material research

What are the cognitive benefits of ecosystem coherence?

Please note: To comply with my non-disclosure agreement, I have omitted and obfuscated confidential information. All information in this case study is my own and does not necessarily reflect the views of Google or its employees.

Please note: To comply with my non-disclosure agreement, I have omitted and obfuscated confidential information. All information in this case study is my own and does not necessarily reflect the views of Google or its employees.

CONTEXT

My Role and Team

I spent 5 months as a 20% UX Researcher for the Material Design team. My mentors were Elizabeth Churchill and Tao Dong.

Goals

I was asked to perform a literature review that would help the UX team: (1) identify cognitive demands that exist in current multi-device ecosystems and (2) demonstrate how ecosystem coherence has a cognitive benefit to end-users.

METHODS

  • Literature Review

  • Design Workshop

DETAILS

I conducted a Literature Review to connect theory and empirical findings from Cognitive Science to multi-device ecosystem design. Based on the the literature, I developed an analytical framework for thinking about these concepts. To engage the UX team with findings, I developed and led a mini-Design Workshop for the team of 30 UXers.

REFLECTIONS

This project allowed me to work with incredibly knowledgable and skilled researchers. Furthermore, it introduced me to the rewarding challenge of connecting research from academic HCI to UX. This experience was one of my primary motivations for pursuing a master’s degree. I wish to develop the same rigor and creativity in my research practices as I saw working with Elizabeth Churchill’s group.