In case you were wondering: I am a graduate of the Human Computer Interaction M.A. program at the State University of New York at Oswego, where I also received my B.S. degree in Computer Science. I am highly motivated, adaptive, and goal oriented with exceptional project management and problem solving skills. I desire to develop interfaces and software to enhance usability and the user experience.

In a nutshell HCI is the development and design of interfaces to enhance and increase the enjoyment and efficiency of use for any point where a person interacts with an automated device.  This is anything from a vending machine to cell phones to web sites to even the space shuttle. When developing software or interfaces there are usually two distinct ways of thinking about it, two seperate but equally important camps: the developers and the designers.

The former wants to make it work quickly and efficiently, but they often overlook the need to provide explanations, help, and tools to perform tasks, expecting everyone to have the same understanding that they do. The later want to make it look good, to have all the bells and whistles and be polished to a shine, but they often overlook the fact that some of the really awesome effects they have in mind do not work well within the interface or the underlying code.

In these cases, respectively, it is like trying to cut down a tree with a herring and like trying to use a peacock as a hang glider.  HCI acts as a bridge, a line of communication, and a mediator between the two camps. In the end the only thing that matters is how the software and interface is percieved and utilized by the user.