Arizona UPA Observes World Usability Day - Thursday, November 11, 2010

Sponsored by the Apollo Group’s User Experience Team

info@arizonaupa.org The User Experience Team at Apollo Group will host AZUPA’s World Usability Day Event. The Arizona chapter of Usability Professionals’ Association (AZUPA) is proud to bring you an exciting, jam-packed meeting highlighting this year’s theme—Communication: How products and services impact communication. We are fortunate to have a cross-section of industries represented by our featured speakers who will talk about the challenges of global corporate communication, the future of game mechanics and keeping users interested and involved, and enhancing online learning environments with social networking. Not currently a member of the UPA? No problem - non-members are invited to attend our event. Also, you will have the opportunity to join the UPA at a discounted WUD 2010 rate. Details about this membership discount promotion will be provided at the meeting.  RSVP now and join us for the event! Agenda 6:00  p.m. – Social Mixer* (light appetizers and beverages will be served) 6:30 p.m.– Presentation 1 7:00 p.m. – Presentation 2 7:45 p.m. – Demonstration 8:00 p.m. – Q&A 8:30 p.m. – Adjourn *Note: Light appetizers and beverages will be served thanks to our gracious hosts. Please respond as soon as possible so that AZUPA and our hosts can accommodate the appropriate number of attendees. Location Apollo User Experience Labs – 2nd Floor 1620 South Stapley Drive Mesa AZ 85204  View Map Presentation 1: Our Dilemma: Communicating to a Global Audience in Remote Locations with Limited Connectivity Linda Hayes and Ruthanne Gilbert of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. will co-present on the challenges of global corporate communication. Having a company intranet doesn’t mean your employee communication issues are solved. With a global audience that spans from the jungles of Indonesia to the Katanga Provence of the Democratic Republic of Congo to downtown Phoenix and many points in between, employee communications not only have to be creative in message but also in method. This is a continuous balancing act between “perfect world/ideal solutions” and “real world/business reality.” We’ll talk honestly about how our relationship with technology has both helped and hindered our communication efforts. About the Speakers: Linda Hayes, Director – Internal Communications Linda has been with the company for 23 years in various roles, including Logistics, Benefits, Human Resources Communications and most recently Internal Communications. This experience gives her the institutional knowledge needed to navigate a global organization with more than 30,000 employees. She has a B.S. degree in Business Management, with emphasis in Human Resources from Arizona State University. Ruthanne Gilbert, Manager– Print and Electronic Communications Ruthanne has been with the company for seven years, all within the corporate communications department. She spent more than 12 years working as a valley newspaper journalist and came to the company from Rural/Metro Fire Department where she served as Public Information Officer/Public Affairs Manager for close to five years. She has a B.S. degree in Journalism from Arizona State University. Presentation 2: Using Game Mechanics to Increase User Communication, Interaction and Loyalty Jen Walsh and Scott McAndrew from Terralever will co-present on the future of game mechanics and keeping users interested and involved. Being on the web isn’t just about providing great content anymore. With the huge social media movement, we’ve seen more and more sites allowing users to communicate with each other through social interactions and sharing. As we move though these evolving iterations and advances, we’re seeing an increased need to provide more. About the Speakers: Jen Walsh, User Experience Architect   Jen has been at Terralever since 2004 and leads the user experience planning process. As a user experience architect, Jen focuses on combining the project stakeholder's marketing, branding and business goals with usability, information architecture and interaction design industry standards, ensuring that the client's objectives are met and the end user's expectations are surpassed. She has provided her expertise to companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, Hat Club and Red Bull. Scott McAndrew, Director of Strategy   As Director of Strategy, Scott’s years of experience working with top brands across various industries is very apparent—he’s passionate about digital marketing and his incredible depth of knowledge proves it. Scott’s 20-year career encompasses the fundamentals of design, marketing and technology. He and his team oversee all upfront strategy and ongoing online marketing for clients, delivering results through both time-tested and innovative solutions.   Demonstration: Enhancing Online Learning Environments with Social Networking Songmei Han from Apollo Group’s User Experience Team will demonstrate two tools that have recently launch for the University of Phoenix and will speak about how these tools enhance online learning environments with social networking. The University of Phoenix added two modules (PhoenixConnect and Chat) to its online learning environment to facilitate communication among its students and faculty members. PhoenixConnect is a private, academic-focused social network serve the University of Phoenix community. Chat is an instant messaging tool that allows students and faculty members to communicate in real time in the online learning environment. About the Speaker: Songmei Han, Ph.D., User Experience Researcher - Product Management & User Experience

