Lab Director
Colin M. Gray, Ph.D.
Colin M. Gray is an Assistant Professor at Purdue University in the Department of Computer Graphics Technology and a Fellow in the Educational Research and Development Incubator. He holds a PhD in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University Bloomington, a MEd in Educational Technology from University of South Carolina, and a MA in Graphic Design from Savannah College of Art & Design. He has worked as an art director, contract designer, and trainer, and his involvement in design work informs his research on design activity and how design capability is learned. His work crosses multiple disciplines, including engineering education, instructional design and technology, design theory and education, and human-computer interaction.
Research interests: Design cognition, human-computer interaction, user experience (UX) design, design education, design methods, design ethics, critical pedagogy, identity formation, studio pedagogy, critique.
Graduate Students
Shruthi Chivukula (PhD)
Shruthi is a first-year PhD student in Technology. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Design from Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati. Before coming to Purdue, she worked as UX researcher and designer in Samsung R&D Institute Bangalore-India for two years. She is working as a research assistant on an NSF-funded project regarding Dark Patterns in UX Design. Her previous work can be seen in her portfolio.
Research Interests: Design methodologies, Design thinking, UX Design, Human-Computer Interaction
Christopher Rhys Watkins (MS)
Chris is a first-year Master’s student in the Computer Graphics Technology program, with a focus on human-centered design and development (HCDD). He holds a BSc in Web Design and Development from Northumbria University in the United Kingdom, and worked for 2 years in UX consultancy, design and development prior to his studies at Purdue. You can view examples of Chris’ work at crwatkins.com, or get in touch with him at cr_watkins@me.com.
Research interests: UX design, human-computer interaction, cognition in design, design for education.
Undergraduate Students
Simran Bansal
Simran Bansal is a junior at Purdue University pursuing a degree in User Experience Design with a double minor in Communication and Psychology. She is currently working as an Undergraduate Research Assistant on the NSF-funded Dark Patterns project. Her work can be found at simranbansal.me and she can be reached by email at bansal31@purdue.edu.
Research interests:
UX Design, interaction design, human-computer interaction, accessibility
Jingle Chen
Jingle Chen was born and raised in Beijing, China for 18 years, and now attends Purdue University. He is currently a sophomore pursuing a degree in User Experience Design with minors in Psychology, Communication, and Mathematics. Currently, he is working as an Undergraduate Research Assistance on the NSF-funded Dark Patterns Project. You can contact Jingle at chen2287@purdue.edu.
Research Interests:
UX Design, design ethics, design methodology & philosophy, human-computer interaction, tangible and embodied interaction
Hayley C. Farmer
Hayley C. Farmer is a Junior at Purdue University pursuing a degree in User Experience Design with minors in Communication and Psychology, and a certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. She is currently working as an Undergraduate Research Assistant on a studio pedagogy project funded through the Purdue Polytechnic Undergraduate Research Internship. Her work can be found at hayleycfarmer.com and she can be reached by email at farmerh@purdue.edu.
Research Interests:
UX design, design education, ethics in design, instructional design, studio pedagogy, critique
Rhea Manocha
Rhea Manocha is a sophomore at Purdue University pursuing a degree in User Experience Design with a minors in Psychology, Management, and Computer Science. She is currently working as an Undergraduate Research Assistant on the NSF-funded Dark Patterns project. Her work can be found at rheamanocha.me and she can be reached by email at rmanocha@purdue.edu.
Research Interests:
UX Design, ethics in design, instructional design, collaboration
Lucca McKay
Lucca McKay is passionate about beautiful and simplistic user experiences. A computer enthusiast, he is a junior in UX Design at Purdue University. He is is currently working as an Undergraduate Research Assistant on the NSF-funded Dark Patterns project. You may reach him at mckay11@purdue.edu.
Research Interests:
TBA
Kassandra Melkey
Kassandra Melkey is studying User Experience Design at Purdue University, and plans to graduate in May 2020. She specializes in user research and information architecture, and is minoring in communications. She is currently working as an Undergraduate Research Assistant on the NSF-funded Dark Patterns project. Her work can be found at kassandramelkey.com and she can be reached by email at kmelkey@purdue.edu.
Research Interests:
UX Design, ethics in design, instructional design, collaboration
Zexi (Jessie) Zhou
Zexi Zhou is a senior at Purdue University majoring User Experience Design, with minor in Psychology. She was born and raised in China, is currently based in the USA. She really enjoys User Experience design as it allows her to take creative design approach and bring deeper values for both business and public service by empowering people and meeting their needs through compelling design methods: she uses a human-centered approach to understand and identify the user needs and desires, and to bridge the gap through design, storytelling and creative problem solving methods. You can reach her at jessiezhouzexi@gmail.com.
Research Interests:
UX Design, ethics in design, social work, digital civics
Lab Alumni
Yubo Kou, PhD (Postdoc; 2016-2018) – Assistant Professor, Florida State University
Jason Brier (BS; 2016-2018) – Designer, Deloitte Digital
Madison Fansher (BS; 2017-2018) – Doctoral Student, University of Michigan
Abilene Perez (BS; 2016-2017) – Designer, HP Enterprise