Demand for interaction designers is growing — even during the recession. Additionally, technology is evolving at a phenomenal pace from touch screens to cloud computing to sensors. And all types of companies and industries — from software to mobile to retail to entertainment — are looking for ways to enhance the user experience of their products and services. This demand for interaction designers, evolution of technology, and changes to the market are outpacing the educator’s ability to stay relevant to students. Design educators who are focused on teaching static graphics and pure three dimensional form are becoming less relevant to technology companies. Educators who focus on experiences over form will remain relevant.
This talk is for the student, educator, or professional who is struggling to keep pace with the changes in technology. Specific topics include:
* What high tech companies are looking for in entry level employees
* What IXDA and educators can do to help design students
* Five principles that educators and organizations like the IXDA can adopt to shift focus from design to experience.
Biography
Ken, design director at Artefact, started his career as a designer for MSN and Microsoft Works but quickly assumed a leadership position on user experience teams for Microsoft products such as hardware, Works Suite, and Encarta. He also set design and research standards and practices for the entire company to help other teams at Microsoft create products and services that people love.
He has also gathered an impressive collection of awards, including the Business Week IDEA award, Design Zentrum Red Dot, and ID Magazine Annual Design Review, to name just a few. He parlays his experience into helping others by teaching design courses at Seattle University and his alma mater, the University of Washington.
Discussions
Is technology killing design education?
Session Title
Is technology killing design education?
Presenter
Ken Fry, Artefact
Session Type: Discussion
Demand for interaction designers is growing — even during the recession. Additionally, technology is evolving at a phenomenal pace from touch screens to cloud computing to sensors. And all types of companies and industries — from software to mobile to retail to entertainment — are looking for ways to enhance the user experience of their products and services. This demand for interaction designers, evolution of technology, and changes to the market are outpacing the educator’s ability to stay relevant to students. Design educators who are focused on teaching static graphics and pure three dimensional form are becoming less relevant to technology companies. Educators who focus on experiences over form will remain relevant.
This talk is for the student, educator, or professional who is struggling to keep pace with the changes in technology. Specific topics include:
* What high tech companies are looking for in entry level employees
* What IXDA and educators can do to help design students
* Five principles that educators and organizations like the IXDA can adopt to shift focus from design to experience.
Biography
Ken, design director at Artefact, started his career as a designer for MSN and Microsoft Works but quickly assumed a leadership position on user experience teams for Microsoft products such as hardware, Works Suite, and Encarta. He also set design and research standards and practices for the entire company to help other teams at Microsoft create products and services that people love.
He has also gathered an impressive collection of awards, including the Business Week IDEA award, Design Zentrum Red Dot, and ID Magazine Annual Design Review, to name just a few. He parlays his experience into helping others by teaching design courses at Seattle University and his alma mater, the University of Washington.