Education
Research Interests
I am interested in human-centered approaches to design. My framework for this field is informed by over ten years of working as an information architect and interaction designer prior to working towards the PhD. Specifically, my research has been concentrated in two areas:
Publications
Articles Appearing in Refereed Archival Journals
Fully Refereed Conference Proceedings
Presentations
Invited talks and lectures
Conference Presentations
Posters
Academic Experience
Industry Experience: Research
Industry Experience: Design (see the design area for more)
Sr. Art Director: True North Consultants Inc. (Hasbro Corporation): 2004-2007
Designer/3D Animator: Microsoft Corporation : eHome Group (contract): 2004
Product Designer: Microsoft Corporation : Works Group (contract): 2002-2003
Senior Product Designer: Pacific Edge Software: 2001 - 2002
Designer/Creative Director: Cendant Corporation: 1997-2000
Co-owner/Creative Director/Manager: enVision Design, Inc.: 1994 - 1997
Senior Design Manager: Color & Design Exhibits (now Exhibit Group): 1987-1994
Awards
Outstanding Female Graduate Student Award: University of Washington Society of Woman Engineers Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering, 2010.
Outstanding Female Graduate Student Award: University of Washington Society of Woman Engineers Department of Technical Communication, 2007.
Excellence Award: Puget Sound chapter of the Society for Technical Communications. Microsoft Works Tutorial, 2004
Service and Community
Professional memberships
Software
SPSS, ATLAS ti., Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Flash, Director & Dreamweaver, Newtek Lightwave 3D, Discreet 3D Studio Max, Alias Wavefront Maya.
PhD Human Centered Design & Engineering: University of Washington: 2010
M.S. Technical Communication: University of Washington: 2006
B.S. Industrial Design: Western Washington University: 1984
Thesis title: Bridging the gap between user experience research and design in industry. An analysis of two common communication tools: personas and scenarios
Advisors: Dr. Beth Kolko and Dr. Jennifer Turns (co-chairs)
Advisors: Dr. Beth Kolko and Dr. Jennifer Turns (co-chairs)
M.S. Technical Communication: University of Washington: 2006
B.S. Industrial Design: Western Washington University: 1984
I am interested in human-centered approaches to design. My framework for this field is informed by over ten years of working as an information architect and interaction designer prior to working towards the PhD. Specifically, my research has been concentrated in two areas:
(1) Adaption and use of human-centered design (HCD) methods in design for diverse communities.
I have directly investigated: (a) children with autism and their families/support structures; (b) technology use and diffusion in Central Asia;(c) attitudes and behaviors regarding water usage in the Andhra Pradesh region of India.
(2) Bridging the design/research dialogue gap which entails improving how designers access, utilize and integrate user research in their work; this is the central theme of my dissertation.
I have directly investigated: (a) children with autism and their families/support structures; (b) technology use and diffusion in Central Asia;(c) attitudes and behaviors regarding water usage in the Andhra Pradesh region of India.
(2) Bridging the design/research dialogue gap which entails improving how designers access, utilize and integrate user research in their work; this is the central theme of my dissertation.
Articles Appearing in Refereed Archival Journals
Putnam, C., Johnson, E. Rose, E.& Kolko, B. (2010). Design for Inclusion: Lessons learned in Central Asia. Special Issue of Personal and Ubiquitous Computing. (This paper was accepted. We are currently re-writing per reviewer comments).
Putnam, C., Johnson, E, Rose, E.& Kolko, B. (2009).Adapting User-Centered Design Methods to Design for Diverse Populations.Special HCI4D Issue of Information Technologies and International Development(ITID),5 (4), 51-73.
Walton, R., Putnam, C., Johnson, E.& Kolko, B. (2009).Skills Are Not Binary: Nuances in the Relationship Between ICT Skills and Employability.Special ICT Skills and Employability Issue of Information Technologies and International Development (ITID), 5,(2), 1-18.
Fully Refereed Conference Proceedings
Putnam, C. and Kolko B. (2010).The Social Meaning of ICTs: Patterns of Technology Adoption and Usage in Context. In Proceedings of International Conference on Information and Commiunication Technologies and Development, ICTD 2010, London, UK, December 13-16.(Paper was accepted for an oral presentation).
Anderson, R.E., Brunette, W., Johnson, E., Lustig, C., Poon, A., Putnam, C., Salihbaeva, O., Kolko, B.E., & Borrielllo,G. (2010). Experiences with a Transportation Information System that Uses Only GPS and SMS. In Proceedings of International Conference on Information and Commiunication Technologies and Development, ICTD 2010, London, UK, December 13-16.(Paper was accepted for a poster presentation).
Putnam, C and Kolko B. (2009).Getting Online but still living offline: the complex relationship of technology adoption and in-person social networks. In Proceedings of Advances in Social Networks and Mining, ASONAM ’09, Athens, Greece, July 20-22.
