I’m graduating this summer.

If you’re looking for someone with a passion for user experience, I could be your man.

My Computer Science degree is a technical one, but ten years of web design have shaped my interests towards how people interact with computers.

The spectrum of people studying Computer Science

Figure 1: The spectrum of people studying Computer Science

I’m not particularly interested in how a CPU works, the mathematics behind modern computers or whether it’s better to use Git or SVN. If someone can’t understand your user interface, then your product might as well not exist in the first place.

I’m a generalist

Through curiosity and necessity, I’ve learnt about and used a wide variety of skills and technologies.

  • Research and theory
    Usability testing Interviews Psychology Cognitive science
  • Design
    Sketching Wireframing Interface design Usability Typography Accessibility Colour theory Graphic design
  • Client-side technologies
    (X)HTML CSS JavaScript XML
  • Server-side technologies
    PHP MySQL Java Unix Oracle

This has given me a broad education and an overview of the whole design and implementation process. I know how websites are made and what it’s like to run them.

But I want UX to be my speciality

All of the objects and applications around us were designed by someone. Making those things easier to use, whether they’re a pair of secateurs or an online banking system, can make a difference. Design, and the experience people have when they interact with it, has the power to change people’s lives. I want to be a part of that process.

Because my degree course isn’t primarily concerned with HCI, I’ve spent the last couple of years learning about the field of user experience as much as possible. My bookshelf is now full of titles like The Design of Everyday Things, Sketching User Experiences and Measuring the User Experience. I’ve also tailored my degree towards it, taking two Masters modules and choosing a final year project that includes usability testing.

Why am I different from any other Joe Bloggs graduate?

I’ve made the most of the opportunities that I’ve been presented with. I strive to achieve a 2:1 like everyone else, but I have knowledge and experience that extends beyond my degree.

I’m the owner and Editor of the volunteer-run videogames website Thunderbolt, which has been more successful than I could ever have imagined. During the ten years I’ve been running it, it’s taught me much of what I know about user interface design and has improved my writing skills beyond all recognition.

I’ve been heavily involved with our university’s magazine, Impact, where I have been elected to several positions over the last three years. I also spent the last academic year at BT, where I did a twelve-month internship. It allowed me to put what I’ve learnt at university into practice and get a feel for what it’s like to work in the ‘real world’.

We should talk

Interested? Please get in touch. The easiest way to contact me is by email, at philip.morton@gmail.com. If you’d like to see my full work history, take a look at my LinkedIn profile. If you need a proper CV or references, just ask.