Announcing DCampSouth 2007

Triangle UPA is excited to announce that planning has begun for DCampSouth 2007, an unconference for anyone interested in design and user experience.

When: June 2, 2007
Where: School of Communication Art, Raleigh NC

Learn more at the DCampSouth 2007 Wiki

In May 2006 I had the good fortune to attend DCamp at the SocialText headquarters in Palo Alto, CA.

Masterminded by Rashmi Sinha and Stacie Hibino, DCamp brought together over 150 people to talk about design, information architecture, usability, and user experience. It was a huge success. I learned a lot, met some really interesting people, and left feeling inspired.

At the end of the day it occurred to me that folks in Silicon Valley shouldn’t be having all the fun, so I stood up and announced that I hoped to bring the DCamp idea back home to Durham, NC. Well, it took a little while, but the time has come to make DCampSouth happen.

The goals of DCampSouth are simple.

1. Have fun
2. Meet interesting people
3. Learn a lot
4. Build the community

To achieve these goals we’re going to need CAMPERS, ORGANIZERS, SPONSORS, and most importantly… A LOCATION. Unconferences are democratic things, so we’re putting the call out to anyone interested to get involved.

• If you have a great location near RTP, or if you know of a great location, email me at jacksonfox@gmail.com.
• If you want to help make DCampSouth happen, email me at jacksonfox@gmail.com.
• If you want to be a sponsor of DCampSouth, email me at jacksonfox@gmail.com.
• If you want to attend DCampSouth, add your name to the DCampSouth wiki and sign-up for the DCampSouth Google Group to stay up-to-date.

We can’t set a date until we have a location, but we’re hoping to find a Saturday in May to hold the event.

To stay informed, you should watch the DCampSouth wiki, subscribe to the DCampSouth Google Group, and follow the TriUX weblog. In the mean time start thinking about how you want DCampSouth to work, and share your
ideas on the wiki.

We hope to see you at DCampSouth!

Updated: We have a date and location now!

April social event for TriUPA

Capstrat has generously offered to host the April social event for TriUPA.
Come out this Tuesday evening for drinks, snacks, and the good company of your fellow usability professionals.
Usability students graduating soon should take special note the benefits of being in a room full of potential future employers 😉

WHAT: TriUPA Social
WHEN: Tuesday, April 3 6-8 pm
WHERE: Capstrat

http://www.capstrat.com/cs/contact.cfm#map

1201 Edwards Mill Road
Suite 102
Raleigh , NC 27607
919.828-0806 (main number)

There are no special parking instructions.
The building locks at 7:00 , but may be open later for the event.
If it is locked when you arrive, please call the main number.

Capstrat will be providing beer, soda and snacks.

Interested? Please RSVP online by Monday, April 2nd.

(To RSVP, click “Register Now,” then log in if you are a TriUPA member, or enter your contact information if you aren’t a member).
Contact Abe Crystal, TriUPA President, or Virginia Ingram at Capstrat [vingram@capstrat.com], with any questions.

New Book: “Thoughts on Interaction Design”

Peter Warren, TriUPA VP of Membership, recommends this new book by Prof. Jon Kolko at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Thoughts on Interaction Design

It is the primary goal of this text to better define Interaction Design: to provide a definition that encompasses the intellectual facets of the field, the conceptual underpinnings of Interaction Design as a legitimate human-centered profession, and the particular methods used by practitioners in their day to day experiences. This definition and investigation centers around the issue of argument and rhetoric, and illustrates that Interaction Design is a form of communication that can be thought of as identical in nature to language. As Interaction Design is a vast subject, this text attempts to touch on many topics in a slight manner rather than one topic in a deep manner.

Presentation recap: Art Swanson on Windows Presentation Foundation

The first event in TriUPA’s 2007 program series was held Tuesday, 3/20/07 at GSK.  Art Swanson from Insight provided an introduction to Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), and Microsoft’s Blend application.

WPF is the user interface and graphics framework for applications developed with Microsoft’s .NET 3.0.  As Art demonstrated, Microsoft’s rethinking of this fundamental technology has led to some major advances for designers, and (potentially) for users.

WPF is based on XAML, a markup language for specifying user interfaces.  By moving user interface layout description into a markup language, Microsoft has achieved a high level of abstraction–something more often associated with HTML/CSS than desktop applications.  In essence, the “style” of desktop applications can now be specified by the designer separately from the underlying application code and logic. (Just as Web designers have been able to achieve dramatically different presentation styles by applying CSS to well-structured HTML–see CSS Zen Garden for examples).

