UniCode

The Universal Code Base

At MIT Sloan, I spearheaded the development of a unified codebase that revolutionized classroom technology management. This "Universal Code Base" (UniCode) project, initiated in 2018, exemplifies key principles of Transition Design:

1. Centralized Efficiency with Localized Flexibility: UniCode controls all audiovisual elements across classrooms using a single, standardized codebase. However, each room retains its unique configuration locally, allowing for customization without compromising system-wide coherence.

2. Scalable and Adaptable Solutions: This approach enables seamless deployment of global improvements without disrupting individual room setups, demonstrating how large-scale systems can evolve while respecting diverse local needs.

3. Complexity Reduction: By standardizing the core code, we've simplified system management and troubleshooting, creating a more resilient and easily maintainable infrastructure.

4. Innovation in Infrastructure: This project showcases how rethinking fundamental systems can lead to more equitable and efficient solutions, a core doctrine of Transition Design.

My experience with the UniCode has deepened my interest in exploring how similar principles can be applied to reimagine and transform broader societal infrastructures. Through the Transition Design program, I aim to further investigate scalable, adaptable solutions that can address complex systemic challenges while fostering innovation and supporting localized needs.

Design Philosophy and Evolution

My approach to interface design and development embodies key Transition Design principles:

1. Incremental Innovation: While maintaining overall consistency, we've introduced thoughtful enhancements. For example, the new "Swap" button allows users to easily exchange content between projectors or optimize energy use by utilizing only one projector when possible.

2. User-Centric Design: Improvements focus on enhancing user experience without disrupting familiar workflows. This demonstrates a commitment to evolving systems that respect users' existing mental models while introducing more efficient options.

3. Sustainability Integration: Features like the ability to easily switch off unused projectors contribute to energy conservation and extended equipment lifespan, showcasing how sustainability can be seamlessly incorporated into daily operations.

4. Complexity Management: Despite the system's underlying complexity, the interface intends to present a clear, intuitive user experience. The biggest hurdle has always been the community's aversion to change. This exemplifies how complex systems can be made accessible and manageable for end-users as long as the end user's experience stays at the front of one's mind.

20" Touch Panel Rooms

The main classroom interface, designed for large touchscreens at teaching stations (as pictured above), integrates multiple functions:

1. Content Management: Users can control display outputs across multiple screens and projectors.

2. Environmental Controls: Lighting and window shade adjustments are integrated.

3. Conferencing Tools: Camera, content sharing, and audio controls for Zoom meetings.

4. Recording Features: Options to manage lecture recordings.

Since 2011, precious few changes have been made to this interface since AV integrators laid the foundation when a new building went up. This project illustrates my approach to designing transitions in complex technical systems that many people touch. It demonstrates how thoughtful, user-centered design can facilitate the adoption of more sustainable and efficient practices without causing disruptive changes to established workflows.

Click on the buttons below to play with the interactive prototype I built using Adobe XD.

Hint: The Swap button will appear in the top center if you use one of the Quick Starts on the right.

10' Touch Panel Rooms

In my role as AV Systems Manager at MIT Sloan School of Management, I've encountered complex design challenges that exemplify essential concepts of Transition Design. A prime example is our approach to interface design for rooms with a standard classroom table (as pictured above). These spaces, shared across multiple MIT programs, required a control interface (seen below) that could seamlessly integrate with the broader campus ecosystem while still meeting specific local needs. 

This scenario presented a unique opportunity to balance standardization with customization—a common challenge in large-scale system transitions. The interface we developed had to maintain consistency with control panels across MIT's campus, ensuring ease of use for faculty and staff who move between different spaces. Working within these institutional boundaries showcased the importance of collaborative design and systems thinking in creating solutions that can be both widely adopted and locally effective. 

This experience has deepened my appreciation for the nuanced challenges of implementing change within established infrastructures—a fundamental consideration in Transition Design. It demonstrates how designers must navigate complex stakeholder relationships, balance competing needs, and find creative solutions that respect existing systems while paving the way for future improvements. Through my proposed research in the Transition Design program, I will employ strategies for designing flexible, scalable solutions that can drive systemic change while adapting to diverse local contexts and constraints.

Click on the buttons below to play with the interactive prototype I built using Adobe XD.

