Work samples from the 2009-2010 academic year at Carnegie Mellon University's Human-Computer Interaction Institute.

1. Aaron Schwartz
User Experience Research and Design
ajacobschwartz@gmail.com
718.974.7709

2. Work Samples
Course projects
From ideation to physical prototyping
page 3 Daisy Cam
Course: Activating Environments
4 Random Cam
Course: Gadgets, Sensors and Activity Recognition in HCI
User Research and Design
5-9 Cheeosk - the cheese kiosk
Course: Basic Interaction Design
Personal projects
10 Experience Design: wedding edition
11 Found-object art
Aaron Schwartz Master’s, Human-Computer Interaction Carnegie Mellon University 2

3. Daisy Cam Activating Environments, Fall 2009
Summary
Designed an ambient-energy powered
memory sharing device, culminating with
concepts for a wearable / mountable
camera powered by wind and solar energy.
The Problem
People do not remember days, they
remember moments. We endeavored to
create a digital capture device with a touch
of whimsy and unpredictability to capture
otherwise lost everyday moments.
Goals
Conjure the nostalgia of taking pictures
with a film camera, with no “Let me see
how it came out!” Capture lost moments of Mounted to a bike, the camera can chronicle Front view of camera lens, solar and wind panels
everyday life that at the time would not be your journeys without slowing you down
deemed photo-worthy, but that in later years
become invaluable.
The Design
This wearable device has three layers.
The front panel contains a solar panel
and the camera lens. The middle panel
folds out to reveal a pinwheel. The rear
panel contains the chargeable power
source and the circuitry.
The shutter fires automatically when
enough energy has been harvested. The Bodystorming an armband pinwheel for wind-power Testing an early version as a wearable device
only control is an on/off switch. Pictures
can be uploaded via USB or SD card. Concept: Aaron Schwartz
Process, Ideation: Aaron Schwartz and team
Fabrication: Aaron Schwartz and Cheng Xu
Aaron Schwartz Master’s, Human-Computer Interaction Carnegie Mellon University 3

4. Random Cam Gadgets, Sensors and Activity, Spring 2010
Summary
Inspired by the Daisy Cam project,
I created a working prototype of an
intermittent wearable camera.
Goal
Create a working prototype of an
intermittent camera designed to capture
moments.
The Design
As a first working iteration of a wearable,
intermittent camera, functionality was
Prototype front view, showing lens and light-meter What’s inside: hacked keychain-camera,
prioritized over design aesthetics.
Arduino microprocessor, LED, light-meter
The project centers around an inexpensive
digital keychain camera. A breadboard
connects the camera, LED, light-meter and
power leads to an Arduino microcontroller.
Code written in Processing allows the
Arduino to communicate with the camera.
A Radioshack project enclosure houses all
the components and necessary batteries.
When the device is powered on, the
Arduino takes light readings at set intervals,
triggering the shutter to take a photograph
if there is sufficient lighting. Circuit schematic diagram of the prototype Wires soldered to power and shutter buttons
Aaron Schwartz Master’s, Human-Computer Interaction Carnegie Mellon University 4

5. Cheeosk page 1/5 Basic Interaction Design, Spring 2010
Goals
Create a cheese-recommendation system to
address the needs of inexperienced cheese
buyers, while enhancing cheesemongers’
relationships with their customers
Problems
Novice cheese buyers face a barrier to entry
Approaching a cheese counter is intimidating
Consumers do not wish to appear ignorant
Process and Methods
Online competitive analyses
Brick and mortar field observations
Modeling
Personas
Wireframing/Prototyping
Navigational flows
Solution
A dual system with in-store and at
home components to:
Facilitate customer / cheesemonger relationships
Increase customer knowledge
Aaron Schwartz Master’s, Human-Computer Interaction Carnegie Mellon University 5

6. Cheeosk page 2/5 In Store and Online Competitive Analysis
Process
Investigate existing online resources for
cheese purchasing, recommendations
- 7 Cheese websites and blogs
- 3 Wine websites
- 2 Supermarkets
- 2 Speciality Shops
Online findings
- Strong visual presentation
- Categories for browsing
- Ability to filter
The team takes a trip to a specialty cheese shop Leading a retrospective interview with an
- Recommendations and pairings in Pittsburgh’s Strip District shopping area expert cheesemonger provides insights into
the customer experience
In store findings
- Shoppers know what they like, but can’t
always express it
- Tasting cheese is crucial to the experience
- Cheesemongers help customers explore
outside their comfort zone
- Cheeses have stories, and even a sense of
romance for many people
Several prominent cheese shops present similar layouts and navigation options on their homepages.
Imagery plays a central role, as do options for searching.
Aaron Schwartz Master’s, Human-Computer Interaction Carnegie Mellon University 6

7. Cheeosk page 3/5 Customer/Cheesemonger Information Flow
The Model
Visual representation of research
findings from conversations with:
5 Cheesemongers
3 Expert Purchasers
3 Novice Purchasers
Experiences differ
Green arrows represent novice
customers’ interactions.
Blue arrows represent experienced
customers’ interactions.
Breakdowns, shown in red,
highlight existing issues our team
can avoid when creating a system.
Aaron Schwartz Master’s, Human-Computer Interaction Carnegie Mellon University 7