Putnam, C., Rose, E.,Walton, R. & Kolko, B. (2009).Mobile phone users in Kyrgyzstan: A case study of identifying user requirements for diverse users In Proceedings of IPCC 2009 ,Honolulu, Hawaii, July 20-23, 2009.
Kolko, B. & Putnam, C.(2009).Computer Games in the Developing World: The Value of Non-Instrumental Engagement with ICTs, or Taking Play Seriously.In Proceedings of International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies and Development ICTD ‘09, Doha.Qatar, April 17-19, 2009
Putnam, C. and Chong, L. (2008).Software and technologies designed for people with autism.In Proceedings of the 10th Annual ACM Conference on Conference on Computers and Accessibility, ASSETS '08, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, October 13 - 15, 2008, ACM Press, New York, NY.
Invited talks and lectures
“Bridging the gap between user experience research and design: An analysis of personas.” Puget Sound SIGCGI, Seattle, Washington, March 2010.
“Using the data you have for persona creation.” Presentation and workshop designed for a graduate class in Computer-Assisted Communication, University of Washington, January 2010.
“Design for Inclusion: Using Familiar Methods for Unfamiliar Contexts.” Presented with Emma Rose and Beth Kolko as part of the seminar series: “Current Issues in Human Centered Design & Engineering”, University of Washington, January 2010.
Conference Presentations
"The Social Meaning of ICTs: Patterns of Technology Adoption and Usage in Context", ICTD 2010, London, UK, expected December 13-16, 2010.
“Getting Online but still living offline: the complex relationship of technology adoption and in-person social networks.” Advances in Social Networks and Mining, ASONAM '09, Athens, Greece, July 20-22, 2009.
“Software and technologies designed for people with autism.” Conference on Computers and Accessibility, ASSETS '08, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, October 13 - 15, 2008.
Posters
Birge, C., Putnam C., Kolko, B. 2010. Online Privacy Perception in Central Asia. In Proceedings of the 6th Symposium on Usable Privacy and Security, Redmond, WA, USA, July 14-16.
Kolko, B. and Putnam, C. “Computer games in the Developing World”. Change conference, University of Washington (October, 2009).
Putnam, C. and Kolko, B, “Modifying methods for persona creation”. Change conference, University of Washington, (October, 2009).
Rose, E. J., Putnam, C. & Birand, G. “Designing for Digital Inclusion: Investigating social networks within resource constrained environments.” Society for Technical Communication: University of Washington Research and Design Showcase (May 2007)
Assistant Professor: Fall 2010 to present
College of Computing and Digital Media
Depaul University, Chicago, Illinois
College of Computing and Digital Media
Depaul University, Chicago, Illinois
Teaching
Research
DePaul University
Design for inclusion (HCI 511) Autumn 2010.
HCI 511 is a graduate level course concerned with technologies that (a) are designed to include a diverse range of end users and (b) are specifically designed for people with alternate skills. As human-centered designers and researchers, we need to consider diverse technology users; i.e. as technology expands beyond applications rooted in the western work office, the user base for technologies will include a greater number of diverse users. Specifically, in this class we will (a) examine how technology currently addresses the needs of users with physical or cognitive limitations, children, and the elderly, and (b) consider new technologies or modifications to existing technologies that might better address these users' needs.
HCI 511 is a graduate level course concerned with technologies that (a) are designed to include a diverse range of end users and (b) are specifically designed for people with alternate skills. As human-centered designers and researchers, we need to consider diverse technology users; i.e. as technology expands beyond applications rooted in the western work office, the user base for technologies will include a greater number of diverse users. Specifically, in this class we will (a) examine how technology currently addresses the needs of users with physical or cognitive limitations, children, and the elderly, and (b) consider new technologies or modifications to existing technologies that might better address these users' needs.
University of Washington
Introduction to Communication Design (HCDE 311): Instructor of record: 2006-2007
HCDE 311 is a junior level class which guides students through many commonly used software packages in the field of technical communication. The students were expected to create artifacts in each software package from a user-centered perspective culminating in a web-based professional portfolio they wireframed, designed, and coded.
HCDE 311 is a junior level class which guides students through many commonly used software packages in the field of technical communication. The students were expected to create artifacts in each software package from a user-centered perspective culminating in a web-based professional portfolio they wireframed, designed, and coded.
Technical Writing and Oral Presentation (HCDE 333): Instructor of record: 2007
HCDE is a junior and senior level engineering class in which students learn about the design and production of professional documents and presentations they might be expected to create in the workplace.
HCDE is a junior and senior level engineering class in which students learn about the design and production of professional documents and presentations they might be expected to create in the workplace.
User-centered web design (HCDE 525): Teaching assistant: 2008
HCDE 525 is a graduate level course that teaches students how to create user-centered standards-compliant web sites using CSS and XHTML.
HCDE 525 is a graduate level course that teaches students how to create user-centered standards-compliant web sites using CSS and XHTML.
