First Conference and Intensive Training on User-Centred Design
U2 Understanding Users
22 May 2008
Flemish Parliament, Hertogsstraat 6, 1000 Brussels
We all want our customers to be satisfied with our products. The process of creating a successful user experience requires empathy with the user, insight into the needs, wants and limitations of the end user and a willingness to be open to new solutions.
First Conference and intensive training on User-Centred Design in Brussels
U² will emphasise the importance of User-Centred Design and other cutting-edge methods and their applications for industry, as well as discuss practical tools for working User-Centred Design principles into product development and keeping them there.
The activities of this User-Centred Design Conference are geared towards fulfilling the needs of product developers, design and consumer researchers and practitioners, planners, marketing and branding strategists and other managers and executives interested in the latest advanced methods and approaches to User-Centred Design practice.
Programme
8:45 - 9:15
Registration and coffee
9:15 - 9:30
Welcome
Johan Valcke, Design Flanders and Maka De Lameillieure, Flanders InShape
Technical session
Session led by Ingrid Vandenhoudt, Design Flanders and Chris Baelus, Higher Institute of Integrated Product Development, University College of Antwerp
9:30 - 10:10
Prof. dr. Peter Vink, TNO and TU Delft
“Involving users in design: principles and good practice”
10:10 - 10:50
Anna Kirah, Kirah Consult & Future Alliance
“Mindset and Methodologies: Creating value through People-Centred Design and concept making”
10:50 - 11:05
Coffee break
11:05 - 11:45
Matthew White, design consultant
“Product Innovation through User-Centred Design”
11:45 - 12:20
Kristel Van Ael and Joannes Vandermeulen, Namahn
“Coming together: integrating UCD into current Industrial Design and Software Engineering practices”
12:20 - 13:00
Alexander Grots, IDEO
“Innovation begins with an eye!”
13:00 - 14:15
Lunch
Parallel interactive training and workshops
14:15 - 16:15
Workshop 1:
Justin Knecht, Centre for Design Innovation, Ireland
“DIY = Do - It - Yourself - A practical approach to understanding your users”
With a focus on SMEs.
Workshop 2:
Jan-Christoph Zoels and Mark Vanderbeeken, Experientia
“Ethnographic research, a design method to drive innovation”
Workshop 3:
Jürgen Oskamp and Tim Ruytjens, Achilles Associates
“Designing for Johnny”
Workshop 4:
Valerie L’heureux, Human Interface Group, Belgium
“Design Patterns, a Perfect Technique for User-Centred Design”
16:15 - 16:30
Coffee break
16:30 - 17:30
Conclusions from the workshops and interactive panel discussion led by Chris Baelus, Higher Institute of Integrated Product Development, University College of Antwerp
17:30 - 17:45
Closing words by Mrs Patricia Ceysens, Flemish Minister for Economy, Enterprise, Science, Innovation and Foreign Trade
17:45
Drinks and further networking