AV Specialist iPad App

At MIT Sloan, I led the development of a universal iPad interface for classroom AV management. The Audio Visual Preparedness Kit (AVPK) includes an iPad and a laptop with all the software needed to support events. It streamlines complex operations, enabling efficient control of cameras, equipment, and remote learning setups. Initially the sole "Technology Specialist" in 2013, I proactively expanded my role to include Crestron system expertise, enhancing communication with AV integrators. This allowed for iterative improvements, making the system increasingly user-friendly. My role evolved to include training other specialists with SAVE101 (described on my Tech Town page), emphasizing my zeal for knowledge transfer in technological transitions. This experience demonstrates how designers can catalyze systemic change through innovative solutions and skill development. It showcases the application of Transition Design concepts in real-world scenarios, balancing technological advancement with user needs and institutional constraints. In CMU's design school, I will develop my understanding of how such holistic, adaptive approaches can address global challenges, focusing on creating resilient, user-centered solutions through continuous learning and evolution.

Click on the buttons below to play with the interactive prototype I built using Adobe XD.

Note: The white boxes are for camera presets in the room. If you switch between Presenter and Audience under Camera Select, the image will change to the perspective of the selected camera. The buttons in the middle (Admin to Screen Setup) will bring up the panels needed to control the room's features. The most used controls (pan, tilt, zoom, and audio controls) are always visible at the bottom. Tapping the room number would bring you to a list of all the rooms compatible with the app.

UniCode Cloud Configuration Website

Managing all of these elements currently involves a complex network structure that is outside the standards of our Central Information & Systems Technology Networking department. We use various tools to maintain the individual pieces of our classroom systems. Some of these expose us to security risks we must prepare for.  I've designed a centralized webpage that could provide a robust workspace to access everything we need to perform our respective roles effectively. We only need to provide the MAC addresses of each device, and the cloud configuration system will take care of the rest, allowing for a smooth and simple workflow to set up a new room or replace misbehaving gear.

Click on the buttons below to play with the interactive prototype I built using Adobe XD.

The Auto-Matrix

In envisioning the future of classroom design, I've developed a prototype that embodies central Transition Design principles: automation, user-centricity, and data-driven decision-making. The "Auto-Matrix" concept aims to streamline user experience by automatically managing video input/output based on user actions and historical usage patterns. This approach leverages data from Crestron Fusion software, which I configured and regularly analyze using AI tools to gain deeper insights into classroom use.

Our data analysis revealed that nearly 90% of classroom activities in September 2024 involved either one laptop or the in-room PC. This insight drove the design of a more intuitive, effortless interface that caters to the majority while still accommodating advanced users. The system anticipates user needs—for instance, automatically routing a newly connected laptop to the most commonly used displays—while providing manual override options for exceptions.

This design also seamlessly integrates with our Zoom Room Controller, a decision informed by a comprehensive video conferencing vendor analysis I led in 2015. That process ended when we transferred ownership of our Zoom account to central MIT's Information & Systems Technology department in 2019. This interface integration represents a shift towards unified, simplified control interfaces, reducing users' cognitive load and potentially decreasing energy consumption through smarter resource management.

This prototype exemplifies Transition Design's focus on creating adaptive, user-centered systems that evolve based on data and changing needs. In the PhD program, I will dive into how such approaches can be applied to broader societal systems, fostering more intuitive, efficient, and sustainable solutions.

Click on the buttons below to play with the interactive prototype I built using Adobe XD.

The Help Button

I developed a prototype integrating classroom interfaces with Slack, which would streamline communication between presenters and AV Specialists. This system would allow presenters to request help directly through the classroom interface, automatically routing support queries to AV Specialists via Slack, where day-to-day operations are managed. The design emerged from over 25 user experience sessions with diverse stakeholders, exemplifying Transition Design's emphasis on user-centric, iterative development.

The goal was to enhance functionality while maintaining interface familiarity, minimizing users' learning curves. You can see only one difference between what is below and the first interface on this page (the STS Help button at the top left). By leveraging Slack, the system builds upon existing workflows, allowing AV Specialists to respond to calls without leaving their primary communication platform. This approach demonstrates how incremental innovations can significantly improve system efficiency without disrupting established practices. While designed with the potential for AI-driven trend analysis of support data, user feedback revealed privacy concerns about extensive tracking. This highlights a key Transition Design challenge: balancing technological advancement with user comfort and ethical considerations. 

This project showcases my approach to designing transitions in complex socio-technical systems, particularly in educational environments. In the Transition Design PhD program, I will utilize methods for navigating the tension between advancing system capabilities and addressing user concerns, especially where data-driven improvements intersect with privacy considerations in collaborative digital environments.

Click on the buttons below to play with the interactive prototype I built using Adobe XD.

Hint: Most of the action is in the top left of the interface. After you click on STS Help, you can also click on the status of your request, which is shown on the top left. Once your request has been submitted, a button in the bottom right lets you see what happens when an AV Specialist accepts the request and is on the way.