Maria F.
Q: How did you first become interested in the field of UX Design?
A: My background is mostly graphic design. I have a graphic design background and a graphic design Bachelor’s and Master’s. I was always interested in the digital world. I currently work in print, so I wanted to explore the digital world a little bit more, so I started researching where I could go and learn more about that avenue.
Q: What is one aspect of your experience at Touro GST that you find exceptional?
A: I have to say the process of learning. Right now creating my thesis, it was done in a way where I was in charge as if I was in the real world which was a piece of an experience that I can honestly say that I wouldn’t be able to get unless I was in the real world so being a student and having a little bit of a taste of what that’s like. If I had questions or I needed more time or anything that I was having problems with throughout the process, it was my responsibility to reach out for the help as opposed to being constantly kind of on top of what the professor does like, “what was the assignment? are you handing this in?” I was driving the project and it was my responsibility to complete it from the start, to have the project created from the beginning to the end.
Q: Has GST delivered on what was promised?
A: Yes, it is delivering on what it’s promised. The classes have been targeted towards a single project so that you are getting every part of the process from beginning to end instead of having a little project throughout the semester so you’re constantly evolving and creating one project and learning new things that you can implement to that project for the final semester.
Q: What is ONE WORD that describes how you feel about Touro GST and the education that you are receiving?
A: Excited, I’m always excited to learn something new. Each class brings a different way of thinking, a different avenue that I haven’t explored yet so there’s never a dull moment to say the least. I’m always excited to what’s coming next.
Q: Summarize your very impressive thesis project.
A: This is an application that is web-based and mobile-based where it organizes and organizes your paid and unpaid subscriptions in one location. It was a project that I enjoyed creating very much. It’s something that I feel would benefit not only my life but a lot of other people. I just had so much fun creating all the facets and doing all the research and the color theories and everything that went into creating it, I just had so much fun doing and I was excited to share what I came up with with everyone. As you can see here, as I said, the project was a desktop and mobile based project. It was a Google Chrome extension that has a desktop hub with it. It is called "SubHub" (Subscription Hub). I also created the mobile application, so you have your organization tools with you anywhere at any time.
Q: How did the WMM program help you grow as a designer?
A: I am currently a designer for a publishing house. I create children’s book jackets, so I’m very much in the print world and I have been able to take some of what I’ve learned so far and implement it a little bit into what I have been doing, a little bit more of the digital things especially since we’re now in quarantine, the digital market has become a little bit more important than what the print world has been since everything is being sold through eBooks or Amazon. We have to be more aware of how everything is being displayed so that helps a little bit. I was also able to create a lot of GIFS using After Effects, which is a class that I did take, Type in Motion, which having that knowledge, I would not have been able to create but they’re using that now to kind of promote our books. I have learned a lot of the applications that I will have to use out in the real world or touch base on them so that I’m aware that they exist so that it allows me to further explore on my own time. There, I’m being taught everything that I would need to know but it’s up to me to further explore and further enrich my education.
Q: Why is UX Design so important today?
A: UX/UI is so important today because everything needs to be user-friendly. You want it to be as simple and as clear as possible. You don’t want anyone to be confused. You want everyone to be able to navigate easily so the UX/UI design are super important to get your message across.
Q: Is UX Design a great field for remote work opportunities?
A: Yes, I believe UX/UI could be a remote-based field, so you don’t need to be in the office with each other. You have, like we are currently doing now, Zoom, Figma and Invision. This allows applications to be developed with not needing to be on top of each other. You’re still able to communicate.
Q: What is your plan for future employment?
A: I currently am probably sticking with what I’m doing for a little bit but I’m always open to new opportunities and open to explore new things. My company definitely has avenues where I could take my Master’s and move and still stick within the company that I’m at. I’d love to eventually transition into more of a UX/UI position.
Q: What tips would you offer to beginners in the UX field?
A: Because it is a design field, in the beginning of the program there are some prerequisites that I would suggest taking if you have no clue about design at all. That would be one of my biggest suggestions out there.
Q: What would you tell someone who is currently considering several UX/UI programs?
A: I would say that Touro should be at your top. If you’re still unsure, I would potentially go and reach to someone at Touro and have a conversation with them. Maybe they’ll be able to further assist you on whether or not the Touro program is good for you. That’s exactly what I did. I went to an open house, I had conversations with Nataliya who was the advisor director. After that conversation, I found that Touro was a perfect fit for me.
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