super interesting video i saw on why rendering type is so difficult — when i took Typography at RPI and learned about the origins of type, i was intrigued by how typesetting machines worked before computers (e.g. Linotype). looking back, i would argue that many of those old-school machines produced type better than our computers today. this video attests to that.

when i first learned about neural networks, i never understood the math behind backpropagation and how a NN truly “learned” from its mistakes. this video made everything crystal clear. it’s also the best explanation of the chain rule i’ve ever seen, intuitive even for people who have no knowledge of calculus.

the most fundemental part of machine learning is the math behind its magic. although much of it gets abstracted away after learning initial ML concepts, i always find it refreshing to go back to the basics.

although 3B1B has a course on machine learning already, i’d argue that his Essence of linear algebra playlist is even more important to watch. this course personally helped me throughout my time taking multivariable calculus and matrix algebra.

as someone who spends most of my day typing, i’ve used a variety of keyboards over the years. i currently use an EPOMAKER X Aula F75 MAX; it has a very soothing sound, RGB, and even a tiny screen to put a GIF of your choice on.

in the past, i’ve used a Logitech MX Mechanical Mini, as well as a Hexgears Impulse — both are very different, but i like them each in their own ways.

i’ve probably gone through dozens of mice over the years.

the one i currently use on my PC is a Glorious Model I2; i switched to it because of its lightweight design and ability to double click (a mechanism where tapping your pointer finger on LMB in a certain way will cause the mouse to register two clicks instead of one, useful for certain games). since double clicking is technically a flaw in the mouse mechanism, most mice companies obviously don’t make their mice do this, and many also prevent you from lowering your debounce time in the mouse software, which means that the second click never has a chance to register. unfortunately, the I2’s battery life kind of sucks.

my all-time favorite mouse is the Logitech G502; i used this mouse for over seven years and upgraded to its wireless counterpart after my first one got worn out. i loved the amount of side buttons on it, but it unfortunately can’t double click.

i use a Logitech MX Master 3S for my Mac, and (controversially) a Magic Trackpad. while i think the MX Master is overrated, i think Apple’s trackpads may be one of the most underrated parts of all their products.

this site was designed in Figma, and built with Astro. i actually have a minor in Graphic Design from RPI which i completed in May 2026, after taking many courses in the Graphic and Interactive Media Design pathway under the HASS department. hopefully, this is evident in my website design :)

i attribute my growth as a graphic designer to my professor, Sara Tack, who taught all of the classes i took. i went in with very little graphic design experience, and came out with a strong grasp in almost every Adobe product and design philosphy. i learned about color theory, photography, typography, marketing, and physical production of different material.

i would argue i learned just as much (if not more) throughout my minor as i did throughout my major. i think my greatest strength as a computer scientist is being creative, and i believe much of my creativity comes from my experience in the traditional arts. in addition to graphic design, i’ve been editing videos for over 5 years, and am fluent in Premiere Pro and intermediate in After Effects.

many tell me that my minor will become obsolete, as ChatGPT can just generate whatever image you desire. while it’s true that many technical skills will become less and less relevant, i think that understanding the principles of design and knowing how to communicate your thoughts as an artist will always be valuable. time will tell.