Blog
Welcome to my learning journey! I am an Experience Architecture major with a minor in Graphic Design & this space captures developmental experiences from my UX/UI courses at Michigan State University. I am committed to continuous learning & staying up-to-date on trends in this field, so I am excited to share my findings!
Week 15: UH OH…FINALS
12/2/24
This week has been very hectic. Not only is it exam week, but it's also the week that tests my mental strength. I had honors projects, final assignments, exams, quizzes, and the occasional email to my professors for a grade boost. Despite all that, the final group project presentation was especially rewarding. We achieved everything we set out to accomplish and the feedback we received was of resounding success. This experience of trust in others, personal responsibility, and resilience when faced with setbacks (like losing a teammate) was a learning curve that ultimately pushed us to go above and beyond.
Next semester I look forward to exploring more topics in my major and continuing learning about the subject that I am so passionate about. Overall, the semester had its ups and downs, but I learned to persevere and view the world in a larger lens. This blog especially has allowed me to be more introspective and acknowledge that college is not just about books, it's about a common humanity, working with others, engaging with learning on a deeper level, and understanding that regardless of the differences we have as individuals, we all have aspirations, hopes, and dreams as we strive for a more perfect world.
week 14:
It’s Giving… Constructive Criticism
11/26/24
Peer review days always feel like showing up to a potluck with your dish and hoping someone says, “Who made this? It's so good!” This week, my Experience Architecture class had a second round of peer reviews, but this time for our final team projects. I’m not gonna lie—it hit different. Maybe it’s because we’ve done this before but I feel like it’s because our projects are really starting to turn into masterpieces. This time there was a sense of progress. Like, yeah, there’s still work to do, but we’re getting somewhere. My team has made real strides on our Wicked Problem Project and it felt good to show our peers how far we’ve come.
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Giving feedback this round felt easier too. Now we know what to look for. Plus seeing another team’s progress made me realize that every group is navigating their own challenges. Some teams had great research but needed help tying it all together, while others had strong visuals but needed more depth. It’s cool how everyone’s strengths can inspire new ideas for your own work. I think I’ve learned to separate myself from my work and take comments as opportunities instead of critiques. My team got some great suggestions about adding more detail and making our final presentation flow better. It’s wild how a fresh perspective can unlock solutions you didn’t even know you needed. By the end of class, we were already tweaking our project based on the feedback. It felt productive like we’re really building something meaningful. I love these moments of collaboration. Putting your work out there can make you feel vulnerable, but hearing, “This is good, but here’s how it could be better,” is what makes the journey so worth it. It’s like the UX version of a group chat hyping you up while also calling you out. Constructive, but with love.
week 13:
Keeping Tabs on Progress
11/12/24
College life is a crazy balance between assignments, internships, and figuring out how to adult. It's easy to feel overwhelmed when everything’s happening all at once. UX projects are kind of the same. This week in my Experience Architecture class, we talked about Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which are basically how to measure if what you’re doing is actually working. To be honest it’s the kind of structured thinking I need in my life.
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KPIs are all about turning lots of moving parts into smaller, manageable tasks. They answer questions like, “Is this design working? Are users happy? Are we making progress?” Some indicators are numbers-based, like how quickly users can complete a task or how many errors they run into (oops). Others are more vibes-based, like how satisfied users feel after using the system. Both kinds matter, and together, they give you the full picture. What hit me the most was the importance of baselines. Measuring progress starts with knowing where you’re starting from, for example, checking your bank account before a big purchase. Without that, you’re just guessing. It’s a reminder that tracking improvement isn’t just for UX projects; it’s a life skill.
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Working on our class projects, I realized KPIs can help focus your energy. Instead of stressing over every detail, they helped me to zoom in on what really matters. Are users easily finding what they need? Is the system doing exactly what it’s supposed to? Those are the questions that helped to keep my team on track. Now, excuse me while I go set some personal KPIs for finals season.
week 12:
Metadata Magic
11/14/24
As a student in Experience Architecture, I’m realizing how much goes on behind the scenes to make digital spaces feel organized. This week, we talked about metadata, tags, and taxonomies, and it really clicked for me how essential they are. Metadata is the real hero of the internet. It's those little details that make sure content is findable. Without it, everything would be a big mess. It’s not just about organizing stuff, it’s about designing systems that actually make sense for people.
