Interaction Design Update

(and thanks, Zemanta, for F#$*ing this up!)

We had a nice visit last week from the local IxDA group -- and saw some great talks and presentations from Interaction '09 including keynote Robert Fabricant. Visit the IxDA library site for that and more as they're released.

Robert Fabricant - Behavior is our Medium
Sun, 03/15/2009 - 17:05 — Nasir Barday
Robert Fabricant talks about Interaction Design as a practice beyond just computing technology. He gives examples of Interaction Design as far back as ancient history, all the way to a humanitarian project underway today. He shows that Interaction Design's primary medium is behavior, extending far past the high technology world into the realm of human behavior and relationships.

Want to know more about the Interaction Design Association and their annual conference? You might check out the following from Interaction '08:


Interaction '08 Recap Video from Interaction Design Association on Vimeo.

Ecotone & IxDA up Next!

First of all, Ecotone is tonight (Friday) and Saturday here at ARTS Lab (more info below). Second, we're pleased to welcome the NM chapter of IxDA this coming Tuesday...

What's IxDA?
IxDA is the Interaction Design Association, a network dedicated to the professional practice of Interaction Design. They believe that the human condition is increasingly challenged by poor experiences. IxDA intends to improve the human condition by advancing the discipline of Interaction Design.

The IxDA New Mexico chapter will meet here at ARTS Lab next Thursday to review IxDA Interaction 09 (recently held in Vancouver) with some cool highlight videos and more

WHAT: NM IxDA Meeting

WHEN: Tuesday, March 17th; 6:00 PM

WHERE: ARTS Lab Garage, 131 Pine NE, one block west of University and one block north of Central

HOW MUCH: FREE

But... starting tonight,

Ecotone Physical Theatre performs "Falling Apart - An Evening in Three Acts"
We at the ARTS Lab are very pleased to welcome back Ecotone Physical Theatre Company!

WHAT: Ecotone Physical Theatre performs "Falling Apart - An Evening in Three Acts"

WHEN: Friday and Saturday, March 13-14, 8pm

WHERE: ARTS Lab Garage, 131 Pine NE, one block west of University and one block north of Central

HOW MUCH: $10 at the door only. Seating is limited.

Ecotone Physical Theatre is pleased to announce two performances only, March 13-14 at the ARTS Lab Garage. The ARTS Lab Garage is located near the main campus of the University of New Mexico, and co-located with UNM's High Performance Computing Center. It is a research center for investigations into the connections between the arts, technology and science.

Veering from the abstract to the comic, "Falling Apart - An Evening in Three Acts" is a fully improvised work. It is the framework in which the performers invent character, gesture, movement, dialogue in response to the environment and to each other. The performances will
feature collaborations with students in 3D Design, Video and Computer Animation, who will work to create environments for performers. The performances will also feature collaborations with UNM dance students.

Ecotone Physical Theatre is an Albuquerque-based performance ensemble of dancers, actors and musicians who mine the rich veins of improvisation: sonic, kinesthetic, textual, visual. Each performance is unique, a blend of slapstick dramedy, angular sound and gesture, rife with potential for hap and mishap. Ecotone Physical Theatre makes extensive use of computers, video and digital technology, random props and costumery, and a variety of dance techniques. The company was formed in the spring of 2006 when Jewell and Company Dance Theatre joined forces with the experimental music group Incus to collaborate on a series of improvised performances called Ecotone. The collaboration was so fruitful and well received, they decided to merge, taking the name of the performance as the name of the company. Its members are directors Donna Jewell and Kevin Paul with Lisa Nevada, Jessica Searer, Bill Clark, Mary Margaret Moore, Susan Skeele, Rufus Cohen, along with costume designer Stacia Smith.

New local UX Group Meet-up Next Thursday

Building our local networks and connections between them is, we believe, a key part of growing our local creative media community. And this one is particularly fun -- please check it out.

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USER EXPERIENCE (UX) SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP -- IxDA LOCAL PRELIMINARY MEETING

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Are you an avid reader of IxDA mail list? Or do you design the behavior of digital products, websites, applications and software? Or are you an Interaction Designer, User Experience Designer or Information Architect? Or do you call yourself something else like Usability Engineer or UI Designer? Maybe you don't have a fancy title, but are totally into user experience and interaction design?
If so join us for the inaugural meet-up of the IxDA New Mexico Local Group.

We're meeting at Savoy Bar and Grill at 10601 Montgomery Blvd NE in Albuquerque (we'll be in the bar) for an initial meet and greet at 5:30pm on November 19th.

Come meet with other UX Professionals to chat about all things UX and to discuss building a local IxDA community here in New Mexico.

The IxDA (Interaction Designers Association) is a member-supported organization committed to serving the needs of the international interaction design community. With more than 5,000 members since 2004 IxDA hosts a vibrant online community. To find out more about IxDA go to: www.ixda.org

For more information about the IxDA New Mexico Local Group contact
kevin at clearwired dot com.

NMITSA Lunch: Kevin Silver on User Experience Design

I'm particularly excited about this announcement. Kevin is a real star in the world of interaction and user-centered design working here in Albuquerque with Clearwired. He's a nice guy too, with a passion for user-centered design that's infectious.

What is User-Centered Design -- or User Experience? Why is it important to us here in New Mexico or anyone making a product or service they want consumers to use?

Is Apple doing pretty well?

I could try to explain, but... I encourage you to come to the next NMITSA lunch and hear from a real expert.
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NMITSA is pleased to announce that Kevin Silver will be our featured guest at the upcoming June membership luncheon on June 19th from 11:30 am until 1:00pm at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Albuquerque. Kevin will be speaking on User Experience Design.
Tickets for this luncheon are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here. Registration for NMITSA members is $25, for non-members it is $40. We look forward to seeing you all on the 19th!

Kevin is an empathetic champion of users and a strong proponent of user-centered design. He strives to design digital products that are simple, elegant, and easy to use. Involved in desktop application design and development since 1995, he started tinkering with HTML in the late 90s-just in time for the flurry of growth on the Web before the big .com bust. Kevin has worked on a diverse range of projects, including designing applications for Indian Health Services (a federal agency), Envision Utility Software, University of New Mexico, Anchor Computer, the United States Air Force, and Web sites for Norwegian Cruise Lines, Dr. Martens, Buck Knives, Museum of the African Diaspora, and Adobe, to name a few. One thing Kevin has learned through all of these engagements is that satisfying the needs and goals of users is central to a successful experience.