Friday, 29 Sept. 17:00
Ease of Use / Use of Ease: Redefining User Friendly Design in the Age of Surveillance Capitalism
Jan-Wessel Hovingh
20 min talk
Interfaces, graphic user interfaces in particular, enable ordinary people to use products and services that are so complex only someone with a PhD in Computer Sciences could grasp their inner workings. The fact we do not need a manual to use a device like an iPhone perfectly proves it is possible to design interfaces that are so intuitive, even a child can master it within minutes.
Interfaces, graphic user interfaces in particular, enable ordinary people to use products and services that are so complex only someone with a PhD in Computer Sciences could grasp their inner workings. The fact we do not need a manual to use a device like an iPhone perfectly proves it is possible to design interfaces that are so intuitive, even a child can master it within minutes.
By reducing the complexity of a machine to a level an intended user is able to operate it, interfaces reduce friction between user and product and reducing friction has been paramount ever since there were product designers. The easier a product is to use, the happier the user.
However, reducing friction and complexity can cause possible negative side effects of using a digital product. Can you tell by the interface if the product, service or company can be trusted with your personal data? Mishaps on platforms like Yahoo or Ashlee Madison have proved millions are at risk, and we are not just talking websites or apps here. How can you tell what data is being collected and sent to Tesla Headquarters by your Model X? And what about your toothbrush? Or your Nest? Or even your blue tooth dildo?
Designing these interfaces has become a job with an enormous responsibility. A mistake will be replicated 1000’s of times and its consequences will harm and sometimes even end real lives. Interface designers should face the fact their job is a serious one. Designers are the gatekeepers of their end users well being. Using solid principles and inviting real end users to participate and co-design interfaces, services and even business models, it is possible to achieve the greatest goal an interface designer can achieve: to create mutual trust.
Jan-Wessel Hovingh (1977) is a UX Designer gone rogue. During his Master Study at the Willem de Kooning Academy Rotterdam (NL) he aimed at redefining the role of a UX designer from the perspective of privacy. He developed design patterns for enabling other designers to structure a design process trough the principles of Privacy by Design. He strongly believes interfaces are forms of materialised trust and that designers should enable their end users to fully participate in the design process. Jan-Wessel currently is a lecturer at NHL University of Applied Sciences (NL) and works as a freelance designer and consultant.
About EuroIA
EuroIA is the leading Information Architecture (IA) and User Experience (UX) conference for Europe.
EuroIA has travelled through Europe over the years: Brussels, Barcelona, Rome, Berlin, Paris, Prague, and most recently, in Amsterdam. In 2017 will be in Stockholm for the first time. Learn more about EuroIA.
EuroIA is organised by volunteers all around Europe, with three co-chairs, an active committee and over 35 country ambassadors. Find out who is who at EuroIA.
Välkommen in Stockholm
EuroIA goes to Stockholm, the Capital of Scandinavia, one of the most connected, environmentally friendly and creative cities in the world.
EuroIA 2017 will take place at Elite Hotel Marina Tower, situated in a historic mill on the waterfront, only a few minutes from the city centre.
Elite Hotel Marina Tower Stockholm,
Saltsjöqvarns kaj 25,
131 71 Nacka,
Sweden.
+46 8 555 702 00
Our sponsors
The following sponsors have already committed to EuroIA 2017:
FatDUX: Headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, FatDUX creates innovative interactive products that improve the quality of people’s lives and improve their clients’ bottom line. These products include websites, intranets, software applications, and industrial interfaces. You’ll find FatDUX offices and representatives throughout Europe and the Americas.
User Intelligence: User Intelligence is a user experience design and evaluation collective based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Our consultants work on the design and evaluation of complex, interactive products and services, usually applications on websites, mobile phones, interactive TV, or desktops. We always keep the end-user in mind, without losing sight of the business context of our clients.
Rosenfeld Media: Rosenfeld Media connects people interested in designing better user experiences with the best expertise available—in the formats that make the most sense, and in ways that demonstrate the value of UX.
As UX becomes mission critical for more industries, organizations, and people, they expect to be there—as a trusted source of really helpful, really valuable expertise that helps make sense of user experience design.
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