Abstract
My technical and STS research projects are related through a shared concern with how design choices influence user experience and shape user behavior—particularly in online environments. In my technical project, I worked on redesigning the IMDb website using Figma, focusing on improving usability and accessibility for different types of users. In my STS research paper, I used Actor-Network Theory to analyze the dangers of AI chatbots, focusing on the Garcia v. Character.AI case. While the projects differ in subject matter—one focused on redesigning a website’s interface and the other on ethical failures in AI—the STS framework helped me see that both are sociotechnical systems composed of actors that need to work together in an intentional way. Both projects highlight that the success or failure of a digital platform depends not only on its technical features, but also on how responsibly its human and non-human actors are designed to interact with and support its users.
In my technical report, my team and I proposed a redesign of the IMDb interface using Figma. We developed wireframes and interactive prototypes with a user-centered approach. We created various personas to guide design decisions and evaluate the site’s navigation and search functionality. The goal was to make IMDb more intuitive and inclusive, especially for general users who struggle with cluttered layouts and insufficient filtering tools. This project emphasized that effective design is not just purely about aesthetics but also about creating a system that anticipates and accommodates user needs.
In my STS research projects, I examined the sociotechnical network that failed in the Garcia v. Character.AI case, where an AI chatbot contributed to Sewell Seltzer III’s mental health crisis. Using Actor-Network Theory, I argued that the developers failed to properly construct a robust and ethical network of actors. The chatbot was released without sufficient moderation and oversight. ANT helped me show how non-human actors like algorithms and platform design can carry social roles and responsibilities, and how neglecting those roles can have real-world consequences. The case highlights how technologies can act unpredictably when the network is poorly designed.
Working on both projects deepened my understanding of how digital platforms affect users—not just functionally, but socially and ethically. Redesigning the IMDb interface made me think about inclusivity and usability, while my STS work helped me to consider the risks of neglecting user safety, especially when AI is involved. Moving forward, I will approach design not just as a technical challenge but as a responsibility to build systems that are ethical, inclusive, and aware of their broader social impact.