About World Usability Day http://www.worldusabilityday.org/ “World Usability Day was founded in 2005 as an initiative of the Usability Professionals' Association to ensure that services and products important to human life are easier to access and simpler to use. Each year, on the second Thursday of November, over 200 events are organized in over 43 countries around the world to raise awareness for the general public, and train professionals in the tools and issues central to good usability research, development and practice.” Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. is the world's largest publicly traded copper company with headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. The Company has a dynamic portfolio of operating, expansion and growth projects in the copper industry and is the world’s largest producer of molybdenum. The company’s portfolio of assets includes the Grasberg mining complex, the world’s largest copper and gold mine in terms of recoverable reserves, significant mining operations in the Americas, including the large- scale Morenci and Safford minerals districts in North America and the Cerro Verde and El Abra operations in South America, and the Tenke Fungurume minerals district in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Company has more than 30,000 employees worldwide. It can trace its roots back to 1834 with the founding of Phelps Dodge, which became part of Freeport-McMoRan in 2007.   Terralever was founded in 2002 on the philosophy that online initiatives, based on strategy and executed flawlessly, result in big returns—for brand growth and boosting the bottom line. We begin by developing a tailored strategy to help set brands apart so they can achieve their short and long-term goals. Terralever leverages our domain expertise to map out a path and elevate the brand to outperform its competition. By using the most innovative and effective means available, we deliver the message and drive measurable results. With a dedicated team of industry experts that are forward-thinking and passionate about all things digital, Terralever’s growth has been fueled by lasting relationships with clients small and large around the world. By providing ROI driven marketing through strategic thinking, world-class execution and genuine customer service, Terralever delivers every time. Just ask our clients. Apollo Group, Inc. was founded in 1973 in response to a gradual shift in higher education demographics from a student population dominated by youth to one in which approximately half the students are adults and over 80 percent of whom work full-time. Apollo's founder, John Sperling, believed -- and events proved him right -- that lifelong employment with a single employer would be replaced by lifelong learning and employment with a variety of employers. Lifelong learning requires an institution dedicated solely to the education of working adults. Today, Apollo Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, University of Phoenix, Apollo Global, College for Financial Planning, Institute for Professional Development, and Meritus University, has established itself as a leading provider of higher education programs for working adults by focusing on servicing the needs of the working adult.

Arizona UPA Meeting – Thursday, August 12, 2010

UPA Conference in Munich: Sponsored by the Apollo Group’s User Experience Team

RSVP Now!*

Apollo Group’s User Experience Team will host this month’s AZUPA meeting which will include a presentation and photo slideshow summarizing the UPA Conference that was held in Munich this past May.  

Summary highlights of sessions from the conference will include:

• Disruptive Technology – Google Wave
• Outsourcing Usability and Design to India
• Benefits of Eye Tracking Studies
• Facts and Myths about Usability Testing
• Recruiting Low Literacy Participants
• And more…

*Note: Light appetizers and beverages will be served thanks to our gracious hosts. Please respond as soon as possible so that AZUPA and our hosts can accommodate the appropriate number of attendees.

Agenda

6:30 PM – Social Mixer (light appetizers and beverages will be served)
7:00 PM – Presentation: UPA Conference in Munich
8:30 PM – Adjourn

Location

Apollo User Experience Labs – 2nd Floor
1620 South Stapley Drive
Mesa AZ 85204

View Larger Map

AZUPA Special Event - UX Lab Tour Sponsored by Apollo User Experience Labs on May 13

RSVP to info@arizonaupa.org NOW to ensure your spot on the guest list!

UX Lab Tour: May 13 6pm-9pm

This top tier, state of the art facility allows the team of the Apollo User Experience Labs to understand and improve the user experience of their software products for their students, faculty and staff.

The UX Lab includes:

• Tobii Eye Tracking Software
• Ovo Studios software to capture various behavioral data points
• Executive viewing conference room

If your organization is or is planning to implement a UX lab of its own, this is a golden opportunity to learn first-hand all the details involved in the process and to sneak-a-peak at some awesome technology.

Appetizers and beverages will be served thanks to our gracious hosts. Please respond as soon as possible so that AZUPA and our hosts can accommodate the appropriate number of attendees.

Agenda
6:00 pm Arrival and networking
6:30 pm *Lab Tours
9:00 pm Adjourn

*Tours may run in stages depending on the number of attendees.

 Location

Apollo User Experience Labs
Suite 200 (2nd Floor)
1620 South Stapley Drive
Mesa AZ 85204

Google Map

Mix it Up! IxDA Phoenix + AZUPA Invite You to Attend this Pre-IA Summit Event

IxDA Phoenix and the Arizona UPA are proud to co-sponsor a mixer at Hanny's downtown to kick off the IA Summit being held in Phoenix this year.

Hanny's is near the light rail and easily accessible for most professionals in the valley as well as those in town for the IA Summit.

Everyone is invited, members and non members alike, whether you have a profession in user experience or design or not.


The night's agenda will be casual and a way to network and socialize.

Please RSVP and hope to see you there!!

**Please note that payment of any drink and food items you purchase are your responsibility.

Arizona UPA Meeting – Thursday, February 11, 2010

Join us for the Arizona Usability Professionals Association (AZUPA) Chapter meeting on Thursday, February 11 from 6-8 p.m.

