Hello. My name is Hajin Choi.
I create interactions that facilitate communication between people, information, and system.
I'm graduating in December 2010 with a master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction
at Carnegie Mellon University where I also earned the BFA in Communication Design.
I'm currently seeking for a job in the field of User Experience and/or Interaction Design.
My interest lies in Interface and Information Design because I'm excited about...

1) creating means for people to have effective, pleasant and enriching experiences in getting their job done and interacting with others, and
2) dealing with complexity and turning raw data and resources to something purposeful and meaningful.

I consider problems are opportunites.
Born in Seoul, Korea, have
called Pittsburgh home for four years now/Soft-spoken and extremely optimistic/Love walking aimlessly in nice weather while listening to music/Enjoy alone time as well as good convo with good company/Drink lots of coffee/Laugh a lot :)
I'm fascinated by how well-conceived designs,
coupled with technologies, can bring benefits to our everyday lives.
When solving problems, I always try to grasp the holistic picture and the details using my analytic and intuitive mind with right balance.
Emote
Contextual Connection Between Mom and Daughter
CHALLENGE
Working in a team of three people, we were asked to create an intelligent service to support a family. This widely open-ended project required us to select a target audience, conduct user research, identify an opportunity area, and iterate design ideas at a fast pace.
QUESTIONS
What are areas in family interaction the computational intelligence can bring benefits to?
How can our system be supportive in helping families without being obtrusive in their daily lives?
SOLUTION
We created "Emote," a system that facilitates remote communication between working moms and daughters aged approximately 8–12. Through the instant exchanges of graphical messages while they are away from each other during the day, they can quickly communicate their emotions, which then can trigger in-person conversations at home afterwards and allow moms to be better connected to their daughters.
"I am not always sure what my kids are thinking. Sometimes,
I don't even understand why they do the things they do."
— a user interview participant

Emote provides the emotional context for the behaviors of moms and daughters by acting as a two-way communication system. Daughters use a dedicated, bracelet-like device and moms use their mobile phone for communication. The message is conveyed through the exchanges of simple icons that allow for immediate sharing of emotions.
Video Sketch
This illustrates how a daughter and a mom shares the stream of their emotions with each other during the day through "Emote."

(Photo shooting scenes and creating interfaces by Hajin Choi, Adobe After Effects production by Sabrina Majeed, sound editing by Carlos Gutierrez)
Key Frames from Video Sketch
Final Storyboard
(Drawn by Sabrina Majeed)
PROCESS
Along the iterative process of brainstorming and validating concepts, storyboarding helped us present our ideas to the potential users in a way that they could provide us with useful feeback.
MY ROLES / SKILLS USED
Photographing and generating interface images for video sketch, Presentation slide design /
User interview, Concept generation, Storyboarding, "Speed dating" (Needs validation)
Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator
DURATION
Oct–Dec 2008
(1 months)
COURSE
Basic Interaction Design
TEAM MEMBERS
Carlos Gutierrez
Sabrina Majeed