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SXSW Day 3 – Wrap Up

uidesigner — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:27:02 +0000

Wow, day 3 was incredible. Two of the panels were fantastic. One was beyond fantastic. Of course, if you were at the conference you know I”m talking about the panel “UX team of one.”

A UX Team of One by Leah Buley of Adaptive Path

This is a definite do not miss podcast when it becomes available (usually on SXSW site later in week). The panel was more like a passion driven aria, an emotional speech empowered by the frustrations of a single team UX people. There were ideas, examples, Lots of examples, and templates for people to gather and use. There were so many ideas that one could practically use such as: 6 Up Templates, Spectrums, 2×2 grids.

First check out the slide share presentation: Slideshare UG Leah. Then head of to my notes where you can see in a rough state over here: UX Team of One UI Design Guide Idea Tree.

At the end of this presentation there were non-stop applause. I have a series of pictures from this panel I’ll post on flickr.

Just to talk a little bit more about this presentation. It was the best and most valuable one I have heard in 3 years of SXSW. Now let’s take a look at all of the rest of the panels I attended.

Journey To The Center of User Centered Design by Jared Spool

I was a bit disappointed with this presentation. I like a lot of Jared’s ideas but we didn’t get to the real meat of the whole topic until the end. I literally mean the last 3 months. There were some valuable incites in this presentation about brand analysis, but there wasn’t much you could take away and “practice.” In the end that is what made it less memorable. Most people are at SXSW to get some methods they can take back with them try out, practice, and perfect.

When Worlds Collide

This conversation based presentation was all about UI design cycles and AGILE. I made a few points during the conversation, but I think these tend to go off in so many directions the structure can be a bit overwhelming. As a moderator I think it would be more helpful as people list ideas to write them on the board, and then get more feedback about an idea and move on to the next. By doing this you have a lot more practical examples written down that you can take home with adopt, use, and misuse.

These types of panels are so fast paced it is just really hard to get your head wrapped around all of the information.

CSS 3

What can I say about this one? The panel was full so no one could get in. Instead there was a line of 20 – 30 people sitting on the outside trying to get in and waiting in line. I know a little about CSS 3 to get started so I offered the people in line a chance to look at some tutorials and start a discussion. Only 1 person took me up on the offer. It was sad, because people really wanted to just stand in the line and not talk about the very thing inside. The panelists were from Opera, Microsoft, etc. It would have been nice to get inside, but there are other people that have lots of valuable information to offer all over the conference. I also make an effort to impart, and share knowledge. It’s the primary purpose of this blog. People looked at me like I was crazy. I had the CSS 3 info right up on my computer and was walking them through what I knew so far. Besides the presentation would be up online.

Rant mode on. What harm would there be in learning about things in the line? Crazy huh? The thought about panels is if you are panelist you are an expert. I know for a fact are many people around the conference that are no panelists but have years and years of experience. The whole point about SXSW is self-empowerment. Sad that this can only be accomplished through attending a panel laden with corporate entities.

How Would MacGyver Do Design

This panel was also a conversation panel. There were some good tips, and definitely some good tools provided. You can check out some of my notes here. There were several good tips, I noted. Also he spoke about 7 Heuristics. I covered a little bit about this in one of my earlier articles. Though, I distilled them down to 5. The conversation was quite lively in here and I really felt that someone needs to write this stuff down on the board. It helps a conversation if people can see the talking points.

In Closing

This was by far the best day at conference. There are still several panels to come. I wanted to give a little bit more information about each of these panels to try and give the readers out there a better view of SXSW interactive. As promised below are the pics of the day.

Also as a teaser after SXSW the fun doesn’t stop. I have many articles I’m working on. So be sure to check back, register, add me to your rss reader, and tell some friends.

SXSW Day 3 Pictures

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7264410@N04/sets/72157615307831931/

SXSW 2009 – Day 2

uidesigner — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 14:00:16 +0000

Last night was my little get together of UI Designers. It was smaller than I had hoped but there was still a lot of interesting conversation. This morning I was working in the hall when I stopped Robert Hoekman to say hi. I figure I should, since in about 1 hour I’m heading off to his panel at the Hilton “The 7 Rules of Great Wep Application Design. It should be a great presentation.

The day is jam packed full of events and panels. My goal is to meet 20 – 30 new people today and pass out the business cards. And to interrupt the thought process. A guy just passed me at the hall and saw my delicious McDonald’s breakfast and was like “Where is the McDonald’s?” Of course, it’s about 6 miles from here. I guess the convention center likes to corner the market on food.

