How User-Centered Design Drives Sustainability and Sustainable Living Idea Round-up

A 2009 World Usability Day Event: Designing for a Sustainable World

How User-Centered Design Drives Sustainability

Focusing on usability and human-centered design results in sustainable systems, products and services designed to match a to user's needs and abilities to enhance their utilization, quality, and efficiency, thus providing cost effective solutions and reducing the likelihood that they will be rejected.

Austin UPA and AustinUX are hosting a discussion on techniques and products that make sustainable living happen - in the office, in education, and in the home.

PANELISTS:

John Umphress is the Conservation Program Specialist at the Austin Energy Green Building Program. He has been active in environmental and public policy for the past two decade and is particularly interested in the advantages of building low-mass structures using panelized materials, while relying on passive heating and cooling techniques.

Brian Lasseter, who in 2006 along with his wife Jennifer, decided to become committed to doing anything that they could do help our planet. This was not just about fuzzy feel good "tree-hugging" actions – Jennifer and Brian are engineers, and they saw these actions as a way to increase their personal energy independence, spark local conversation, and hedge against future utility and gasoline price increases. Jennifer and Brian realized that "not being dependent on foreign oil" was not just a nice goal, but entirely possible.

Sustainable Living Idea Round-up

This is a chance for anyone and everyone to brag on their favorite tools, share a tip or reveal a secret weapon that makes sustainable living a reality. Anyone who is interested will have five minutes to show off a product, service, tool or method that they think others would find useful. If you’re interested in reserving a spot, drop Julie note at julieklowe[at]gmail[dot]com with the name of the tool or service you want to talk about. We’ll also open it up to the group during the meeting for everyone to share.

Agenda

6:30-7:00 Arrival and networking
7:00-8:30 Discussion

Bonuses!

1. Cell phone drive for SafePlace – Bring your old cell phone(s) – working or not!
2. Book giveaway courtesy of O'Reilly
3. Drink specials available from Tonic Coffeebar and Lounge
4. Complimentary light refreshments provided by Bestica UX Staffing Group