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What really stuck with me this week was how much responsibility designers have when creating these systems. It’s easy to think, “Oh, I’ll just organize it by category,” but even something as simple as a label can have a big impact. This may be a little scary but at the same time, it’s kind of empowering. Knowing that what I create can help someone find exactly what they need, or make them feel seen, is a big deal. It’s a reminder that UX isn’t just about tech; it’s about people.
week 11:
Wicked Projects
11/5/24
This week we explore the idea of wicked problems. These are cultural and systemic problems that do not have an obvious source or solution, yet the consequences are far reaching. Problems like this are easy to identify because they affect all members of a community. The wicked aspect comes from the difficulty in finding solutions that can really make a difference, as sometimes they may only solve one aspect of the problem, or only help a few people. My group discussed the prominent issue of Climate Change and how it is changing the world we live in every day, although there is no way to pinpoint how it all started, or even how it will end.
To get our hands on the real scope of this challenge in active teams, we began a project to identify an issue, use research to unpack and fully understand the depth of the issue, and creatively develop a highly effective solution. We began by creating a project pitch that would bring attention to an issue among classmates.
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Here is an excerpt from my pitch:
“This project will attempt to find an effective solution to the Wicked Problem of safety on university campuses. Danger and safety are a constant concern in societies, especially in large communities where many people do not know each other. Some aspects of the issue include Prevention, Protection, and Legal Action.”
week 10:
solo sort support
10/31/24
For the past 10 weeks, we have been working on collecting definitions of key concepts from every class meeting. Today, our collections came to a head when we were asked to bring our words on written index cards for a card sorting activity. Card sorting is a method of data analysis where every individual topic. I was not able to attend class so I completed the class activity on my own, at home.
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The instructions were as follows:
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“Take a few minutes to work on sorting your cards, noting connections and categories that may arise.”
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Here is the result of my card sort
Category 1: Behavior
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Escalating System Trap
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Feedback Loop
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Empathy
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Feedback
Category 2: Structures
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Scope
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Hierarchy
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Site Map
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Card Sorting
Category 3: Ungrouped
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Typography
week 9:
Peer Review Panic: A UX Student’s Survival Guide
10/24/24
Peer review days are the ultimate mix of excitement and dread. As a college student in the College of Arts and Letters, I’ve come to accept that putting your work out there for feedback is just as terrifying as it is necessary. I personally have needed to get more and more used to being open minded about receiving feedback on what I view as a work of art. But as they say, “practice makes perfect,” and I am striving to create masterpieces.
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This week, we had peer reviews for our Website Structure projects. The vibe? A little chaotic but very insightful. Each team had to review two other projects, which meant diving into other people’s work and figuring out what worked, what didn’t, and where things could improve. (Shoutout to my team for uploading everything on time lol.) I noticed that the most important part of peer review is clarity. Your work has to communicate its purpose without needing an explanation. That’s something I really focused on while giving feedback. I asked myself “does this project make sense to someone outside the team?” And honestly, getting feedback like this from my peers was just as valuable. It’s easy to get so deep into your project that you miss obvious issues, like an inconsistent layout.
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What I’ve learned through this process is that feedback isn’t just about pointing out what’s wrong. It’s about collaboration. When someone says, “Have you thought about trying this?” It's an opportunity to make your work stronger. It’s exciting to see your ideas evolve. So, if you’re in a UX class (or any creative field), it is key to embrace the fresh perspective from peer reviews.
week 8:
Divide and Conquer
10/15/24
Systems. Are. Everywhere. They guide how we work, learn, and interact. But let’s be so forreal… sometimes, systems fail us. They can get really messy. In my Experience Architecture class, we’re learning how to spot the flaws in systems, understand their traps, and design better ones. This week’s reading, “Feminist Rhetorics and Interaction Design” by Sano-Franchini, made me think about how systems hold power. It emphasized the need for inclusion and equity when creating structures that impact people’s lives. Combining that with our class discussion on system traps helped me to realize just how much UX designers have to navigate between fixing problems and addressing the big picture.