And back to the original thought. I need to meet around 20 people today. It’s the whole purpose for being here. I just wish the weather was warmer it makes meeting people so much easier. I may have to do more hall stops and say hi!

I uploaded some pictures to flickr.

Enjoy The SXSW 2009 Pictures

Change In Plans

So I decided it would be more beneficial to attend “Making Web Widgest Accesible” panel. You can follow my conversation and my ideas and notes as I type them in the design forum

Day 2 Wrap Up

Day 2 was busy. The best panel by far of the day was about designer & programmer differences. It was a great banter back and forth of ideas. We spoke about successful teams, team dynamics and a ton more. I will probably do an article on this later.

I also went to the PSB Party. It was nothing like it was last year. This was at a small bar with 2 drink tickets and no food. It was sad, but kinda of expected in this economy. I left the party early and went to see Boag’s live podcast from Boag World. Afterwards I went up spoke for a bit, told him how great the podcasts were and plugged my site. If you run into him around SXSW he is extremely nice and really cares about his fan base. I’ll be contacting him later to talk about some agile UI podcasts.

After Boag it was off to the Frog Design Party at the mexican cultural center. It was a great even this year and I took lots of pictures. I met many interesting people and then walked back because it was getting cold!

Once again check out the link for more great photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7264410@N04/

SXSW 2009 – Has Begun!

uidesigner — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 21:16:26 +0000

Well I arrived here after drivine 4 hours through some really crappy weather. Then I could not find parking close to the convention center, and then the line. The line was about 3 times longer than last year.

I’m in the DAY stage cafe listening to the Author of Principles of Beautiful design. He seems to be a very nervous speaker, yet knowledgable. It’s the only thing I was able to attend today because of the traffic and the 60 minute wait in the line.

It’s the question and answer session. I must admit I’m not into a full learning mode yet. I have to get my brain and rest of my body wired for the crazyness. I’m sure it will kick in soon enough.

In about 5 hours my design gather begins. I am super excited. 30 some people said they will be coming. I feel like I should prepare a speech. (But I won’t).

SXSW Interactive 2009 – Let The Flow of Information Begin!

uidesigner — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 03:18:20 +0000

SXSW is nearly upon us. This year I plan to keep track of my ideas, brainstorms, visions, goals, and whatever else pops into my head over on my discussion forums. You can feel free to read or submit ideas or even keep track of your own. Trust me if you don’t write an idea down quick you will loose it! Here are some ways you can keep a tab on things going through my head while at SXSW

Keeping Tabs On SXSW Activty.

Design Forums (Ideas, Brainstorming): http://www.uidesignguide.com/design_forum/?CategoryID=4
Twitter: http://twitter.com/uidesignguide

SXSW 2009 Interactive – Survival Guide & Tips

uidesigner — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 02:18:19 +0000

This will be my 3rd year attending SXW and every year is different experience. There is just so much information to gain you will be exhausted. If you aren’t exhausted. You are doing something wrong. Here are some tips I put together to prepare you before heading out to the event. If you find any of these helpfull drop me a note or say hi at the event. I will not bite. I may talk your leg off for a few hours!

