Name: Salu Pekka Ylirisku

Current occupation:

Design Researcher

Design Researcher, User Centred Design methods, School of Design

University of Art and Design Helsinki (UIAH)

Education:

Doctoral student at the School of Design at the University of Art and Design Helsinki (2006 – present)

M.Sc. in Computer Science, University of Helsinki (2002)

Minor subjects: Usability school, Mathematics

Why did he choose this field, this field of usability?

Salu was initially doing a Computer Science major at the University of Helsinki (HY), with minor studies in mathematics and cognitive science. It was his connection to the Cognitive Science department that he had the opportunity to join the Usability School when a place was unexpectedly available. He was also taking usability courses prior to joining the Usability School. In fact, it was lectures by Sari Laakso from the department of Computer Science that helped establish his interest in the area of usability. He found her course very inspiring and it introduced him to the subject of relationship between humans and machines. This was a refreshing perspective from the programming, and mathematic work he was doing for his studies, but it was also in some ways interlinked.

Actually since young, he always had an interest in drawing, and was involved in several drawing competitions and music-based activities as well. So his education route in the end came full circle, even though it may seem he went through an indirect route through HY then coming to the Usability School and then to TaiK. However, all he has learnt has helped him in one way or another, whether positive or negative, whilst pursuing this area of usability and now concept design.

What (subject/courses) were the most useful or not useful while studying usability?

Most added value in some way. Not every module taken might be based on interest, but they definitely helped shape his perspective as a designer. There were of course some modules that seemed useless if they were badly planned or organized. The User Inspired Design (UID) course was definitely one of interest and inspiration though.

His theoretical background also allowed him to appreciate the ergonomics module and he enjoyed and excelled in it greatly.

Was there any participation in student organizations, and if so, were they useful for his career?

Salu was involved with the Computer Science department’s student organization for 2 years. However his motives for doing so was more for leisure and interest and to be engaged in other activities other than school and his apartment. He served in the areas of sports organising and website management.

What skills link to usability?

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He found that outlining the area of usability was important for himself. The usability attitude is a very particular kind of approach to products, services and systems. Being clear about this field allows one to distinguish it from other areas of design like experience products, product concept design, how it is different or similar to ergonomics or how it is related to engineering.

The understanding therefore outlines the type of skills you will need to handle usability. It is inexhaustive, and one will be continuously learning from the user and the goals they are trying to achieve with a product. It includes studies in the field and articulation of the user’s needs and of the concepts, optimizing products for the users.

What was the transformation process from studying to working?

Salu’s work experience has been a rather smooth progression ever since he joined the Usability School. It was Tuuli Mattelmäki (tutor of UID) that called him (2002) to ask if he was interested to help out with a project focusing on user experience and product concept design process. From there he went on to become a researcher in TaiK and now a doctoral student. Prior to this, he had some job experience in a big industrial company that handled production planning software and supported large databases. He was involved in the design of some user interfaces as well as user studies. When Tuuli called him, he was also actually in the process of applying for a job that involved designing user interfaces. Things have fallen into place rather smoothly in terms of study to work transition, being in the design department also allows him to pursue a new interest in concept design.

What kind of projects is he handling now?

He is now assisting in the UID programme as well as doing a doctoral thesis that revolves around the topic of how one facilitates design. As a researcher, most are user centered design or concept design projects. There are 2 projects running now, one is on a mobile map, the other is on public spaces. Collaboration with different people is important for this job.

What people does he come in contact with? How do they influence his work?

The users are usually the most common. They can be the most interesting as well, allowing one to become familiar with unfamiliar topics. The collaborations in projects allow one to meet with different personnel in a company; different types of specialists and managers. The colleagues are also important sources of contact and interaction. He finds the environment suitable for learning from each other and even from researchers around the world by the conferences they participate in and networks they share.

What has been the best experience in the field?

The best experience was probably the moment when he decided to come to TaiK. It has allowed him to learn a great deal and also exercise the power to be able to ‘make the world a better place’.

What was the most interesting project/least interesting?

The Luotain project was the most interesting. It involved studying freeride skiers and how the usage of video can aid in usability studies. It resulted in a video book that was the most exhausting experience but the most rewarding as well.

He felt all the projects have their sides, even if some appear ugly and uninteresting. But he has been able to turn these projects into something valuable for himself and even for the project itself. Just by twisting the topic a bit, the project can become more meaningful and be acceptable and interesting to other people as well when they see the high goals you have set for yourself and the project.

Are there any current trends in usability?

Innovation has been rising. As well as service design. He notices there will be a more diverse picture with more people coming into the area of usability. There is now a broader field called interaction design that is ambiguous and contains everything. Learning to focus would therefore be important.

Are there any tips on getting a job in the field?

“Do good work and show it in the interview.”