Talking to experts in your field can be intimidating. You go in expecting deep, philosophical discussions, maybe some critique, and — if you’re lucky — a few words of encouragement. Over the last two days, I had the chance to speak with two experts in human-computer interaction: Horst Hörtner from Ars Electronica Futurelab and Mr. Kaltenbrunner from the University of Art and Design in Linz. These conversations were part of my university schedule, but what I got out of them was much more than just academic feedback.
One conversation felt like a motivational boost (with a healthy dose of honesty), while the other was more of a crash course in rethinking my approach to my master’s thesis. Both were interesting, challenging, and, at times, unintentionally hilarious.
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Horst Hörtner: Put Some Ego Into It!
First up was Horst Hörtner, a leading expert in human-computer interaction and the managing director of Ars Electronica Futurelab — an institution at the cutting edge of digital media, design, art, and technology. So, you know, no pressure.
From the moment we started talking, it was clear that Horst is not one to sugarcoat things. He gave me some incredibly encouraging feedback about my work, calling it kinda impressive — which, coming from someone at Ars Electronica, felt like getting a thumbs-up from the tech gods. But then he followed up with something unexpected:
“You should definitely put more ego into talking about your work.”
I had to laugh because, honestly, he’s not wrong. I’ve always believed in my work, but I tend to present it in a more straightforward, no-big-deal way. Horst, however, made it clear that confidence is not just about knowing you’re good — it’s about making sure everyone else knows it too. He said I already sound confident (as I should, apparently, because I’m “very good” at what I do — his words, not mine! 😆), but I need to own it even more.
Then came the part that didn’t surprise me at all.
“Everything I see here shows me that you’re a workaholic.”
Guilty as charged. I don’t even know how to argue with that one. But it’s nice when someone at one of the most important digital media institutions in Austria recognizes my dedication — workaholism and all.
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Mr. Kaltenbrunner: A Masterclass in Master’s-Thesis Thinking
Next, I had my conversation with Mr. Kaltenbrunner, professor at the Institute of Media Studies in Linz, head of the Tangible Music Lab, and co-inventor of the Reactivision framework. Basically, a serious expert in my field. This talk, though… this was an experience.
I had roughly five minutes to present my master’s thesis topic, then in between the few rare moments I was allowed to answer his questions, I got some very insightful feedback.
Here are the key takeaways from our conversation:
1. Collaboration is key.
– One of his biggest concerns was that my prototype shouldn’t feel like I just send my grandpa a link and then never check in again (Which, to be fair, would be kind of rude, but if you take a few seconds to listen to me, you would know that would never be the case for me and my prototype.)
– The app needs to focus on genuine collaboration — a space where family members actively contribute rather than just passively consuming information.
– This made me rethink how to design interactions that actually bring families together, rather than just giving them access to shared content.
2. Storytelling, Legacies, and Family Heirlooms.
– He suggested I go deeper into the storytelling aspect — not just digital legacies but also physical heirlooms (letters, objects, photos). And I know this one as it makes total sense because, honestly, what’s family history without the things we pass down? Whether it’s an old watch, a recipe book, or that one piece of furniture nobody wants to get rid of, heirlooms hold as much history as the people who owned them.
– It made me realize that my app prototype could include ways to document objects and their stories, turning them into digital keepsakes.
3. Version 1.0 is Enough (For Now).
– Mr. Kaltenbrunner reminded me that my master’s thesis doesn’t have to be the final, polished version of my project. It can be a solid Version 1.0, and I can build on it later.
– This was honestly a relief to hear. As someone who tends to go all-in on projects (see: *workaholic*), I sometimes forget that progress is better than perfection.
4. Make an Explainer Video.
– He suggested that I create a short promotional video to explain my prototype — something that could be shared on social media and clearly demonstrate the app’s purpose.
– This was actually an amazing idea. Not only does it help communicate my project visually and concisely, but it’s also a practical way to generate interest and potential future collaborations.
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What These Talks Mean for My Future Work and Design
Both of these conversations reinforced some important lessons about confidence, design, and the creative process:
– Confidence matters. If I’m good at what I do (and, apparently, I am), I need to talk about my work with pride and conviction.
– Collaboration should be at the heart of my project. The prototype isn’t just a digital archive — it’s a space for families to interact, share, and co-create their history.
– Objects tell stories too. My prototype should allow users to document not just people, but the heirlooms and artifacts that carry family history.
– Version 1.0 is enough. My thesis is just the beginning, and I can continue refining and expanding my project long after I submit it.
– Explaining ideas visually is crucial. A well-crafted video can make an abstract concept tangible, which is a skill I’ll definitely need in future projects.
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Final Thoughts: Two Days, Two Experts, Tons of Inspiration
Talking to Horst Hörtner and Mr. Kaltenbrunner gave me exactly what I needed — encouragement, constructive critique, and fresh ideas to push my thesis forward.
Horst reminded me to own my skills and talk about my work with more confidence (and also called me out for being a workaholic, which… fair). Mr. Kaltenbrunner, on the other hand, helped refine my thesis direction, giving me a clearer vision of how to make my prototype more collaborative and meaningful.
After these conversations, I feel more motivated, focused, and — dare I say it — ready to embrace my inner workaholic to bring this project to life.
And who knows? Maybe next time, I’ll talk about my work with a *little* more ego. After all, if you’re good at something, why not let everybody know? 😏