May 2007
May 1, 2007
UPA Auckland - The Human Brain 101
Ever wondered why so many usability professionals have studied psychology?
Dr Vanessa Lim from the University of Auckland’s Psychology Department is going to provide you with a Psychology 101 level toolkit of knowledge about human memory, cognition and attention. During her talk we’re going to discuss how human vision, attention and memory work and how this knowledge can be applied to design of software and websites. Vanessa will also talk about experimental methods briefly, while recognising that few people in our industries conduct rigorous, tightly controlled experiments.
Dr Vanessa Lim completed her PhD (2003) in Psychology from The University of Melbourne. Her main research interests are in movement disorders (Parkinson’s disease and Focal Dystonia) and music processing. Currently working at the Psychology Department as the Neuroimaging manager and Researcher. The main techniques used in the lab are Electroencephalography (EEG), functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and behavioural techniques.
Registration details at the UPA NZ website
May 1, 2007
UPA Wellington - User Needs: Case Studies from Big Sites
Three 20-minute presentations about government websites with a wide range of users. This event will be of interest to all web professionals – from developers and designers, to information architects, content managers and communicators.
1. Making pathways: using mindsets to redesign http://www.statistics.govt.nz/
Mindsets were more useful than personas for redesigning the information architecture of the Statistics New Zealand website. While personas focus on what users need, mindsets focuses on how they do something (eg, seek information). Jocelyn Morrison, product developer, talks about why mindsets instead of personas were used to improve the pathways to information on a complex site.
2. Easier uploads: redesign of an administration tool for http://www.nzlive.com/
Jared Gulian, web editor, on creating a better behind-the-scenes interface for people wanting to contribute events to the site.
3. Show and tell: visual information on http://www.teara.govt.nz/ Te Ara, the Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Tessa Copland, web editor and Helene Coulson, designer, give examples of converting complicated ideas into user-friendly diagrams and interactives.
* When: 12–1.30 pm, Tuesday 1 May 2007
* Where: Ground floor conference room, Statistics House, The Boulevard, Harbour Quays. You need to sign in at reception, then head left through the library.
* RSVP: Tessa.Copland [at] mch.govt.nz
To get to Statistics House: Access by road is from Aotea Quay at the traffic lights near the stadium. There is also a footpath beside the sheds and construction site on the harbour side of Aotea Quay, and a bridge walkway from the railway station and stadium. Get to the walkway from the north end of several rail platforms, and from the steps opposite East Day Spa on Thorndon Quay.
May 8, 2007
GOVIS 2007 - Pre-Conference Workshop: Power to the People
Workshop presenters: Zef Fugaz and Bob Medcalf - Provoke and Elyssa Timmer - Boulder Services
Full day workshop: Tuesday 8 May 2007, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.
Our one-day intensive workshop teaches you how to incorporate user goals and agency needs into the web design process. You'll develop a detailed understanding of users through user research, usage scenarios and conceptual models. You'll help create a user-centric government website that meets both agency and user needs. You'll learn how to conduct simple in-house usability tests. You'll learn about the impact on your design decisions in context of government web standards, the search experience and 'web 2.0' concepts. Be prepared to be engaged while gaining practical, actionable knowledge! This workshop is for website managers, business analysts, interaction designers, information
architects and anyone interested in the user experience.
Power to the People! workshop fees:
GOVIS member early bird $395.00
GOVIS member standard $495.00
Non-member early bird $495.00
Non-member standard $595.00
Full Conference Details: http://www.govis.org.nz/conference2007/
Register online: https://www.secureregistrations.com/GOVIS07/
May 29, 2007
UPA Auckland - A Report on Tog's Interaction Design Tutorial
Catherine Bercher will report on the "Interaction Design" tutorial given by Bruce "Tog" Tognazzini (the ex-Apple user interface guru, designer, and writer) that she recently attended in Sydney.
This tutorial distills thirty years’ of his experience with human-computer interaction (HCI) into straightforward principles, processes, and techniques that covered the entire product life cycle. The talk will be a a brief summary of this 3-day tutorial. It may not contain anything new for experienced interaction designers, or those who have read Tog's articles and books, but will definitely be of interest to those less familiar with the field. It has an emphasis on practical use of techniques within commercial development, rather than on theory.
* RSVP: Please RSVP to auckland@upa.org.nz by 5pm Monday 31st April
* Time: 6pm onwards for drinks and nibbles.
* Talks start at 6.30pm. Finishes at approximately 8pm
* Cost: $10 cash at the door. Please bring correct change.
* Location: Bank of New Zealand, 3rd floor, 125 Queen Street, Auckland
* Late entry: Call Mark McLay on 029 222 00 16 if you have difficulty getting in or arrive after 6.30pm