Between August 4 and 6, 2014, Natura and the MIT Media Lab held a Hackathon aimed at answering the following question: “How can technology connect the product to the virtual environment to enhance the Natura consumer experience?”. During the Hackathon, two Brazilian participants were selected to develop their projects at the Media Lab, MIT, one of the world's leading centers in innovation, design, science, and technology, with scholarships funded by Natura.
Student Caroline Rozendo shared with us how this experience has been. Check out the interview!
Natura Campus: How is the development of the Hackathon projects going?
Caroline: Before coming to the Media Lab, I had a conference between myself, Natura, and my advisor at the Media Lab, and we agreed that I would remain open to developing new things in light of the positive influence at the Media Lab. What I am producing here is not exactly the Hackathon project, but a series of small experiences related to user experience, within a broad theme that was conceived during the Hackathon. New ideas have emerged here as well.
Natura Campus: How is the experience at the MIT Media Lab?
Caroline: I think for me, it compares to an experience I had on a trip when I decided to climb to the top of a mountain. For someone who came from below and has never done trekking, it seems high and too far away, it feels impossible to get there. When you take on the challenge and reach your goal, you look at the vastness of the fjord and feel tiny, but at the same time, you realize that you are part of it all. That the world is big, but it is open to be explored.
It is worth the effort to be here. At the Media Lab, you meet normal people, with dreams, insecurities, desires, joys... But all very intelligent and willing to marvel at the possibilities, to be part of something new. Everyone is very busy with their projects, but frequently organized lunches, teas, and interaction events are held so that people can leave their labs and get to know each other.
As a Visiting Student, we cannot register for classes, only attend as listeners if the professor agrees. I started trying to attend three classes a week, and soon realized that it was too much. At a university, it is usually considered that three classes a week is little, but with the volume of things happening at the Media Lab, most students take only one or at most two classes per semester, so they can dedicate themselves properly. I think the first months here are a shock for everyone. The way work is done here is open, with minimal control, and a lot of freedom. There are lectures, events, workshops... It is a culturally stimulating environment.
I ended up deciding to focus on the course taught by Dan Novy, which discusses ways to apply principles of magic to interface design and user experience. As a designer, I have a special interest in how to create fluid interfaces, where the person does not need to focus on or understand the technology involved, and this course is especially aimed at that.
In the middle of the semester, we had Member's Week, a week at the Media Lab where groups open their projects to sponsoring companies. I participated in two little projects and was very happy to present, hear feedback, and see what others were doing.
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