RSVP Now!*


Our invited guest for this meeting is Robert Hoekman who will be speaking on the topic of Web Anatomy Interaction Design Frameworks concept.

At the start of every web design project, the ongoing struggles reappear. We want to design highly usable and self-evident applications, but we also want to devise innovative, compelling, and exciting interactions that make waves in the market. Projects are more sophisticated than ever, but we have fewer resources with which to complete them. Requirements are fuzzy at best, but we’re expected to have everything done yesterday.
What we need is a reuse strategy, coupled with a pathway to innovation.

Web Anatomy delivers:

• A guide to using interaction design frameworks
• An examination of the psychology behind major frameworks
• A thorough look at how frameworks will change the way you work for the better
  

Agenda
6:00 pm Arrival and networking
6:30 pm Brief business meeting
7:00 pm Presentation - Invited Speaker
8:00 pm Adjourn

Meeting Location
The Art Institute of Phoenix
2233 West Dunlap Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona
Note: The meeting will be in room 456

Speaker Bio
Robert Hoekman, Jr, is a user experience specialist and author who has written dozens of articles and has worked with:

• Seth Godin (Squidoo)
• Adobe
• Automattic
• United Airlines
• DoTheRightThing.com, and others.
  

Robert has spoken at industry events all over the world, including:

• An Event Apart
• Web App Summit
• SXSW
• Future of Web Design, and many others.

Notable works:

• Amazon bestseller Designing the Obvious (Amazon bestseller)
• Designing the Moment
  
• Web Anatomy, (coauthored by Jared Spool)
  

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*This is a free event, but space is limited. Walk-in attendees are certainly welcome, but please RSVP so that we can ensure we provide the appropriate accommodations.

You do not need to be a member to attend. Feel free to come and check us out!!! Also, please feel free to spread the word to any interested colleagues.

Dr. Theo Mandel's "Golden Rules of Web Design"

Hello:
We have received quite a few requests for Theo's "Golden Rules of Web Design" presentation from our World Usability Day celebration. So, Theo has been kind enough to post the presentation for you to view. Enjoy!

www.slideshare.net/theomandel/mandel-keynote-user-experience-russia-october-25-2009

World Usability Day is Coming!

RSVP Now!

Please join us for a special event hosted by the Arizona Usability Professionals Association Chapter (AZUPA) and The Art Institute of Phoenix. The event is Thursday, November 12^th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Our speaker will be Dr. Theo Mandel. Theo will discuss “The (New) Golden Rules of Web Design” and present a recap of his recent experience as a keynote speaker at User eXperience Russia conference and UPA Europe 2009.

** Admission is FREE, but space is limited. Please RSVP to ensure we can provide adequate accommodations for all. **
** Food and Drink Provided **

Agenda
6:00 pm Arrival and networking
6:30 pm Brief UPA business meeting
7:00 pm Presentation
8:00 pm Adjourn

Location, Map, and Directions

The Art Institute of Phoenix

Cafe/Dining Room
2233 West Dunlap Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona

www.artinstitutes.edu/phoenix/AboutUs/Map_Directions.aspx

Speaker Bio

Theo Mandel, Ph.D. is the Director of Site Design and Usability at CoolHotNot.com as well as Founder and Principal Consultant at Interface Design and Development, LLC in Scottsdale. Theo is an international specialist in the design, development, education and usability testing of PC and Web software. Dr. Mandel designs technology- and business-based Web sites, Web applications and PC applications that are user-centered, task-oriented, enjoyable and usable.

He is the author of a number of publications and books, including The Elements of User Interface Design (John Wiley & Sons). His first book was The GUI-OOUI War: The Designer's Guide to Human-Computer Interfaces (John Wiley & Sons, 1994). He was also part of the Architecture team that wrote Object-Oriented Interface Design: IBM Common User Access Guidelines (QUE, 1999). Dr. Mandel received his Master's degree and Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Theo is an invited keynote speaker at the User eXperience Russia 2009 conference in Moscow in October. Theo is also the Vice President of the Arizona Chapter of the UPA.

About World Usability Day

What is World Usability Day?

It's about making our world work better.

It's about "Making Life Easy" and user friendly. Technology today is too hard to use. A cell phone should be as easy to access as a doorknob. In order to humanize a world that uses technology as an infrastructure for education, healthcare, transportation, government, communication, entertainment, work and other areas, we must develop these technologies in a way that serves people first…

World Usability Day was founded in 2005 as an initiative of the Usability Professionals' Association to ensure that services and products important to human life are easier to access and simpler to use. Each year, on the second Thursday of November, over 200 events are organized in over 43 countries around the world to raise awareness for the general public, and train professionals in the tools and issues central to good usability research, development and practice.

For more information: http://www.worldusabilityday.org/