This ability alone would be interesting, but hand-coding complex XAML for complex desktop applications might cause designers to quickly lose interest.  Microsoft’s Blend tool provides extensive visual design tools for building WPF interfaces.  Using Blend, designers can specify complex interactions, such as using a slider to control the size of another element of the interface, without any hand coding.  Even a brief demo of these tools was extremely compelling, so I’d suggest that anyone interested download the Blend trial from Microsoft’s site.  In particular, Blend could be extremely useful for rapid prototyping of interfaces to support usability testing or other UCD activities.

Thanks to Art for sharing his expertise on these important new technologies!

—Abe Crystal

Windows Presentation Foundation & Windows Vista

The first TriUPA event of 2007 is here!

Windows Presentation Foundation & Windows Vista

The release of Windows Vista and Microsoft Presentation Foundation
(WPF) provides designers with a powerful set of new tools for
developing Windows user experiences. Art Swanson will introduce us to
the possibilities afforded by Vista and WPF.

As an extra special bonus, we’re giving away free 1-year TriUPA
memberships to
new folks who attend the event!

Location: Ruvane Auditorium at GlaxoSmithKline (see directions below)
Date: March 20, 2007
Time: 6:30pm – 7:30pm

RSVP at TriUPA.org.

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Directions from Raleigh

* Take I-40 West to the Durham Freeway (147) North.
* Follow the Durham Freeway and take the Alexander Drive exit.
* Turn left off the exit and move to the right lane.
* Take a right into the GlaxoSmithKline campus at the 2nd stoplight (Moore Dr).
* Go to the fourth driveway and turn right, the sign will say Administration #1.
* Park in the parking deck, there is a walkway from the parking deck to Ruvane Auditorium.
* Sign in at the security desk, the event is held in the auditorium to the right of the lobby.

Directions from Durham

* Take the Durham Freeway (147) South to the Alexander Drive exit, and turn right off the exit (stoplight).
* Stay in the right turn lane and turn right at the next stoplight into GSK (Moore Dr).
* Go to the fourth driveway and turn right, the sign will say Administration #1.
* Park in the parking deck, there is a walkway from the parking deck to Ruvane Auditorium.
* Sign in at the security desk, the event is held in the auditorium to the right of the lobby.

Reminder: Good Experience Live Conference

Gel 2007, in New York City, April 19 – 20.  It’s one of the most acclaimed conferences around, with an array of innovative speakers that inform, but go way beyond, mainstream user experience work.  Register by March 20 for the best rate.

Job: Usability Analyst

BB&T seeks a Usability Analyst.  This position is based Raleigh, at the Highwoods Office Complex.  Contact Kate Boles [ksboles@bbandt.com] to apply.

Primary Purpose:
Works within the eBusiness function to identify and detail future areas of development that align with LOB and BB&T strategic objectives.  Provides information and analysis in support of department’s current activities.  Recommend and provide changes and  usability consulting for major content additions and applications accessible via http://www.bbt.com or the Intranet. 
   
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Following is a summary of the essential functions for this job.  Other duties may be performed, both major and minor, which are not mentioned below.  Specific activities may change from time to time.

1. Gathers data, researches, and analyzes client and potential client information to identify potential customer acquisition & retention strategies and potential revenue opportunities.
2. Obtains a clear understanding of the industry trends or identified user needs, defines strategies and advises LOB’s on how to utilize the Internet as a channel to potentially improve customer satisfaction while addressing new customer acquisition, customer retention, operational efficiencies, productivity enhancements, and potential revenue generating opportunities.
3. Identifies potential revenue opportunities for Lines of Business and formulates estimated return on investment calculations to access potential profitability of new market and channel opportunities.
4. Develops, prepares, and delivers written and verbal analysis and other relevant documentation, including tables and graphs, in an effort to communicate issues, insights and decision points for management and/or other key eBusiness team members. Evaluates/improves internal processes.
5. Conducts industry research to improve knowledge and awareness of basic Internet, Intranet, Extranet, and other technologies in the rapidly changing environment of financial services and e-business space and makes direct correlation to business needs.
6. Works on consulting engagements, conducting marketplace research and providing documented marketplace trends.
7. Fosters and maintains good relationships with lines of businesses to meet expected customer service levels.  Establishes, develops and maintains relationships with industry professionals within the eBusiness and technology space.
8. Executes and manages consulting projects (including vendor analysis, vendor management, requirements definition, specification documentation, developing deliverables and delivering results.)
9. Uses computer based databases, spreadsheets, graphics packages, and other software packages.
10. May train other analysts in techniques, statistics and computer use. May supervise the work of temporary employees.

