So I have written the statement of purpose. I am applying for graduate school for a human computer interaction and design program. I would appreciate any feedback on grammer, clarity, etc. here are the questions to answer for the SoP. I have edited the SoP to offer anonymity. I have tried to provide details and facts and offer the best clarity of my goals and direction for the program. My only concern is the use of "I". I use it alot but I justify its use because its a statement of me and my goals and spirations in the program. :)
- Why you are prepared for this program?
- What you bring to the program?
- Why this program is a good fit for you?
- What you hope to do with this degree?
- Important life experiences that show us you are the person to accept?
Here I stood at an elevation of 7828 feet at roughly half the height of ____ on its northeast face, staring below at the detail of the ____ and ___ glaciers as they extended down slope. My friend and I was still a couple of hours from camp but we took a break to marvel at the sheer size of _____. Jokingly, my friend (name) stated, "It would be bad if Mt. mountain were to blow its top off right now." I agreed and replied, "We would be dead! But I wouldn't mind because we are doing something we love." At that moment, I reflected on how I was present when my mother passed away before my own eyes. These moments arise and sting a bit but death is an experience I have faced and it has offered a great measure of personal growth and maturity. Though it has been hard to come to realize that the single mother that raised me is no longer present in my life. I recognize only now, years after her death I am not really alone but that she continues to guide me. I have overcome depression and been able to move forward by consistently setting goals. One of these goals is to enter into the Masters Program in Human-Computer Interaction and Design at the (school name) to further develop my passion for design and technology.
My mother was a great example to me in how she lived. She taught children with learning disabilities and shared a great enthusiasm to teach English, Reading, and Math to the numerous students in her 40+ year career. Her experiences instilled in me a desire and a hope to further better the lives of others through my own talents. I have an insatiable appetite to create. This urgency to create is only expounded by my love of technology. These two passions have coalesced into how I as an artist interpret my creativity through the interaction of digital media on a tablet. The idea to create a work of art by putting a finger to a tablet is exciting. The functionality of such interaction between my thought to the interpretation of digital ink left on the computer is something that I wish to build upon and improve. I hope to integrate my experience as an Artist in the development of a more natural methodology and process in which to create art with various platforms.
After tending to family business, I returned to my senior year at the (school name). Returning to school was not easy, to be honest I postponed my grief for 6 months in order to graduate, but you will see in my transcripts I maintained high grades through the last two quarters and was honored to be listed on the School of Arts and Sciences annual dean's list for the 2007-2008 school year. I have a strong commitment to succeed and I have gained solid experience in undergraduate studies that include Design 1, Animation Design and Video Production. This experience will bring (1) a knowledge of aesthetic design concepts (2) an understanding in the principles of composition (3) a solid working knowledge of artistic skills to sketch and draw (4) the ability to create and design information from written or oral sources (5) a strong ability to openly communicate with diverse people.
My undergraduate studies have developed my abilities to understand the principles of design, but I have also learned through professional experience. As you will see in my resume and the submission of applicable work experience I am prepared for this program. A significant work that I have accomplished includes the digital book (name) which is a visual interpretation of uncommon stories that are told with imagery rather than the use of words. I created a visual interpretation of a Native American Kwakiutl story based on the "Hamatsa Ceremony". It is a tale of three man-eater birds that prey on humans. The source of the story is from spoken word and tells the story of the birds preying on the human in a ceremonial dance. The illustration was completed using my skills in painting and drawing, with the emphasis of the imagery to be visually striking and offer easy interpretation. In the process I gained a working knowledge of page layout, using the principles of composition, editing and final preparation for the books digital publication
With every painting, I begin with sketching in a journal to design a sense of space as it relates to landscapes I reflect upon after hiking outdoors. Often the sketches are rudimentary but I keep the work open and free to allow a process of addition or reduciton within the painting, which can be seen in the painting LS-1 which hangs in (hall) located on campus at the (school name) and in my online portfolio.
I believe the greatest measure that further prepares me for this program is how I connect with the process to "discover design opportunities based on quantitative and qualitative data acquired from users". I understand how the interaction of art can integrate with how the viewer perceives or understands their environment. My art is open to interpretation on purpose and its complexity forces you to interact with it. I often enjoy when I receive feedback by someone that is connected to my work. It is this connection which gives me a strong desire to be the facilitator to both develop and improve a users integration with technology.
For the last year, I have recognized a lack in both my experience and skills to apply for related positions in the workforce. I believe this program offers a real world application to its curriculum. As you will recognize in (person X) letter of recommendation, I have a determination to gain these skills and exhibit a desire to always learn by reading books and learning online through free resources even after receiving a bachelors degree. But I recognize that a formal education is the best path for me because it offers a track and group setting in which I can excel.
The idea of a one year intensive graduate degree seems daunting but I have full confidence that I can succeed. I am particularly drawn to this program with its cross-disciplinary approach and an emphasis for projects based on the environment and assistive technology. I am particularly excited by the prospect of working with Profs. (name) and (name). Professor (name) (technology name) has impacted my understanding of how technology can be used to improve the workflow of physically impaired individuals and redefine how a person creates art. I believe the HCI+D program is a good fit for me because it will give me the opportunity to develop a project that would allow the investigation and development of new spatial environments or technology that allows a user to create or explore art in new and meaningful ways. And with the guidance and direction of Profs. (name) and (name) I can gain further knowledge and expertise in their previous projects and further develop it with my own aspirations and goals.