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The “Tragedy of the Commons,” is one of the traps we discussed. It’s when people overuse shared resources, like free Wi-Fi or campus parking, until they break or become unusable. The fix is strengthening feedback loops so users feel the impact of their actions and this is creating shared accountability. This idea ties directly to feminist interaction design: designing systems where everyone feels heard and responsible. Then there’s the “Drift to Low Performance” trap, where low expectations create a cycle of worse and worse outcomes. But systems can break this cycle by celebrating wins and holding onto high standards, showing that progress is possible.
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The most powerful takeaway from this week: Systems aren’t static—they evolve based on the goals and behaviors we feed them. By dividing the problems into manageable parts (and applying feminist principles like inclusivity and respect), we can conquer even the trickiest systems and create designs that uplift everyone. So remember, divide and conquer. Fixing systems starts with understanding their flaws, one piece at a time.
week 7:
Lost? we Have ur Back!
10/8/24
Ever felt totally lost on a website, clicking around like, “Where am I? How did I get here?” Same. In class, we recently dove into navigation and wayfinding. These are fancy UX terms for figuring out how to help users move through a system (navigation) and understand where they are (wayfinding). Your favorite website likely has a clean menu at the top (main navigation), links at the bottom (footer navigation), and a search bar that actually works. This week in class, one concept that stuck with me is how different systems need different structures. For example, a museum website might use a web-like structure to encourage exploring, while Michigan State University’s course catalog sticks to something hierarchical for efficiency. It’s all about matching the navigation to the user’s goals and behaviors.
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We talked about the types of navigation which are main, utility, search, and even social navigation. Each serves a specific purpose but they all work together to make sure users can get where they need to go. What I’ve realized is that navigation is about being seamless. So the next time you’re lost on a website, just know that some UX student like me is working hard to make sure that doesn’t happen again.
week 6: Labels Are More Than Just Names
10/1/24
Have you ever clicked on a website, stared at a menu, and thought, What does that even mean? Yeah, same. As a college student majoring in Experience Architecture (aka UX design), I’m learning just how much power categories and labels hold in creating a user’s experience. In class, we’ve been exploring the art of categorizing content and labeling it effectively. It’s not as simple as slapping a name on something and calling it done. Categories have to meet criteria that reflect the user’s needs, the business’s goals, and the current and future state of the content. Labels are important too, as they must be clear, specific, inclusive, and consistent.
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We looked at real-world examples like the MSU Federal Credit Union website, where labels like "Loans" and "Rates" balance generality and specificity with dropdowns for detailed navigation. Compare that to TikTok, where categories are algorithm-driven such as "For You" and "Trending" which feel broad but work because of TikTok’s highly personalized structure.
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My favorite part of this topic was trying out methods like affinity diagramming and card sorting to organize and label content in ways that make sense for real users. It’s like solving a puzzle, only that the stakes are way higher because if you get it wrong, then users are frustrated, confused, or seek business elsewhere. I’ve realized that labels are the first touchpoint of trust between a user and a business. A good label says, “I understand what you need.” So that’s what makes UX design feel so rewarding. We’re bringing human needs to the forefront, one label at a time.
week 5: Audits impose order on chaos
9/24/24
Some websites are just a hot mess. You know what I'm talking about: broken links, outdated content, and navigation that makes you feel like you’re lost in a maze. That’s where audits come in. This week I’ve learned that content audits are the first step in untangling the chaos of messy systems. In class, we’ve been diving into the nitty-gritty of what audits are: a process to figure out what content exists, how it’s structured, and whether it’s doing its job. The phrase “audits impose order on chaos” has been thrown around, and I totally agree.
The goal is to understand what’s there and what needs fixing. To create a system that works for its users and actually makes sense. In our group activity, we took on small sections of websites and filled out detailed spreadsheets documenting tone, style, and structure. It was tedious but oddly satisfying, kind of like organizing your closet. What I’ve realized is that audits aren’t just about organizing… they’re about understanding. You can’t fix what you don’t know, and audits give you the full picture of what’s working and what’s not. Plus, they set the stage for creating systems that are cohesive, user-friendly, and maybe even beautiful.
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Next time you feel overwhelmed by a chaotic website, just remember: a good audit can work wonders. And as someone who’s spent a lot of time with spreadsheets lately, please believe that imposing order on chaos feels empowering.
Week 4: Schemes Aren't Actually Sketchy!
