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Hi! 👋🏾 My name is Olapeju Otusajo, I am a Nigerian American UX Designer. I have a background in fashion design, 👗 where I discovered my passion for user experience design by recognizing the parallels between crafting 🏗️ seamless physical experiences and designing intuitive 💡digital interactions. I will soon earn my Bachelors of Science in Information Systems from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and my Masters in Human Computer Interaction soon after.
ABOUT OLAPEJU OTUSAJO
I helped to lead a conference! Learn More!
I serve as the president of my university's Residential Student Association
I have attended 10 conferences so far
Affective Computing Research
I gained a position as a student researcher under Dr. Andre Kleinsmith, Professor of Human-Computer Interaction at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. The research centered on Affective Computing, where I observed simulation videos to document changes in behavior and interaction dynamics among participants, utilizing detailed observational techniques to capture nuanced shifts in verbal and non-verbal communication, as well as teamwork dynamics. I then analyzed the recorded data to identify patterns, trends, and variations in behavior and interactions throughout the simulation sessions.
While working with Dr. Kleinsmith, I received consistent mentorship and was encouraged to apply for my university's accelerated masters program in Human-Centered Computing. I was highly interested in this opportunity, as it provided a chance to build my portfolio and get a head start on my master’s degree. I later applied and was admitted into the program, where my journey continues today...
Mentorship & Masters
While attending the National Society of Black Engineers Conference in March 2023, I visited the Google booth and had the opportunity to speak with recruiters from Google and learn about a program called the 'Google CSRMP' (Computer Science Research Mentorship Program). CSRMP is designed to provide mentorship and support to undergraduate and graduate students in technology and computer science. It offers participants mentorship from Google researchers to help them explore research opportunities, develop their skills, and prepare for future careers in computer science research. I applied for the program during the summer of 2023 and was later accepted.
As a participant in the program, I was matched with a talented Quantitative UX Researcher at Google who became my mentor. I expressed my interest in User Experience and received valuable advice on pursuing a career in the field. I was encouraged to pursue higher education and was surrounded by a great support system within the program.
Let's learn the basics
I quickly fell in love with UX Design and immediately felt the desire to transition it from a hobby into a career, focusing on how to design for the industry. I found joy in using my creativity to make an impact on people's lives by creating spaces that enhance their well-being. To strengthen my skills, I began taking courses in UX Design through the Google Coursera Certificate Program, where I developed competencies in wireframing, prototyping, and ideation.
I learned the critical importance of involving users closely in the design process and that simply assuming their needs isn’t enough. By creating user stories, personas, and storyboards, I gained a deeper understanding of users' needs and pain points. I later confirmed these insights by conducting user interviews and testing sessions to ensure the designs were both functional and meaningful.
As I work toward earning my certificate in User Experience, I also began building my portfolio to continuously refine my design skills and integrate the design thinking principles I’ve developed. I completed my first case study and still revisit those designs, challenging myself to improve them as I learn. Technology is constantly evolving, and design needs to stay two steps ahead to meet future needs.