Required Skills and Competencies:
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Bachelor’s or advanced degree in mathematics or applied quantitative field, or equivalent education and related training
2. Three to five years of work experience with PC-based economic modeling, and quantitative techniques, including website usability analysis and statistics or experimental design
3. Ability to perform complex and sophisticated analyses. Possess strong analytical, problem-solving, conceptual skills and an ability to function as a member of a team in a cross-functional environment
4. Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to express broad technical concepts in clear and concise business terms for interaction with all levels of management
5. Solid project management and coaching skills

Desired Skills and Competencies:

1. Experience with heuristic reviews and several research methodologies (usability testing, focus groups, card sorting)
2. Experience conducting statistical analysis on data resulting from usability tests.

Job: Jr. User Experience Designer

Jr. User Experience Designer, Capstrat
Temporary contractor: User Experience/Information Architecture

Capstrat is a mid-sized strategic communications firm based in Raleigh, NC. Capstrat’s service areas include media relations, interactive (Web), design, dynamic media, public relations, government relations, public affairs, and marketing communications.

Capstrat Interactive engages with clients on a variety of web-based projects including: 
 • Micro site development
 • Podcasting
 • New internet/intranet site design
 • Internet/intranet site redesign
 • Online Viral/Engagement marketing
 • Online dynamic media
 • Custom CMS (content management system) development
 • Content strategy and development
 • Online communities
 • Blog strategy/development
 • Usability testing

Capstrat is seeking a junior-level candidate to perform user experience (UX) and information architecture (IA) duties. This will be a three month contract position with possibility of extensions and/or full-time/permanent position.

The right person will be exposed to a number of client projects and variety of other Web design disciplines including search engine optimization (SEO), development/coding, visual design, and project management.

Specific responsibilities will include:

• Completing site map diagrams, content inventories and audits
• Participating in wireframing designs sessions and complete wireframes using MS Visio templates
• Assisting in the creation of usability test plans, test recruitment, analysis of results and test reports
• Assisting in the documentation and completion of functional specification documents

Candidates should have the following skills and abilities:

• Familiarity with MS Visio
• Experience with Web technology and familiarity with current design and development Web trends
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Interest in Web design process and working in a creative environment
• Ability to use MS Office products, including Excel

If interested, please submit a letter of interest and resume to: careers@capstrat.com

OR

Capstrat
Attn: Jr. UXD Position
1201 Edwards Mill Road
Raleigh, NC 27607

Motricity Seeks User Experience Designer

Motricity, Inc. is seeking a User Experience Designer to provide interaction and visual design for software and systems used by wireless carriers and brands to deliver content and applications to phones and other mobile devices. The UX Designer will work with carrier customers, product managers, client services and engineering to understand and address requirements and expectations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Works closely with business managers to design and architect user experiences for consumer mobile device-based and web-based storefronts and mobile portals.

• Collaborates with business stakeholders to develop and analyze software requirements to design an effective user experience
• Designs and creates user experience architecture diagrams (site maps, task flows) and wireframes
• Writes user interface specifications, detailing interaction design functionality
• Collaborates with visual designers and production engineers to ensure integrity of experience throughout design phases
• Works with product development and quality assurance to support implementation
• Assists in user research and usability testing of user interfaces.
• Contributes ideas for improving processes and deliverables.

Job Qualifications and Requirements

Essential:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline
Experience: 3-4 years of professional GUI and interaction design experience in an e-commerce or software development environment; experience designing for a wide range of interfaces (e.g., web, mobile, client software)
Knowledge: Strong knowledge of Microsoft Visio
Skills:

• Ability to think creatively within the boundaries of the company’s products
• Strong interaction design skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to evaluate customer needs and interpret software requirements to design effective solutions
• Exceptional critical-thinking and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment

Desired:

• Prior experience using Jesse James Garrett’s visual vocabulary for IA/IxD
• Familiarity with the software development lifecycle
• Proficiency in standards-compliant XHTML and CSS
• Prior experience designing mobile user experiences
• Prior usability testing experience

How to Apply:

Candidates should e-mail a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements and outlining interests and qualifications to csjobs@motricity.com . Please indicate User Experience Designer in the subject line.

Motricity is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE), with unwavering commitment to Affirmative Action (AA) for Minorities (M), Women (F), Individuals with Disabilities (D) and Veterans (V).

http://www.motricity.com