Rick Flaherty

Ａ あ

Enchanted by Technology.

I grew up in Japan speaking English at home. I loved using technology with elegant user interfaces from a young age. I was enchanted by the "dock" in Mac OS X, the multi-touch display, and HTML5/CSS3.

I went to Waseda's Department of Intermedia Art and Science to study how to spark wonder through creativity and technology. I continue to explore new interactions with technology as a master's student.

I'll be graduating in September 2022, and I'm looking to get a human interaction or user experience job.

Education

  • Waseda University, Faculty of Science and Engineering
    M.E. Intermedia Studies / Expected September 2022

    Tomoko Hashida Lab.

    Started a project on a conversation facilitating system that is independent of language.

  • Waseda University, School of Fundamental Science and Engineering
    B.E. Intermedia Art and Science / September 2020

    Tomoko Hashida Lab.

    Started a project on using static electricity on dandelions to give the impression of lifelikeness.
    Received 2nd Prize at an international creative award.
    Presented at the Entertainment Computing 2020 conference.

Skills

  • HTML/CSS/JavaScript

    I started creating blog templates for fun. I've used these skills to create a media art piece that displays tweets in a tree structure, and built this website from scratch!

  • Python

    I've used Python since atleast when I joined Hashida Lab. I've played with ALife code and analyzed conversations using a mic-array. I started a Python study group at my dorm with a couple of friends.

  • Microcontrollers

    Arduino, ESP32, Raspberry Pi. Interacting with the physical world is emphasised at Tomoko Hashida Lab. I've used microcomputers for media art projects as well as for my conversation faciltating robot.

  • 3D Printing

    Any custom parts I need for my prototypes, I can model in Fusion 360 and 3D print.

Qualifications

  • TOEIC L&R 990 points (full score)

  • Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination

Publications, Awards and Acknowledgements

  • Entertainment Computing 2020

    Living Pappi: Dandelion Pappi That Convey Animacy by Resisting Gravity [in Japanese]

    Presented my research at the Entertainment Computing 2020 conference. The paper is available at: http://id.nii.ac.jp/1001/00206429/.

  • ISCA 2019 Digital Content Section 2nd Prize

    Kesaran Pappus: Living Dandelion Puff

    Selected as one of the 26 participants to exhibit at an international creative award. 502 works were submitted from 69 schools in Japan and 20 different countries.

    Won 2nd Prize in the digital content section.

  • Junction Tokyo 2019 API Hack Track Finalist

    Thera - Assist Individuals Struggling Through Mental Illness (Group Project)

    Suggested the use of web design that reflects the user’s mood to enhance the sense that Thera understands the user’s emotional state.

    Implemented the dynamic background using p5.js.

    Selected as one of 3 finalists out of 21 submitted projects.