Finally, a 5-minute YouTube video that explains the Informatics program @ UW. This is for all those iSchoolers out there who’ve received a blank stare or a quick change of topic when you’ve mentioned your major to family and friends.
Props to the iSchool for putting it together, it’s pretty well done!
Now if only I could’ve sent this link out with my college graduation announcements…
“…the nature or matter of the Milky Way itself, which, with the aid of the spyglass, may be observed so well that all the disputes that for so many generations have vexed philosophers are destroyed by visible certainty, and we are liberated from wordy arguments.”
Galileo Galilei, Sidereus Nuncius (Venice, 1610).
As mentioned earlier, I attended a one-day course taught by Edward Tufte on Tuesday. I had been signed up for this training a few months in advance, but for some reason, it wasn’t until I arrived to the event that I began to realize he was one of those “Informatics-celebrities” I had read about in college. The course was titled “Presenting Data and Information” and it was hardly what I expected, but in the best sort of way.
The course emphasized the importance in visualizing data in its ability to reveal truth. This is the type of stuff I get excited about. (Well, information dissemination in general, really.) This is why I like usabilty in how it enables users the get information they want, why I tear out cool charts from magazines, or why I love learning about a new way someone’s conveyed information visually (think tag cloud, sparklines, etc.). Essentially, this is what makes me an INFO-nerd.
So tonight I went to this year’s Informatics Senior Capstone Presentation @ UW with Trevor, Ryan, David, Kevin, Darrin, and Sean. And I must say, it was a pretty fun evening. First it was just my usual joy at seeing familiar faces (including Tho To) and the usual suspects of the iSchool. As the program began, I spotted David M. from Atlas who I work with in Client Services and sat next to him and Trevor for the rest of the program. Later, I had the privilage to introduce David M. to some of the iSchool characters, geek out with Dowell about X-Men, scope out some projects, and welcome the two graduating seniors who will be joining Atlas this summer. That, and gab a lot. It felt much like wading in Informatics and reminded me of why I’m proud to have been a part of the program. It is not without its faults to be sure, but I really did enjoy my time in it and still enjoy being part of the extended iSchool community. In any case, it was a flurry of usability-this, interaction design-that, and many attempts of filling the “information gap”. Afterward, a handful of us went out to Ivar’s for Happy Hour, just like we did after our own Capstone Presentation.
Currently Listening to:
How To Save A Life
By The Fray
Running down Meany Hall steps in caps and gowns with Kathryn and her saying, “Ohmigosh just look at us!” Knowing your faculty and academic deans by first name. Sitting backstage next to Ryan waiting with the crew. Seeing all the faculty decked in academic garb. Feeling pride for my iSchool. Being called back to the mic. Uh. Er. Hi. Admiration for my peers. Being one of twelve undergraduates representing your college at Commencement. Our INFO profs bringing us ding dongs while we waited in line. Walking around the stadium track by college like that country you’ve never heard of in the Parade of Nations. Having the rain soak through your clothes. Fitting two people in one poncho. The wait for Mike Eisenberg to present us to the President, “I’d like to present to you the Information School’s ground-breaking Informatics students!” Standing on our chairs and screaming with the hope that our dean would see us from the podium. Gladly retreating home early without walking across the stage. Warming up and drying up in front of fireplace while wrapped in snowman blanket. The chill night with the INFO crew at Trevor’s and eating his mom’s deviled eggs. The ferry ride with friends to my parents house. Spending the afternoon in Port Orchard for a classic Y. family party. Uncle Chris’ banana cream pudding, trail walking, and lots of aunties and uncles. Trevor on piano singing with my Mom. Karaoke in my parents’ living room and David singing “I Just Called to Say I Love You” to Teresa. Surprise visit from my homie Dan and playing Virtua Fighter 2 on Sega Saturn before driving back to the Seattle. That was my graduation weekend.
Photo Albums:
UW Graduation Photoset
Graduation Party in Port Orchard Photoset
Ryan’s Graduation Weekend Photoset
I wrote more after my epic “I’M DONE!!!” entry, but never got around to hitting “Publish”. I was tempted to leave it out completely, but then thought my blog wouldn’t be complete without some sort of an I’m-done-with-college-reflection, so here it goes. I tried to keep it short. Here’s the rest of the original post.
Jamie Y writes to share what's good, stay in touch with friends, and to archive some of her experiences.
On weekdays, she works for Razorfish, an interactive media agency, as a website optimization strategist.
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