October!
October
Happy Birthday Pati!
What drew you to human factors and what drew you to Core?
I was always interested in the medical field, so I started out in my undergrad years thinking I would go to medical school. After deciding that the medical school path was not for me, I decided to focus on some more technical aspects of the field and work on medical devices. I actually had no idea what human factors was until I applied for a job at Core! But it fits me well because I get to work on devices and interact with many different types of people in the medical field (patients, physicians, nurses, as well as designers, etc.). I see a huge variety of devices which keeps it interesting; I think if I had continued further down the path of engineering I would see much less of the medical device world as a whole.What is one fun fact about yourself?
I like to keep physically active, but some may think my sports of choice may be considered unconventional. My past hobbies have included Taekwondo (I earned a black belt), Hapkido, Irish step dancing, rock climbing, and kayaking.
What is your educational or professional background and how does it relate to your everyday job at Core?
I majored in Biology as an undergrad, with a concentration in Anthropology, which gave me a love for bodies, biological systems, people, and culture. I got a Masters in Bioengineering which focused my biological knowledge in a more mathematical and materials science sort of direction. I use my knowledge about physiological systems and medicine almost everyday to better understand the way medical devices, and the therapies they are intended for, work and what risks are involved. From anthropology I brought in the highly relevant skills of interviewing and talking to people as well as understanding how societies and personal backgrounds can affect behavior and shape a person's experiences.
What do you enjoy doing most at Core? Have you found a "specialty" or "niche" within Core?
I have found a sort of niche in instructions for use (IFU) design. The one piece of background I have not mentioned yet is that I studied art in community college before ever going to my 4-year undergraduate school. Mind you, I still rarely read instructions in my daily life (sorry, being honest), but I do find designing and testing instructions very interesting especially when images are included and the look-and-feel of the document is important to the client.
What is the worst design you have ever seen and why?
I still can never figure out which direction to turn the knob in my car to turn my car wipers on versus off, and I still turn my wipers on accidentally all the time. Why is that so hard? The fault cannot possibly lie with me, the user, it must be the wipers!
What is the worst design you have ever seen and why?
I still can never figure out which direction to turn the knob in my car to turn my car wipers on versus off, and I still turn my wipers on accidentally all the time. Why is that so hard? The fault cannot possibly lie with me, the user, it must be the wipers!