Burnaby, BC-based D-Wave is among the most unique computing companies in the world, providing access to the emerging science of quantum computing.

Translating the esoteric science into real-world uses and benefits is a major communication challenge for D-Wave, one that they are meeting with a set of demo applications that show how complex, real-world problems can be addressed by quantum computers.

D-Wave contracted me to help design interfaces for the demonstrations that would make the problems being solved accessible to a variety of audiences. We also addressed the need for these demonstrations to perform in a highly simplified manner, so that presenters would not need to divert their attention from interacting with the audience.

Working on a tight schedule, we met to talk about the way the demonstrations would be used, who would be seeing them and thinking about the constraints of a presentation and working in that context. The final report contained a number of recommendations, including a proposed re-design of the interface for one of the demo applications.

It’s exciting to not only work with people doing things on the leading edge of science, but to also see the applications in action, knowing that a whole different kind of computer is behind the work being done, in real time.