8. Cheeosk page 4/5 Persona: Frank Punnci, Cheesemonger
Background
- Grew up in Italy on a dairy farm
- Moved to New York at age 15
- Started cheesemongering at 23
- Friendly, enthusiastic
- Has regular customers
- Not computer savvy
Life goals
- Support himself in New York City
- Open his own cheese shop
- Promote his parents’ cheeses
Experience goals Creating a persona helped the team set a focus and
provided a vehicle for our scenario-driven presentation
- Navigate the system easily
- Share information with customers
End goals
- Create a sense of romance about cheese
- Introduce customers to cheeses outside
their comfort zone
- Enhance relationships and build up a
customer base to open his own store
Aaron Schwartz Master’s, Human-Computer Interaction Carnegie Mellon University 8

9. Cheeosk page 5/5 Wireframing and Prototyping
Customer website
Features include:
- Browse by style
- Browse by region
- View maps to provide context
- Offer comparisons to encourage exploration
- Save cheeses to a wish list
The website allows customers to explore and learn at their leisure, as well as create
an easily retrieved wish list to aid the cheesemonger during their next visit to the store.
In-store vendor kiosk
Features include:
- Display customer purchase history
- See customer’s cheese lists
- Build and save cheese plates
- Show regional maps to provide context
The kiosk features large buttons and an intuitive interface. Information from the
customer website helps the cheesemonger tailor their advice and build their relationship.
Aaron Schwartz Master’s, Human-Computer Interaction Carnegie Mellon University 9

10. Repurposing the Lost Found object art: metalsmithing with discarded memorabilia and
hardware to create decorative and sometimes functional pieces
The Problem
Antique shops, yardsales and flea markets become
repositories for boxfulls of discarded photographs.
The images which were once cherished and held
dear now languish, and are practically worthless. The
same applies to mechanical objects, though with less
poignancy. They have no purpose and no value.
Goals
As an artist, attempt to evoke some sense of wonder.
Help people imagine a story behind the images that
have been brought back to life. Evoke a narrative or
create context for the images in their new incarnations. nobody asked - front and rear you will see
Design
Combining disparate and discarded objects gave
them new life. Small pieces of new material were
sometimes added, but the focus remained on what
was salvaged.
The use of text creates a loose narrative, suggesting
a story to the viewer. By joining the pieces in this
manner and creating that story, each part is given a
new life as part of the whole.
the utensil formerly known as fork How Dancing Came to Be - front and rear
Aaron Schwartz Master’s, Human-Computer Interaction Carnegie Mellon University 10

11. Our Wedding “The best wedding ever.” (their words, not mine)
Summary
- 200 Playbill-style wedding programs
- 84 foam dart guns
- 500+ darts
- 1 James Bond-themed entry to the reception
- 6 lanes at the bowling after-party
Goals
Create an event that really stands out in our
guests’ memories, expressing my and my wife’s
quirkiness and individuality. Bring my sense of
playfulness and the absurd to put a personal
stamp on this most important day.
The Design
My wife Alana works as a Press Agent on
A Playbill-styled wedding program created in A James Bond theme sets the stage for a game
Broadway, so I styled the wedding programs InDesign explains the wedding ceremony of assassins during the reception
after theatrical Playbills.
Eighty four foam dart guns and over five hundred
darts were procured and distributed to wedding
guests. Cards were given out along with the seat
assignments, naming each guest’s target and
explaining the rules of the game. The reception
ostensibly became a 4 hour long game of
assassins, but as desired quickly devolved into a
chaotic storm of darts.
Both Alana and I are bowlers, and fans of the
Dude. Fliers placed on the tables invite guests to
roll at an after-party at the lanes across the street. Seating cards contain instructions and target After-party invitation The aftermath: a vase
assignment for “assassins” dart-tag game to the bowling lanes used for target practice
across the street
Aaron Schwartz Master’s, Human-Computer Interaction Carnegie Mellon University 11

12. Aaron Schwartz
User Experience Research and Design
Objective:
Application of Human-Computer Interaction methods to discover and advocate for
users’ needs, directing the design process. Work on interdisciplinary teams to coordinate
development from research to implementation.
Education:
Carnegie Mellon MS Human-Computer Interaction 08/10
Binghamton University BA English, Magna Cum Laude 05/00
Experience:
01/10 – 08/10 Project Coordinator, Masters in HCI Capstone Project
Human-Computer Interaction Institute at CMU, Pittsburgh, PA
01/09 -- 07/09 Training Consultant, Cisco VOIP System Implementations (NY, NJ, PA)
Maestri Consultants, Atkinson, NH
08/06 – 08/08 Senior Client Trainer and Technical Writer,
M5 Networks VOIP Phone Service Provider, New York, NY
09/03 – 06/06 High School English Teacher, Special Education
Parents for Torah for All Children (P’TACH), New York, NY
09/01 -- 06/03 Assistant Teacher, Applied Behavioral Analysis
Shema Kolainu School for Autistic Children, Brooklyn, NY
ajacobschwartz@gmail.com
718.974.7709