Hi! I'm Jon Maloto,and I'm passionate about User Experience Design.

In August 2008 I completed my Masters degree in Human-Computer Interaction at Carnegie Mellon University. The previous year, I graduated from Northwestern University with a dual bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering in March 2007. Completing graduate studies were a part of my long-term goals of obtaining a career in the field of usability and user interface engineering.

Outside of my academic interests, I enjoy watching movies (and critically deconstructing them), reading about the latest gadgets, producing all sorts of digital work, playing my guitar, and the occasional jog. I also have a curiosity for skyscrapers, subway systems, and maps as a result of growing up in large cities.

Background

Born in The Philippines, I grew up in Hong Kong after relocating there with my family in 1992. Living in the British colony for 10 years has given me a mixture of British, Chinese, and Filipino influences.

I graduated from South Island School in 2002 after completing A-Levels in Physics, Mathematics and Media Studies as well as AS-Levels in Chemistry and Further Math. While these subjects helped prepare me for undergraduate studies in engineering, my interest in HCI was born when learning about audience theory and cognitive theory in Media Studies and the importance of creating media that matches the expectations of its audience.

During my undergraduate studies I developed my understanding of communication networks, digital signal processing, hardware design, and software engineering. The Engineering First program at Northwestern emphasized early on the importance of teamwork and design skills for the professional engineer – skills that I was able to apply in my co-op placements at Mythryn and Peel.

The theoretical knowledge I obtained in the classroom was complemented by my involvement in extra-curricular activities. In particular, my interest in HCI blossomed while serving as webmaster for a number of student groups. During my time as a Residential Networking Consultant in the campus residence halls, I encountered several situations in which users expressed their frustration with software and general computer use, highlighting the importance of creating user-centered products.