Listening is one of those skills that no one really talks about, and yet listening is critical to User Research and general business as well.
You have to understand, and in some cases even become emotive, with the users you are listening to. Yes we can all listen to some degree, but the reality is this will not be that thorough, there will be gaps, major things that you will miss or just did not understand completely.
It follows in the field of user experience listening is critical. Without it you just aren’t going to a able to understand the issues your users are telling you, or worse you will miss important information.
photo:Steve Baty
It’s time for part two of the 5 x 5 interview series, covering a range of speakers from the upcoming Perth web conference the Edge of the Web. Next I caught up with Ash Donaldson.
Ash Donaldson is one of those old school User Experience Designers that are the main stay of our industry. He’s the type of person that just extrudes knowledge and a passion for his craft . It’s well worth having a chat over a beer or two with Ash, you’ll come away with your head spinning, and not from the beer.
Tagged: Ash Donaldson, CHISIG, conference, edgeoftheweb, eotw, eotw09, IA, interview, ISO, ixd, OZCHI, ux, web design
Last year the Perth Web community celebrated with the highly successful inaugural Edge of the Web conference. Well that conference is on again, with workshops and ending in the massive geek black tie party that is the Australia Web Awards Dinner. You wanted it over two days – you got it, you wanted more locals – you got it, you wanted more workshops – you got it.
To help celebrate this year, I’m putting together this five part interview series with speakers from the Edge of the Web conference, this is part one.
photo: Ben Buchanan
In a few weeks there is going to be the biggest web event of the Western Australian calendar year. Not just the Edge of the Web conference, there is also Webjam, four workshops and the WA Web Awards all in one roller coaster week.
One of the keynote speakers and workshop presenter at the Edge of the Web conference is Derek Featherstone. Derek is particularly renown for his straight forward and often enlightening approach to accessibility.
The other day I took the opportunity to discuss with Derek his motivation, the future of accessibility and his forthcoming workshop.
