2011NortheastDistrictConferenceh

Because some speakers are still finalizing and polishing their presentations, we will add their presentation information on a continuing basis as it is received. Please check back often for the latest updates.

Designing in a complex world for the way people actually think, live and move presents a lot of challenges. Interaction designers, user-centered designers and a host of others work to bridge the gap between objects and people. Speakers will address the challenges and how they overcame them to DESIGN4 HUMANS.

Friday, April 8: 2:45-4:15 PM

• User Experiences in a Digital—Physical World
  The convergence of the digital with the physical is rapidly accelerating in today’s multi-device, multi-media world. Our interactions with each other, our devices and our surrounding environments are increasingly impacting the way we work, live and play. Therefore, consideration of the broader context in which users interact—from the input device to the physical environment—is playing a more central role in designing experiences than ever before. What does it mean when the digital and physical converge? How can we design experiences that understand and take advantage of the cross-section of digital and physical? Where are the opportunities to impact behavior?  This talk will examine the history and current state of user experience design considering these questions.
  Catherine Nygaard, director, UX and  Claudia Bernett, user experience lead, Method 

• Redefining Patient Safety and Hospital Workflow With Human-Centered Solutions
  Hundreds of skilled professionals, highly sophisticated systems, life in the balance.
  Today’s hospitals are highly charged, high performing environments where challenges cannot be captured by linear flow charts. Prescriptive solutions are not enough in solving for the dynamic challenges of health care delivery. This presentation discusses how care providers interact with their tools, environment, each other, and most importantly, with their patients to uncover what data doesn’t disclose and what staff can’t articulate.  Design researchers, industrial designers and human factors specialists gather insights, generate ideas and implement solutions to offer safer care with better outcomes.
  Kristin Simoens, director of healthcare delivery solutions and Margaux Boyaval, program director, Ximedica

• Thinking About Sex: Tips and Tricks
  When designing for women, we know “Shrink it and Pink it” isn’t the answer. So how do we change what we do as designers to better solve for gender differences? Smart Design’s Femme Den has been at the forefront in bringing awareness to gender-specific issues for our clients and the industry at large.  Now, join Femme Den founder Erica Eden and senior design strategist Nathaniel Giraitis in a conversation around specific strategies and processes to best leverage the power of gender in design.
  Erica Eden, senior industrial designer and Nathaniel Giraitis, senior design strategist, Smart Design

2011 IDSA Northeast Conference