Why we do
what we do
A need for a better awareness of our relationship to the news.
The Current Project was created to help better understand how we manage the surplus of information at our fingertips, as well as how we create our rituals around information consumption. More specifically, I am looking into college students changing relationship with then news through the advancement of technology.
I believe it is possible to create interactive tools and experiences which will enhance U.S. college students’ personal connection to international news. This is necessary in order for the students to become more informed global citizens.
Cocooned in classrooms for only our first (21 years) or so, we effectively spend the rest of our lives under the tutelage of the news entities which wield infinitely greater influence over us than any academic institution can. Once our formal education has finished, the news is the teacher.
Alain de Botton, The News: A User’s Manual

Scott Ichikawa
Hello, my name is Scott Ichikawa. I am a Senior Interaction Design Lead in Seattle, WA. I have over thirteen years of professional experience within the visual communication and interactive design fields, excellent communication & problem solving skills and most importantly a unique perspective on interaction design.
Most recently, I have been part of the interaction design team at Teague’s Seattle Design Studio, collaborating, leading and inspiring teams of designers / makers to create thoughtful & tangible user experiences to help build the technology of the future. I am also pursuing a Masters Degree in Interaction Design at the University of Washington.
From 2004 to 2013 I served as Principal and Senior Digital Art Director at LitFuse Design, an interactive design consultancy that I cofounded in 2004.
Thesis Committee
I have had the privilege to work with a diverse and talented group of faculty and industry professionals on this project. I could not have gotten this far without their help and support.

Kristine Matthews
UW, Associate Professor, Division of Design. Owner and Principal at Studio Matthews.

Tom Hobbs
Product Design Manager at Facebook. Formerly Creative Director at Teague’s Seattle Design Studio.

Tad Hirsch
UW, Assistant Professor & Director at the Public Practice Studio.
Special thanks
A very special thank you my wife, Andrea, who supported me throughout this process. I also have to thank my son for giving me a fresh perspective on life and this project. I would also like to thank my fellow grad school colleagues for their feedback and help in bringing this project together.