SXSW Survival Tips

You will be waiting in line for a good 30 minutes + to get your badge on the first day! Arriving early won’t help that much.
Be sure to pick up your “GOODY BAG” but have some place to drop it off (Car, etc) It is HEAVY!
Walk up to anybody and everybody and say hi! This is especially true when you are waiting in line.
Sit next to people in the panel discussions. You are going to have to anyways because they usually fill up. Say hello and introduce yourself.
Exchange business cards at every possible chance
Bring a jacket. Some places like the larger keynote speaker areas get cold
Lunch is a crazy time and restaurants fill up quick. You may be late for an important panel if you don’t plan accordingly.
Bring snacks!
IF you have a laptop bring a powerstrip. I will be bringing one with me this year because everyone wants to plugin and there are never enough spots. What better opener could there be to break the ice then the gift of POWER. If someone plugs on your power strip introduce yourself and say hi!
Attend the mixer events hosted by the companies. Go to ones where the music is not too loud. Your whole goal is to chat and make friends and it’s hard to do that with music.
Try and find people in your field talk, chat, share ideas, put together a lunch meeting
If a panel is full and you can’t get in. Start the panel discussion outside with those who are waiting to get in. You would be surprised the amount of knowledge and ideas that flow in the hallway. It is extremely exciting. One year, we simply started a conversation about the topic in the panel that became so much fun we didn’t even enter the panel when there was space.
If you have to park it’s going to run you about $10.00 a day
Traffic is busy around the convention center on WORK days. Be sure to leave room for rush hour driving – Even if you are 3 minutes from the convention center.
Bring a PDA that has a built-in map and GPS it will help you find restaurants and the sfter parties quicker!
If you really need to get into a party (GOOGLE, FROG DESIGN) etc. Be prepared to wait in line. If you want to sample some cuisine get there fast. Food tends to go pretty quick.
For most places you can simply walk around. You shouldn’t need to take a cab around the venue.
Last year the PBS party was absolutely AMAZING. The music at the awesome Austin City Limits stage and food and drink was incredible. I stayed for hours. You will have to catch one of the shuttles going to the events that are outside the convention center area. Last year the shuttles left from the HILTON. They run till about 12:00 p.m. don’t get stuck!
Bring hand sanitizer. Trust me on this one you will shake 100’s of hands a day and it just helps keep everyone healthy
Bring cough drops or throat lozenges, and lots of water. You will get a dry throat talking to hundreds of people. This is especially true in the after events.
Do not stay out too late at the parties – they can wear you down. Some parties go till 2 in the morning or later and you won’t be very receptive to early morning panels if you are hung-over, tired, or just not awake.
If a panel is just boring get up and go somewhere else. There are usually 3 -4 panels going on at the same time. If you are embarrassed to get up and leave then join the interactive chat rooms. You can hear about things going on in other panels and find another place to go.
Turn on twitter be warned you will be flooded with messages, be sure to turn on your SMS messages for SXSW so you will know if your class has changed rooms etc. Classes can sometimes fill up quick and the SXSW team will do on the spot room changes to account for this.
Watch your belongings at all times. Just be aware of your stuff. Last year there was about 5,000 people in attendance.
After a panel is over INTRODUCE yourself to panel members that you found awesome. Give your card, your name, and some short information about yourself. They want to hear from you and are excited to know that you loved the panel.
Take notes – if you get a great idea write it down. Trust me you will lose track of that idea so fast in all the commotion.
The WI-FI is free but usually sucks. You will have spotty connection and it may be tricky to get a good connection. This is especially true when you are in some of the larger keynotes that span multiple rooms. Try to stay in the central area of the convention center to get the best signal.
Attend the WEBBY awards! It is a fun event that takes place across the street at the HILTON. Last year I had the honor to sit with some friends I met at SXSW that were nominees. It’s inspiring. Also there usually free food before the event.
Collect materials - There are tons and tons of posters, design ideas, etc. Collect them and add them to your idea bag. Some of the world’s best and talented designers are at SXSW.
Visit the trade show. Talk to people there and pickup the freebies!
Arrive early to your favorite panels to get the up front seats
Try to avoid panels that just preach to you. The interactive are the best. Not all presenters are awesome.

Above all things talk to people and explore the venue. The next person could be super awesome cool. You may discover ideas you never even dreamed. As I mentioned before this blog came about because of my own passion inspired by SXSW. So when you get there look around and become immersed in the atmosphere. The whole time you are in Austin it’s like one great big high being around some of the greatest minds in the industry from around the world!

SXSW Interactive 2009 – Pre-attendance Plans – and Survival Tips

uidesigner — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 20:16:04 +0000

In about 2 weeks I will be heading off to SXSW Interactive. I look forward to meeting and talking to lots of exciting people in the industry. I am also going to try and pull together a UI designer meetup group. Last year only a few people were able to get together. I hope this year we can get a lot more!

While at SXSW I hope to blog about the classes I’m attending and many other items of interest. I can only hope the network is capable of sustaining 5000+ people all in one small area using every last spec of bandwidth. Last year and the year before it died. Here’s to wishful thinking

Here are a list of the panels I plan on attending (subject to change): If you are at SXSW and don’t see anything panels you like at a particular time be sure to check out the “DAY STAGE” Cafe. There are usually book readings, and other great conversations going on. Since they are a smaller format you can get a lot of face time with the author and ask some questions etc.

Friday, March 13

My Boss Doesn’t Get It: Championing Social Media to the Man
Try Making Yourself More Interesting
Book Reading: Career Renegade: How To Make A Great Living Doing What You Love

Saturday, March 14

TBA · Boagworld Live Show Spectacular!
The 7 Rules for Great Web Application Design
Making Web Widgets Accessible: Tools and Techniques
Opening Remarks
Profit By Mobilizing Your Online Community or Marketplace

For anyone that may be so inclined here is the rest of my busy schedule.

http://my.sxsw.com/events/my_schedule_feed.rss?id=24065&syndication_token=d45fb037949018f34ddcd45643559509