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Home / Sessions / Understanding Users through Embodied Cognition

Understanding Users through Embodied Cognition

2018 IA Summit

Cost

$350 USD

Time(s)

March 22, 2018
1:30 PM to 5:30 PM CT

Description

The most powerful way to understand users is by observing their behaviour. How we interpret these observations, however, is deeply rooted in long-standing ideas from cognitive science. But cognitive science is undergoing a revolution known as embodiment and it has enormous implications for design.

The key idea of embodiment is that the mind is more than just the brain. The way we think, reason, solve problems, and make sense of information involves a subtle and complex interplay between brain, body, and the world around us. As our technology has shifted to mobile, our bodies and the environment are becoming a more important part of the story. This shift will only become more pronounced with augmented reality and other emerging technologies. Embodied cognition provides a powerful new lens for observing user behaviour, decoding what people are actually doing, and making design decisions.

You will learn just enough theory to start seeing familiar, everyday user activities through an embodiment lens. This workshop will give you a vocabulary of embodiment concepts, and a structured framework, to analyze user behavior as an embodied experience. This includes practicing with video of people in real situations. You already know how to understand users when they interact with screens. Now learn to understand them when they interact with their whole world.

This workshop includes:

  • A reference booklet with concepts,  frameworks, references and recommended reading
  • Participants will learn why embodiment matters and how to:
    • use an embodiment perspective for working on real-world design problems and current technologies
    • use a conceptual foundation for near-future design problems that will arise from emerging technologies such as augmented reality, large touchscreens, flexible displays, and much more

About the speakers

Karl Fast
Karl Fast

Karl Fast studies what it means to think well in a world jam-packed with information. He holds a PhD in information science, was a Professor of UX Design at Kent State University, and is co-author of “Figure it Out: Getting from Information to Understanding.” Karl has worked in information architecture and user experience since the earliest days of the web.

Sponsor IAC

We’re looking for organizations who share our commitment to building and sustaining programs that drive a more inclusive industry. Learn more on the Sponsor IAC23 page or contact us directly at info@theiaconference.com for more information.

Thanks to this year’s sponsors!

Logo for sponsor Optimal Workshop
Platinum sponsor
Optimal Workshop
Logo for sponsor Factor Firm
Gold sponsor
Factor Firm
Logo for sponsor Last Call Media
Silver sponsor
Last Call Media
Logo for sponsor Design for Context
Scholarship sponsor
Design for Context

Logo for sponsor A Book Apart
In-Kind sponsor
A Book Apart
Logo for sponsor Balsamiq
In-Kind sponsor
Balsamiq
Logo for sponsor MURAL
In-Kind sponsor
MURAL
Logo for sponsor Rosenfeld Media
In-Kind sponsor
Rosenfeld Media
Logo for sponsor UX Camp DC
Community sponsor
UX Camp DC
Logo for sponsor World IA Day
Community sponsor
World IA Day

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