What’s Up?
I’m Aiden, a junior at Cornell studying Information Science and minoring in Design + Environmental Analysis.
This is a story of how lessons, experiences, and personal discoveries shaped me into who I am today.
The Lore
I consider my first hobby to be looking around to find the intent behind everyday objects. Why does something exist? How does it accomplish its purpose? Most importantly, what was its creator thinking when they made such an object?
This curiosity evolved into a desire to become a creator myself: someone who crafts products whose form and function reflect my own identity. I explored with cardboard, then paper, and then 3D printing to bring ideas from my head into my hands.
Artistry
One of my other hobbies, playing the trombone, led me to the Juilliard School’s Pre-College Division: a conservatory-style music program that shows students what it means to live as a musician, both in academics and in the outside world.
It was here where I found community in a passionate group of peers that I practiced and performed alongside, instructors who paid attention to every minute detail, and mentors whose lifestyles showed me how I can conduct myself as a musician and beyond.
I give credit to my former instructors Weston Sprott, Demian Austin, and the other faculty and students who fostered my appreciation for both artistry and personal integrity.
The “Big Red”
My passion for 3D design and music along with the values I developed brought me to Cornell: a school with a combination of academic and social infrastructure that would allow me to mature in many possible fields.
I initially joined the Design + Environmental Analysis (DEA) program, where I studied spatial design and design theory for my first three semesters. I joined the Cornell Orchestra and immersed myself in design research through the Rawlings Cornell Presidential Research Scholars (RCPRS) program, all of which served as foundations for my growth as a designer, musician, and student researcher. I also found a community of peers and mentors who supported me through wins, losses, and the spaces in between.
Pivoting
One thing that’s guaranteed to be part of life is change. As AI began to make ripples in fields more distant from technology, I sought a major that would teach me how to take advantage of it in a creative context. Going into my junior year, I pivoted into the Information Science major and its User Experience concentration, studying Human-Computer Interaction as well as minoring in DEA to develop my design skills in parallel.
As a junior with design and HCI experience, President of Cornell’s Rawlings Scholars, and trombonist in the Cornell Jazz Ensemble, I aspire to use my blend of design and technology to help guide AI’s emergence into our physical world. We may not know which form, function, or intent it may develop in the future, but we can do our best to make its purpose meaningful.
I like to look around to find the intent in objects, concepts, and interfaces. Whether it be through studying AI’s influence on norms in society and design, making whimsical 3D prints to share with friends and professors, or vibing with fellow musicians, I look forward to learning from the world and being a part of its development into the future.
I appreciate that you read my story; let’s have a chat, share a meal, or make cool things together!
Aiden Hwang
If you think I would fit a current or future role on your team, let’s get in touch!
