UXD: The Intersection Between Art & Technology

When you think back to the last graphic that captured your eye, you likely immediately admired the artistry behind it without recognizing the technical skills that went into creating it.

“Do you like to FaceTime your grandparents? Do you like to use the GPS on your phone to get from one place to another? Do you like to use social media? None of those things would exist without user experience design and user interfaces,” said Spark! Creative Director and Assistant Professor of Art and Graphic Design, James Grady. “UXD has always been important from the first toothbrush to the first spaceship.”

Spark! UXD Fellowship alum Lucy Baik worked collaboratively with the BU Public Relations team to create illustrations, GIFs, and stickers. Photo by Lucy Baik

User Experience Design, or UXD, serves as the avenue for developing and designing the interfaces and interactions that grace your phone, computer, tablet screens and more. Some may even call it the intersection between art and technology. “Code is a creative medium, just like paint or clay,” said Grady.

During the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdowns, Baik completed one animated poster a week to “keep myself creating and exploring my design systems,” Baik said. Photo by Lucy Baik

Every semester, UXD Spark! Fellows navigate their own journeys using technology as a means of creativity, including former fellow and recent graduate, Lucy Baik.

“I was able to validate my design decisions through research, interviews, and feedback from my professors and peers,” said Baik, who was part of the award winning team, B Scanner, at Fall Demo Day 2020.

“I explored different types of user-centered design, prototyping, agile development, and more. It was a rewarding experience working with such passionate and ambitious teammates and mentors,” said Baik. “I think it is also important to have as many people experience or use the application or project that you are building.”

Grady, who leads the UXD Fellowship, said the program “makes you take a step back and not take all your digital products for granted. You need to think about each step in front of you. You take small steps that add up to a long journey and then you do it over and over again until you have a product that is functional and beautiful.”

Baik served as the UXD Lead for the award-winning team, B Scanner. Photo by Lucy Baik

Through mentorship and a series of workshops in conjunction with RedHat, Baik also learned that “trusting my own design choices is what makes my design stand out. Instead of searching for others ways to stand out and be unique, I think it is more important to invest and develop your own design systems.”

Much like what Baik has picked up on, “I encourage my students to look beyond the trends, to use their instincts, to ask how and why things work the way they do,” said Grady. “Lucy was an exemplary student. Her graphic design training and intuitive compassion allowed her to empathize with the needs of her users and delight them with new ideas and experiences.”

You might’ve seen some of Baik’s work on the digital posters outside of Towers. Photo by Lucy Baik

Post-fellowship, Baik continued building her UXD skills, exploring different technological systems such as AR and 3D motion programs. To check out Baik’s portfolio, visit https://lucybaik.com. 

For those interested in completing the UXD fellowship for class credit or as a paid on-campus Spark! internship, applications are open until July 25: http://bit.ly/UXDSparkFellowship