45 minute talk

As waves of new technology continue to roll in, it’s critical now more than ever that we spend time and resources to understand the humans involved and their unique paths in life. However, the process of performing qualitative research to understand the essential “why,” is incredibly challenging. Successfully moving from research insights to action within […]

“Diversity is going to the party. Inclusion is being on the party-planning committee.” [Verna Meyers] Diversity and inclusion are imperative for anyone practicing information architecture. Categories, labels, and complex information spaces being built today will inherit value judgments by those who create them, impacting anyone else coming into contact with the frameworks that are built. […]

Google has become synonymous with search, and voice platforms like Alexa are changing expectations from lists of potential results to a single “right” answer. In the face of well-performing, well-funded competitors like these, it might be tempting to throw in the towel entirely and assume that building your own site search or app search is […]

Much like the physical environment, the digital experience for the guests at Disney Parks is one that should feel personal and make their vacation unique. Our team at Disney Parks and Resorts Digital was challenged with that task: create a digital ecosystem as dynamic as all the facets of a Disney vacation, which encompasses a […]

In 2002 I passed through a gate labeled “Information Architect” (a smaller sign read “now leaving Content Strategist”) and ever since the IA worldview has informed my approach to the design and building of digital spaces. Since then I passed through additional gates with names such as “Interaction Designer” and “Pattern Detective,” and “Design Manager” […]

A formerly secret IBM-funded research project 0f 1978 was the earliest interactive design in arts education and was among the last and least known projects from the legendary designers Charles and Ray Eames. The game led viewers to recognize the styles of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painters through random selection, simple interactions, and feedbacks ranging from […]

Immersive technologies like augmented, virtual, and mixed reality are creating new intersections between the physical and digital worlds, and as digital experience designers and architects it is essential that we start to think beyond the screen. In this session we’ll explore lessons learned by studying immersive design at Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece residence built […]

Designers, information architects, and researchers deserve a seat at the table, where they can shape and influence the strategic direction of the company. But what are the primary indicators that your organization is prepared to listen, change, and evolve? This presentation will address how design has established itself as a competitive business differentiator for those […]

How do we design an Augmented Reality experience when we’ve never designed for AR before? Worse yet, when most people have never designed for AR before. (Cue the scary music!) The simple answer is to overcome the fear and just start learning as much and as fast as we can, but that’s easier said than […]

We know that user research is important, but many of us work in organizations that don’t. Personas can be really great tools, but they don’t always fit our needs and often seem to be tools just for us (UXers). We (two speakers) work in different organizations within the same large research university. While working on […]

Whether you are building a team, managing experience practitioners or navigating career changers, managing a team of creative and analytical IA practitioners can be challenging. The welcome change towards diverse and inclusive hiring practices can add even more challenges. Learn how an experienced manager navigated through painful challenges and wonderful successes while managing large and […]

We often think of navigation as a list of what users can find on a website or app. But what navigation really is, is a map of what’s possible. By only using navigation as a categorized list of screens, we information architects are limiting our own potential, as well as the potential of our users. […]

“The Spatial Turn” is a term used to describe an intellectual movement that emphasises place and space in social science and the humanities. It is closely linked with quantitative and geo-spatial analyses of history, literature, cartography, and the communication arts. In this talk, the presenters take turns mapping the evolution of thinking in the community […]

We have the difficult task of solving enterprise problems, often without having direct access to end users or understanding the domain we are designing for. When we do talk to end users, there is an expectation of subject matter knowledge and a respect for their domain before asking a single question. Additionally, organizational resistance makes […]

In some ways, this talk is a simple one, designed to provide a single solution to a core problem facing all us UXers: Too many project managers, product managers, project sponsors, and so on balk at the idea of performing ANY user research. Two key objections arise when user research is proposed: “Our users don’t […]

As UX Researchers, our job is not over when the observations are done. In fact, that’s when the most important part of our job is just beginning. A key finding from a research study is only actionable if it’s shared in a meaningful way that grabs the attention of your stakeholders and team members. How […]

The making of a truly connected city via their State Departments, Organizations & more. How Information Architecture may help State Government Agencies to push the envelope and deliver unforgettable, Citizen-Centric experiences? How to design a seamless journey across Departments, Bureaus and more ensuring a comprehensive Content Authoring layer that grows organically while more and more […]

Ethics in user experience design has become a prevalent topic in recent years. But from a pragmatic perspective, what are the ethical issues and considerations we must take into account as designers? And, how do we approach design while also considering the long-reaching effects of our decisions? This presentation will explore ethics in UX design […]