Research
University of Washington
Central Asia + Information & Communication Technologies: 2007-2010
I project managed and participated in this research group which focused on investigation Internet, mobile phones, and related technology developments in the region:
I project managed and participated in this research group which focused on investigation Internet, mobile phones, and related technology developments in the region:
- Collaborated in coding ethnography data from study participants
- Conducted extensive quantitative statistical analysis of a data-set created by a yearly survey of 1000 participants in four Central Asian Countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan)
- Created prototypes for products/services ideated from research
- Performed usability testing for research-based products
- Created personas, high level scenarios and user requirements for mobile-based service
College of Engineering: 2007
- Led several focus groups and created multiple online surveys for the college's diverse user groups to determine their website needs.
- Information architecture of the college's website
- Created a web-based prototype for usability, designed and managed and performed usability testing.
User Experience Researcher: Microsoft/Xbox games group (contract): 2010
Research support for the Xbox/games product group:
Research support for the Xbox/games product group:
- Experimental design and data analysis to attain requirements and answer product team research questions
- User requirements in the form of wireframes and written reports
- Designed, conducted usability studies and analyzed the resulting data
Research consultant: PATH - Safe Water Project / Gates Foundation grant: 2008-2009
Statistical analysis of survey data. Respondents from the Andhra Pradesh region of India were questioned about behaviors and attitudes regarding safe/clean water including collection and storage.
Statistical analysis of survey data. Respondents from the Andhra Pradesh region of India were questioned about behaviors and attitudes regarding safe/clean water including collection and storage.
- Analysis resulted in several synopses in the form of visualizations and personas
- Consulted on methods for an additional user research to assess usability issues of current water systems
Data Analyst: Valid Concept:November 2008
Statistical analysis of usability survey data collected by Nokia.
Statistical analysis of usability survey data collected by Nokia.
Sr. Art Director: True North Consultants Inc. (Hasbro Corporation): 2004-2007
Flash games and web sites supporting Hasbro’s toy brands including My Little Pony, Furby and G.I. Joe. Responsibilities included both the visual and interaction design of Flash games, web sites, illustrations and animations in 2D and 3D. Managed outside vendors and internal designers through multiple projects.
Designer/3D Animator: Microsoft Corporation : eHome Group (contract): 2004
Collaborated on the 3D user interfaces for the multiple devices available in Microsoft's “Home of the Future”. Responsibilities included working with internal developers and outside vendors, managing and creating assets in 3D Studio Max for use in the live presentation engine, and creating videos in After Effects for the linear portions of the demonstration.
Product Designer: Microsoft Corporation : Works Group (contract): 2002-2003
User interface/ product design of the task launcher for Works Suite 2004.
Created all final art and icons. Working closely with the usability engineer, I created several DHTML and Flash prototypes for usability studies. Developed a design documentation specification site.
Flash Product Tours: Interaction design and all art for the Flash product tour which included managing all localization through use of XML driven text content.
Flash Product Tours: Interaction design and all art for the Flash product tour which included managing all localization through use of XML driven text content.
Senior Product Designer: Pacific Edge Software: 2001 - 2002
User interface and interaction design for the company's web-based project and portfolio management software products. Created HTML and Flash prototypes for internal usability testing and sales. Responsible for all design, art, icon illustration, and style guide documentation.
Designer/Creative Director: Cendant Corporation: 1997-2000
Co-owner/Creative Director/Manager: enVision Design, Inc.: 1994 - 1997
Senior Design Manager: Color & Design Exhibits (now Exhibit Group): 1987-1994
Outstanding Female Graduate Student Award: University of Washington Society of Woman Engineers Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering, 2010.
Outstanding Female Graduate Student Award: University of Washington Society of Woman Engineers Department of Technical Communication, 2007.
Excellence Award: Puget Sound chapter of the Society for Technical Communications. Microsoft Works Tutorial, 2004
Professional memberships
- Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
- Puget Sound SIGCHI
- BRIDGE program co-organizer (2009).
- Provided housing for visiting potential PhD students (2009).
- Demonstrated the department’s usability lab and eye tracking system for high school students considering the College of Engineering (2005 and 2006).
- Created the logo, identity, and multiple web-based and print materials for the department to support the department’s name change from Technical Communication to Human Centered Design & Engineering (2009).
- Created all posters and printed materials for the SIGCHI conference identity of DUB (2008 & 2009). Dub (Design, Use, and Build) is an interdepartmental HCI association at the University of Washington.
- University of Washington’s Experimental Education Unit (EEU) where I worked with children with autism (2006-2007).
- Bellevue Youth Theatre, where I designed and created sets/props with theatre participants. The theatre has an inclusive philosophy and is committed to working with both typically developing children and children and adults with disabilities (1997-2002).
SPSS, ATLAS ti., Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Flash, Director & Dreamweaver, Newtek Lightwave 3D, Discreet 3D Studio Max, Alias Wavefront Maya.