uxplosion! inspirations from the thriving london ux events scene
DESCRIPTION
This is a collection of thoughts from my own experience with UX events in London, with some inspiration from blog posts from Martin Belam and Matthew Solle who run events out of London IA.TRANSCRIPT
UXPLOSION!Inspirations from the thriving London UX Events Scene
Boon Yew Chew (@boonych)Encampment 2011
UX events – what’s the deal?
How did this happen?Is it just a fad?
Will it run out of steam?What’s in it for people?
What can we learn from this?
Who am I?
UX event junkie ::
Information architect / UX designer in adlandChanged careers from Dev to UX
Organises, volunteers, attends & promotes UX eventsInvolved with UX events since 2008
Others:: London IA, UX field trips, Start UX,…
Some facts
UX is not overtaking the worldHigh concentration of UX events in
LondonIt’s not *just* the UPA or London IA
It’s not all free
Types of UX events (UK)
Presentation-based• London IA• UK UPA• The Research Thing• Lightning UX• Agile UX
Activity-based• UXDO• UX sketch club• UX field trip• UX retreat• UX bootcamp• Design Jam• Global service jam
Types of UX events (cont’)
Discussion-based• UX book club• Start UX• UX show and tell
Socials• IA at the pub• UK UPA picnic• South London UX
picnic
Conferences• UX London• UX People• UXCampLondon• CS Forum• London IA mini
conference
VarietyInspiration #1
http://www.kickerstudio.com/blog/2008/12/the-disciplines-of-user-experience/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/formforce/3663684287/
The best advice (the only advice) in a community is “don’t complain, do”. Get out there… and start organising stuff.
The audience has grown and the interest is there. The UX community needs variety and we can give it to them.
Martin Belam, London IA
http://youtheuser.com/2011/03/10/ux-communities-starting-from-the-beginning-3/
BalanceInspiration #2
Keeping it healthy
Low signal to noise ratioStrong core group
Interested outsidersFocused on needs
MomentumInspiration #3
Scarcity is good
Events are usually kept fairly intimate.People who really want it chase for
tickets.Otherwise, wait for the next round.
If not, roll your own event.
Rinse and repeat.
Small venues, intimate events
Less demandingCheaper
More predictable
…and more popular!http://www.currybet.net/cbet_blog/2011/03/ux-communities-debate-
4.php
AutonomyInspiration #4
A bit of help goes a long way
Most events run by individuals or small groupsMany event “veterans” who generously offer advice
People start following others’ footstepsThen encourage others to do so
There is no official network
It frees people to do what they feel is rightCome and go as you please
Conversations across multiple channelsLowest common denominator
CommunityInspiration #5
There is no right way
Just get up and do it.
Thanks!
#1 Variety#2 Balance
#3 Momentum#4 Autonomy
#5 Community
This talk was inspired by @solle and @currybet http://youtheuser.com/2011/03/07/ux-communities-starting-from-the-beginning/