgotten.
I apply this philosophy to users in modern computing. Once the technology is understood, the computer can be forgotten.
The focus of the user is no longer on the device, but on the task and experience. User-centered design is an important process in developing this experience. It provides both humans and computers the necessary information with which to interact, while providing a positive experience. Improving the quality of that information and experience are my life’s goals.
We are coming in to the age of intelligent machines in which information can be predicted and tailored to our specific needs. Ubiquitous computing is the future of our interaction with computers. The human element needs to be further explored in order to advance computers in such a way they seemingly disappear.
What I Do
Currently I am a senior interaction architect for User-Centered Design in Ashburn, Virginia. I act as a bridge between the human factors engineers and software developers and create usable, innovative interfaces.
I am also an active usability specialist for the K Desktop Environment and maintain the website. My recent interests are the design and access of information (particularly the KMenu) and the Human Interface Guidelines. There are also other open source initiatives I am involved in such as OpenUsability and various Open Source Development Lab and Free Standards Group initiatives.
I am currently working on my Master’s (of Science) degree at the University of Baltimore in the Interaction Design and Information Architecture program. I chose this program because it is very research and theory centered, compared to the surplus of ‘professional’ degrees available elsewhere. My goals for this program are to gain a strong background and better understanding for the structure of information, how people interact with information, how to design better information interfaces, and to participate in research and publish my findings.
» My graduate program
» My student page
Random Things About Me
- My natural hair color is black. I have dyed it blue and red.
- I only wear black, with a scattering of grey, white and red. If you see anything else, be scared.
- I am not a goth. I am not a punk. I am not a raver. The only sub-culture I identify myself with is geek.
- No Tattoos, no piercings at the time, but my ears and my labret have been pierced.
- I have a strong disliking for cats.
- Chocolate, wine, and music are my pacifiers
- My Amazon.com Wishlist
Where I Came From
I grew up in the rural area south of Pittsburgh. My parents own a winery, and my grandfather recently retired from the restaurant business.
I moved to the city when I received my Bachelor’s at Duquesne University and stayed around for a few years as a technical instructor at ITT Technical Institute as an adjunct instructor. I quit to go to the University of Pittsburgh for a Master’s of Information Science, but wanted to work (and not have to take out so many loans).
I found a job in D.C. and moved to the metro area to work at FEMA headquarters for Clutch as a senior new media specialist. Currently I work for User-Centered Design as senior interaction architect. I am also working towards my Master’s of Science in Interaction Design & Information Architecture (IDIA) from the University of Baltimore. Next spring I will do I research assistantship at the Human-Computer Interaction Lab at the University of Maryland, and hopefully finish up my graduate thesis that summer. My plan’s after that? Who knows.