Helen Armstrong

Helen Armstrong serves as Professor of Graphic & Experience Design and Director of the Graduate Program in Graphic & Experience Design at North Carolina State University's College of Design. Her academic leadership spans research, publication, and industry collaboration at the intersection of design and artificial intelligence.

Her educational background includes an MA in English Literature from The University of Mississippi, an MA in Publication Design from the University of Baltimore, and an MFA in Graphic Design from The Maryland Institute College of Art. Armstrong's research focuses on digital rights, human-machine teaming, and accessible design, driven by her advocacy for inclusive interfaces as a parent of a child with disabilities. She explores how designers can establish leadership in AI development through human-centered approaches, particularly in explainable AI systems and trust calibration between humans and machines.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a dominant trend toward applying design principles to artificial intelligence challenges, with increasing emphasis on visualization techniques for uncertainty representation, ethical considerations in AI, and inclusive design methodologies. Her work consistently bridges theoretical frameworks with practical industry applications across diverse domains including intelligence analysis, financial services, and assistive technologies.

Scientific recognition includes:

• University Faculty Scholar at NC State (2018)

Armstrong actively mentors graduate and undergraduate students through studio courses and research projects while securing substantial industry funding. Her sponsored research portfolio features partnerships with SAS Analytics, IBM, REI, Advance Auto Parts, Sealed Air, Fidelity Investments, and the Laboratory for Analytic Sciences. Current projects address critical challenges in human-AI teaming, including visualizing confidence scores for speaker models, knowledge transfer in wealth management, and personalized shopping experiences.

She maintains deep collaboration with the NC State Laboratory for Analytic Sciences (LAS) and contributes to the K-12 Design Lab initiative, extending her expertise in inclusive design to educational outreach programs and community engagement efforts.