Technical Team

Mathew S. Mason, MA
Lead Usability Analyst

Job at HFI

• Perform expert review and human factors analysis of systems.
• Advise on and guide user-centered design methodology
• Conduct a variety of usability testing methods
• Create user-centered designs that meet business goals are easy to use

Experience

Mathew has been working in the areas of consulting and contracting for several years. His experience covers a broad spectrum of user-centered design work; including human factors analysis, usability testing, and interaction design. While working in the Washington, D.C. area he consulted on various military and government projects, as well as educational Web site design. After moving to Boston, he worked as a contractor for companies such as Verizon and Fidelity Investments before coming to work full-time at Human Factors International.

Education

B.A. Psychology – Brandeis University

M.A. Psychology – Human Factors and Applied Cognition, George Mason University

Favorite Projects

Most of all, Mathew enjoys collaboration. He likes bringing many perspectives to the table and creating designs that take different needs and viewpoints into account; whether they are from various stakeholders, technical disciplines, or user types.

Areas of Interest and Design Orientation

Technology is meant to serve as a tool for people to use. Somewhere along the line, the tools became so intricate and the process of building them so complex, that we began to lose the point. We began to adapt our behavior to the tools, rather than making sure that the tools met our needs and abilities. The primary job of a human factors engineer is to study, understand, and implement designs to reverse that trend. When technology is built with the needs and abilities of the user in mind; it becomes invisible.

Professional interests include medical and scientific technology, Web site design, mobile devices, and video game interface design. Academic interests are complex visualization, computer supported collaborative work, human-computer interaction, and quantifying usability.

Hobbies and Special Interests

Mathew enjoys hiking and backpacking and tries to get out to the mountains every chance he gets. When at home in the city he likes to cook, check out live music (Boston has a great local scene), and watch independent films. Travel, technology, and politics round out the list.

Favorite Food

Spicy tuna rolls, barbeque chicken, sag paneer, Belhaven and a rare steak

Character

Mathew is curious and enthusiastic. He enjoys working with people from various disciplines and backgrounds in order to get at the right solution for the problem.

Technical Team