Timeline Overview
First
Six Months
Research Assistant, Study Moderator
In my role as a research assistant, I moderated participant sessions, ensuring a comfortable and precise data collection environment. This involved administering activities to capture unique facial physiognomy, verifying content accessibility for visually constrained participants within the headset, and tracking eye-movement patterns.
Last
Six Months
Research Scientist, Research Manager
As a research scientist, my role involved direct client interaction, enabling me to effectively communicate their desired methodologies and data collection requirements to the research team. I collaborated closely with the recruitment team to ensure participant demographics aligned with client specifications, and I managed the logistical process of physical data shipment across four geographically dispersed teams.
Goals
I utilized physical prototypes to thoroughly assess the comfort, usability, and overall satisfaction of the headset being developed. This multifaceted approach allowed for a comprehensive understanding of user experience and informed iterative improvements to the headset design.
Guide participants through key activities while meticulously recording eye movements, facial expressions, and vocal audio.
Administered surveys to collect quantitative data regarding participant comfort and satisfaction with the headset.
Minimize user discomfort and maximize satisfaction with the headset, enhancing overall product adoption.
Reponsibilities
In-Person In-Depth Interviews (IDIs):
I engaged participants in a diverse range of both qualitative and quantitative tasks to understand their experiences.
Data Coding & Recruitment Trends
I analyzed participant responses to identify key trends and patterns, and ensured recruitment demographics aligned with client requirements.
Data Management
I oversaw and managed the physical data shipment process, ensuring secure and efficient delivery, across four distinct sites.
Project Oversight:
Streamlined research processes, optimizing data collection and analysis timelines for efficient project delivery.
Data-Driven Design Decisions:
Synthesized complex qualitative data into clear, concise reports, enabling the design team to address critical user pain points and enhance overall satisfaction.
Improved User Adoption:
Identified key usability challenges and provided prioritized recommendations to optimize the Vision Pro's interface for novice users.
Proactive Research and Discovery:
Identified new research questions, contributing to a deeper understanding of user needs and guiding future product development.
Impact
My year long contract at Exponent equipped me with a robust skill set encompassing prototype testing, data analysis, and team leadership. These capabilities, coupled with my direct impact on product development, highlight my ability to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of user-centric AR/VR technologies.
Our research not only had a direct impact on Memoji capabilities but also significantly influenced the development of FaceTime expressions designed specifically for use while wearing AR/VR headsets. This demonstrates the tangible influence our work had on shaping the future of virtual communication and expression.
