My Journey to Human-Computer Interactions

Who Am I?

Hi everyone! 

My name is Leo Wu. I am a first-year graduate student in Computer Science at San Francisco State University. My personal interests include collecting technology, designing PowerPoint presentations, 3D printing, and researching topics of interest, such as technology, aerospace, and general facts. One interesting fact is that my academic journey didn’t start in computer science, but I actually began studying mechanical engineering. My fascination with mechanics of machines and robotics initially led me down that path, but over time, I became more interested in the interactive elements between the user and the machine. 

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering – University of California, Davis (2018 - 2022)
  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science – San Francisco State University (2022 - 2024)
  • Master’s degree in Computer Science – San Francisco State University (2024 - TBD)

My Story

One defining moment in my journey was purchasing an iRobot Roomba vacuum cleaning robot back in 2012. Initially, I treated it like any other household appliance, but that quickly changed when I had to perform regular maintenance on it. As I took the robot apart, I became fascinated with its inner workings. What impressed me most was how user-friendly the Roomba was. Its modular design made replacing mechanical parts simple, and its interface was incredibly simple. With just three primary buttons: Clean, Spot, and Home, it allowed me and other users to operate the device without needing an instruction manual.

Building on that, iRobot became one of my favorite companies in terms of product design, features, and ease of use, which convinced me to purchase their other products, including the iRobot Braava floor mopping robot and the iRobot Looj gutter cleaning robot. This experience sparked my curiosity about how technology can be designed not just for function but with the user in mind.

Among all the college majors I evaluated before enrolling in different universities, mechanical engineering seemed to align with my interests, as I wanted to focus on the hardware aspects of technology. However, my experience with mechanical engineering was primarily focused on achieving a functional final product, with little emphasis on making hardware more user-friendly. The priority was always ensuring the machine worked, rather than refining the user experience.

This realization led me to explore whether I could continue my studies by finding universities that offered courses in human-computer interaction to complement my mechanical engineering background. I discovered that the Computer Science program at San Francisco State University offers courses in human-computer interaction, which led me to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science as a transition toward a Master's degree in the field. After completing my Master's degree in Computer Science at San Francisco State University, my goal is to find a job as a technician in an assembly line or possibly as a robotics technician at a robotics company.


Human-Computer Interactions Excitement

This is my first opportunity to explore the details of human-computer interactions and contribute in a group to developing a conceptual product that demonstrates effective human-computer interactions. So far, I have learned that human-computer interactions are about designing technology that seamlessly integrates into people’s lives. It’s not just about building systems that simply work. It is about making systems more accessible, efficient, and enjoyable to use. It combines comprehensive research and design to enhance how humans interact with these systems. An important aspect of human-computer interaction is that creativity is highly valued, and I want to be able to demonstrate this skill.

Human-Computer Interactions’ Life Impact 

There are 3 examples of how human-computer interactions has positively influenced my daily experiences:

1. One example of how human-computer interactions have a positive influence in my life is my recent transition to using Windows 11. In my opinion, Windows 11's interface feels more polished and clearer than previous versions of Windows. The improved graphics to the better placement of different menu icons and settings make my workflow more productive and smoother. 


2. Another example of how human-computer interactions have positively influenced my life is my recent purchase of the new-style Kidde Smoke Detectors. These life-saving devices, which I installed around my house this summer, have an improved design that better matches the home decor, easier installation, minimal setup from the user, and clear audio alerts to indicate whether they are doing a test or detecting a fire. This is a significant improvement over older smoke detectors I have, which were unappealing in design, difficult to install and use, and lacked communication.

3. A final example of how human-computer interactions have positively influenced my life is the iOS interface on iPhones. iOS offers an intuitive and user-friendly experience with well-placed app icons, accessible notifications, and organized settings. It avoids unnecessary functions that could cause confusion in my mobile experience. It is a seamless and satisfying system to use.

Human-Computer Interactions Alignment with My Personal Growth

Studying human-computer interactions helps me develop a mindset that satisfying user needs is a priority. It encourages me to think beyond just building systems. I have to design experiences that truly benefit people. As I continue this journey, I believe human-computer interactions will shape me into becoming a better designer who can bridge the gap between human understanding and technology. 

Group Project: Enhancing Tutorials

For this semester, my group is working on a project to develop an application that provides interactive tutorials, making it easier for general users to learn various tasks step by step. We chose this project because traditional tutorials, which are mostly text-based or video-based are not always effective. They often require users to search through multiple sources or examine through vague graphics, which is inefficient and time-consuming.

This project is meaningful to me because it aligns with my passion for technology and user-centered design. I believe that learning complex tasks, such as building a desktop PC, or performing appliance repairs, can be greatly improved through interactive, visual tutorials rather than relying solely on text or videos.

By the end of this semester, our group hopes to develop an application that offers a more intuitive and structured interface to follow tutorials. This project is an opportunity to explore how interactive learning can improve the tutorial experience, helping users gain confidence in completing tasks efficiently.

Thanks for reading! 

Think of an example of a great Human-Computer Interaction that has positively impacted your life.


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