Author: Michigan UXPA

WorkForce Software, 38705 Seven Mile Road, Suite 300, Livonia, MI 48152

Tuesday, June 19, 6pm

As the profession of User Experience Design has evolved it has become more specialized, more effective, and more complicated. This complexity has made it more difficult for designers to communicate with those outside of their discipline. Using examples pulled straight from the business world, Patrick talks about how to bridge that gap and effectively communicate the value of design in a language that project stakeholders and business owners can understand. By repurposing a ‘revolutionary’ strategic business tool, Porter’s Five Forces, he also provides designers with a framework for better understanding the business landscape and making an impact on the bottom line.

About Our Speaker

Patrick Purdy is a User Experience Designer at United Healthcare in Southfield, Michigan. As a UX professional, Patrick has performed research, crafted strategy, and designed web and mobile experiences for clients including Microsoft, Johnson Controls, University of Michigan, Carhartt, Sports Authority, Scotts Miracle Grow, Bosch, and Learning Care Group.

Prior to his work in User Experience, Patrick worked as an Art Director in the advertising industry creating television, online, and print campaigns for national and international brands such as Ford Motor Company, Mercedes-Benz, Avis Europe, Leinenkugel’s, Miller, BOSS, Culvers, Sargento, Mercury Marine, and The Chicago Bulls.

Patrick got his BFA at the College for Creative Studies and an MS at Carnegie Mellon University. In his free time, Patrick likes to play soccer, drink beer, and tell stories that will make you laugh ‘till you cry.

When

Tuesday, June 19
6:00 PM — Networking
6:45 PM — Announcements
7:00 PM — Speaker
8:30 PM — Wrap up and more networking

Location

WorkForce Software, Livonia

Google Map

Cost

Current students $5
Usability Professionals’ Association members $10
All others $20

Register

Register online at Guestlist so we know who’s coming and how to plan for refreshments. We’ll also take payment (cash or check) at the door. Questions? Email events {at} michiganupa dot org.

Pure Visibility, 201 S. Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Wednesday, April 25th, 6pm

Usually the last system to be implemented, but many times the most important lifeline for the customer, is the software help system.

Ideally, your software system is perfectly understandable and problem-free from lots of user testing and software iteration, but that’s usually not the case. Your customers may get frustrated and leave the site, and may even complain about their crappy experience to others. Providing your customers with effective Help is the last chance you have to turn a frustrating experience into a meaningful one.

As a User Experience professional, what Help strategies should you consider? What content do you need? How do you find an appropriate Help Authoring Tool for your software product? There are many vendor systems out there that offer many features. What do you really need? Attendees will learn about help system considerations such as: how to connect the help system to your software, content management features, content strategy, localization, statistics, and more, which will assist you in finding a solution that helps your frustrated customers become happy customers.

About Our Speaker

Elaine Meyer is a User Experience Specialist at ProQuest, an electronic and microfilm publisher in Ann Arbor, Michigan. With over 4 years experience managing, implementing, and producing content for user assistance systems, she has a good grasp on where and when users might need a little extra help. Elaine has implemented the ProQuest platform software user assistance (Help) system from it’s infancy, customized it to suit the platform, populated it with content, and localized that content into 18 other languages.

Before her role at ProQuest, Elaine was an application engineer for a manufacturing company. In her role, she made it her mission to provide pertinent information for her customers 24 hours a day through implementing and populating content for an online FAQ user assistance system.

Elaine earned her MSI degree in human-computer interaction (HCI) and Library and Information Services (LIS) from the University of Michigan School of Information in 2009, and is an avid cyclist, dog walker and veggie enthusiast.

When

Wednesday, April 25th
6:00 PM — Networking
6:45 PM — Announcements
7:00 PM — Speaker
8:30 PM — Wrap up and more networking

Location

Pure Visibility, Ann Arbor

Google Map

Parking is available nearby, including the Fourth & Washington parking structure.

Cost

Current students $5
Usability Professionals’ Association members $10
All others $20

Register

Register online at Guestlist so we know who’s coming and how to plan for refreshments. We’ll also take payment (cash or check) at the door. Questions? Email events {at} michiganupa dot org.