9/17/24
Let’s be honest—when we hear the word “scheme,” our first thought might be of some cartoon villain plotting away. But in the world of User Experience design, schemes are actually one of the coolest ways to create structure and meaning in complex systems. This week I’ve learned that organizing systems is a lot like organizing our lives. Schemes are all about relationships between objects. For example, music playlists are more than just lists of songs. They connect user preferences with algorithms to suggest the perfect vibe. That’s a scheme!
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In class, we broke down systems like the NYC subway or even MSU’s campus. Every system has elements (like nouns), structures (how it’s organized), and functions (what it does). Schemes tie it all together by defining the relationships. For the subway, a scheme could explain how passengers interact with tickets, maps, and trains to navigate from point A to B.
Understanding schemes has changed how I think about everyday systems. From navigating campus to planning group projects, relationships and organization are everywhere. And as a UX designer-in-training, I love seeing how these abstract ideas shape tools we all use daily. So the next time you hear “scheme” think of structure and creativity, not cartoon villains. It’s all part of making life work smoothly!
week 3: Empathy Apathy
9/10/24
I, and many others in class, seemed to have heard the term empathy before…somewhere. As we separated into groups, my teammates immediately felt confident to define that word, empathy as something like “feeling compassionate for others” , “connecting deeply with problems”, “fairness,” etc. It all felt familiar, but also a little too perfect. So, I took a closer look at the reading “Beckon, Encounter, Experience” by Patricia Sullivan and noticed that she clarified the meaning of Empathy within UX as embracing the unpredictability of user interactions and opening up to unanticipated insights and diverse viewpoints.
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From this reading, I learned that empathy in UX research involves more than just observing or documenting user behavior; it’s about creating space for authentic encounters. By loosening strict control mechanisms, we can foster a richer understanding of users’ experiences, which is critical for designing interfaces and interactions that truly resonate with their needs. The chapter challenged me to reflect on the importance of allowing user experiences to unfold naturally, without forcing them into preconceived molds. This approach not only enhances empathy but also strengthens the ability to design solutions that genuinely support and enrich the user experience.
Week 2:
What exactly are Heuristics…?
9/3/24
This week, we focused on heuristics, a term that’s come up countless times since I began my studies in Experience Architecture. Despite hearing it so often—and even applying heuristics in user research practices— I found myself questioning, “What even are heuristics??” After a lecture and discussion in class, I realized that at their core, heuristics are like mental shortcuts that help people make decisions and solve problems quickly. In the context of UX research and design, they serve as guiding principles to create more intuitive, user-friendly designs. But as I dug deeper, I began to see that they’re not just rules for creating interfaces; heuristics help shape how users experience and interact with products on a psychological level.
For example, the principle of “consistency and standards” helps users navigate without having to relearn basic interactions across different platforms. Realizing how deeply heuristics influence design made me rethink their value. They’re like invisible tools, often operating in the background but making an enormous difference in how users feel about the design. Understanding heuristics at this deeper level gives me a new perspective, one that will shape how I approach user research and design decisions going forward.
Week 1:
Refreshing Refresher
8/27/24
I was in absolute shock when I realized that I made it off the waitlist for XA 375, Experience Architecture. YAY! My hope in taking this class is to solidify my research skills and gain more experiences working in teams. In order to ensure that I stay on track this semester, I set these SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timed) goals for myself:
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Build a closer relationship with the professor and develop an honors project opportunity with them.
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Create a Linkedin Account and then friend all of my past and present professors, co workers, and classmates.
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Find a mentor, or ask more questions to the professionals that I idolize.
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Take on the role of Project Manager in at least one team project.
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Keep an updated work planner with all of my daily to-dos.
In addition to my personal goals, we students were also given expectations for our learning in the course, set by the instructor Imari Tetu.
According to the F24 XA 375 02 Syllabus, “At the end of this course, you will be able to:
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Understand the foundations of information architecture as it is researched and practiced;
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Make connections across theory and practices associated with creating flexible, dynamic structures that deliver information to users when and where they need it;
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Consider how our work impact people, cultures, and societies;
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Research, develop, write, and edit useful, informative materials for diverse audiences;
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Foster ethical and reflective practice, laying a foundation for a career working in experience architecture as a researcher and practitioner.”
And so, I’m finally diving into the core of what I came here to study! I’m excited to learn how to create real impact through design and make even more connections in the field that will further assist my professional development.