Rianna Baeza
UX Graduate Student
I strive to tackle the complex relationship between humans and technology during the design and engineering process with an emphasis on universal human needs.
When asked what my career path is I say, "You know how in Marketing people discover what people want? Well, as an aspiring UX researcher I will discover what people need, not only to reduce error, but to ensure an enjoyable interactive experience."
EXPERIENCE
2018
UX Research Intern
UX Research Intern, Alexa Shopping at Amazon
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Met with stakeholders to draft outstanding research questions to be answered about the Whole Foods on Alexa cart building experience
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Designed and conducted a usability test with an emphasis on future concepts, with prototypes of varying fidelity, on the Whole Foods on Alexa experience
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Reported over 15 findings about current and future CX and directly influenced the design and strategy of the next iterations.
2017-2018
Associate
Amazon Books Retail
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Helped facilitate the Amazon customers' discovery of smart home devices, Alexa powered devices, Kindle, other various technology and books!
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Played an imperative role in the launch of the first Amazon retail store in the Silicon Valley.
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Gained insight about customer usability issues with Amazon and third party smart home devices, including Samsung Smart Things and voiced various concerns about UI and other designs where customers consistently made errors during interaction.
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Several of my suggestions for UI changes, based on my customer interactions, have been implemented. My favorite change is on the Kindle iOS app after conducting a Heuristic Evaluation I suggested the app open to entire library of books instead of downloaded to enhance usability for older and less experienced individuals.
PG&E Pacific Gas & Electric Company
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Redesigned and reworded the company benefits website to ensure employees understanding of the plan online by referring to principles of cognitive web ergonomics. This resulted in 50+ webpage edits.
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Collected and analyzed data from Kaiser, Anthem, WageWorks and other vendors to create the first PG&E Health Plan Metrics Dashboard for the Benefits team to visualize the utilization of the health plan, which is now being used on a monthly basis.
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Met one-on-one with employees and heard their specific needs
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Created flow charts that documented the step-by-step process of going to the doctor, getting prescriptions and completing their annual health screening.
2016
UX Communications Internship
Answering the question,
"Why did Amazon open a
retail store?"
2015-2016
Club President
President of Psi Chi Honors Society
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Planned with professors and peers to develop a club that was supportive, encouraging and inspirational to those who achieve high academic records in their psychology courses.
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Worked with the department chair and Cal Poly career services weekly to organize an inaugural professional development week – exclusively for psychology majors, which is to be continued as a yearly tradition.
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Received the annual Psychology department award for Leadership - exceptional representation of the department to the campus and community.
2015-2016
Undergraduate Research Intern
Psychophysiological Lab
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Built a working one-on-one relationship with lab participants by collecting psychophysiological data (i.e., heart rate, blood pressure, galvanic skin response) and recording results promptly.
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Managed all lab equipment and set up while handling and troubleshooting testing equipment when necessary.
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Exhibited a professional and approachable demeanor in order to enhance the participant’s experience.
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Utilized excel software to enter and analyze and visualize statistical correlations the study yielded
EDUCATION
2017-2019
Masters in Human Factors/Ergonomics
San Jose State University
College of Engineering
Concentration in HCI
2014-2017
Bachelors of Science in Psychology
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Concentration in Human Factors & Technology
Projects & Literature Reviews
PG&E Internship
This work resulted in 50+ webpage edits to the PG&E benefits site. Collected and analyzed data from Kaiser, Anthem, WageWorks and other vendors to create the first PG&E Health Plan Metrics Dashboard for the Benefits team to visualize the utilization of the health plan. After meeting employees and hearing their specific needs, I created flow charts that documented the step-by-step process of going to the doctor, getting prescriptions and completing their annual health screening. Contributed to vendor decision making for a health advocacy program and new executive health program. Drafted communications regarding health screenings, as well as to announce construction for the development of an onsite clinic.
Kindle iOS App Heuristic Evaluation
Conducted an in depth heuristic evaluation on the Kindle iOS application. This review included background, research on usability evaluations, principle based violations and interface violations. Charts of UI changes and suggestions categorized by priority were given. Some of my suggestions were implemented soon after I presented this to a VP of Amazon Books, where I work as an associate.
User Trust Issues in Voice Activated Personal Assistant Technology
While working in Amazon retail, I quickly realized there was a large amount of human trust issues when approaching voice activated personal assistants like Alexa in the Echo devices. I wanted to explore these issues further in a literature review on the physical, cognitive and macroergonomic factors that are present with the emerging voice interface. The uncanny valley, theory of reasoned action and source credibility theory are discussed as potential ways to improve user trust in these devices as future designs and improvements of these products emerge.
The Positive Implications of Virtual Reality on Human Cognition
Cal Poly Senior Project - Reviewed recent research related to virtual reality (VR) and cognition. Discussed a summary of overall positive implications on cognition based off of the advanced study of humans in virtual environments. Specific sections explored improvements in social cognition, attention and perception. Implications for cognitively impaired individuals are discussed in each section. Addressed how new VR technology is and how it can be used in the future as a tool to better understand the human mind once design and engineering ergonomics issues are addressed.
SKILLS
Usability Testing
Customer Service
Literature Reviews
1:1 Research
Industry Report Writing
Heuristic Evaluations
INTELLECTION
I like to think. I like mental activity. I like exercising the “muscles” of your brain, stretching them in multiple directions. This need for mental activity may be focused; for example, you may be trying to solve a problem or develop an idea or understand another person’s feelings.
HARMONY
I look for areas of agreement. In your view there is little to be gained from conflict and friction, so you seek to hold them to a minimum. When you know that the people around you hold differing views, you try to find the common ground. I try to steer them away from confrontation and toward harmony.
DEVELOPER
I see the potential in others and designs. Very often, in fact, potential is all I see. In my view nothing is fully formed. On the contrary, each project is a work in progress, alive with possibilities. And I
am drawn toward people for this very reason. When I interact with others, my goal is to help them experience success. I look for ways to challenge them. I devise interesting experiences that can stretch them and help them grow.