Speaker archive
This is an archive of speakers from previous events. Speakers for the current event may be found here.
MEX invites speakers and facilitators on the strength of their expertise, personal enthusiasm and novelty of ideas. It specifically favours undiscovered talents instead of big job titles. Proposals for future MEX speakers and facilitators are always welcome.
MEX invites speakers and facilitators on the strength of their expertise, personal enthusiasm and novelty of ideas. It specifically favours undiscovered talents instead of big job titles. Proposals for future MEX speakers and facilitators are always welcome.
March 2015
London
Isobel
Demangeat
Demangeat
Think with Things
Julie
Anne Gilleland
Anne Gilleland
Think with Things
Dr Norman
Lewis
Lewis
PwC
Ben
Scott-Robinson
Scott-Robinson
Ordnance Survey
Kajsa
Sundeson
Sundeson
Ocean Observations
Samir
Fors
Fors
Ocean Observations
Louisa
Heinrich
Heinrich
Superhuman
Jonathan
Mitchener
Mitchener
Innovate UK
Patrizia
Bertini
Bertini
Wipro
James
Deakin
Deakin
Fjord
Sam
Livingstone
Livingstone
Car Design Research
David
Mingay
Mingay
Ustwo
Jerome
Le Feuvre
Le Feuvre
News Republic
Jonny
Burch
Burch
Osper
Rich
Clayton
Clayton
Monkey Mischief
Alex
Guest
Guest
Independent
Rory
Southworth
Southworth
UCLAN
Dr Andrew
Muir Wood
Muir Wood
MEX
Marek
Pawlowski
Pawlowski
MEX
March 2014
London
Peter
Skillman
Skillman
HERE (Nokia)
James
Haliburton
Haliburton
TOPP
Dale
Herigstad
Herigstad
Possible Worldwide
Willem
Boijens
Boijens
Canon
Floris
van Eck
van Eck
Canon
Dr Rachel
Jones
Jones
Instrata
Thomas
Foster
Foster
Investment Bank
Ken
Willes
Willes
Ideum
Markus
Hohl
Hohl
Orange Innovation Labs
Giles
Colborne
Colborne
cx partners
Tom
Fiddian
Fiddian
TSB
Lindsey
Green
Green
Frankly, Green + Webb
Alyson
Webb
Webb
Frankly, Green + Webb
Per
Nordqvist
Nordqvist
Ocean Observations
Jonas
Arbsjo
Arbsjo
TOPP
September 2013
Sofia
Svanteson
Svanteson
Ocean Observations
Dr James
Taplin
Taplin
Forum for the Future
Arun
Vasudeva
Vasudeva
Pearson
Lennart
Andersson
Andersson
Veryday
Ben
Pirt
Pirt
Xively
Jason
DaPonte
DaPonte
The Swarm
Brittney
Bean
Bean
Songdrop
Amy
Huckfield
Huckfield
Independent
Sam
Dunne
Dunne
Plan
Davide
"Folletto" Casali
"Folletto" Casali
Automattic
Sophie
Arkette
Arkette
Independent
March 2013
London
Ghislaine
Boddington
Boddington
body>data>space
Lee
Duddell
Duddell
WhatUsersDo
Melody
Quintana
Quintana
Facebook
Alexandra
Deschamps-Sonsino
Deschamps-Sonsino
Designswarm
Simon
Judge
Judge
Surerange Analysis
Jon
Mann
Mann
Artefact
Yuli
Levtov
Levtov
Reactify
Victor
Szilagyi
Szilagyi
Independent
Paul
Bennun
Bennun
Somethin' Else
Dr Leo
Poll
Poll
Akendi
Oli
Shaw
Shaw
Fluxx
Priya
Prakash
Prakash
Design Social Change
September 2012
London
Peter
Whale
Whale
Qualcomm
Joe
Simpson
Simpson
Car Design Research
Kate
Ho
Ho
Interface3
Patrick
Bergel
Bergel
Chirp.io
James
Alexander
Alexander
The Foundation
Sabrina
Majeed
Majeed
Independent
Ivo
Weevers
Weevers
Canonical
Charlotte
Magnusson
Magnusson
Lund University
Marcelle
von Wendland
von Wendland
Fincore
Nancy
Perlman
Perlman
Independent
Geoff
McCormick
McCormick
Alloy
Peter
Andic
Andic
Qualcomm
December 2011
London
Priya
Prakash
Prakash
Nokia
Ben
Medlock
Medlock
TouchType
Jim
Kosem
Kosem
Halfman
Alexander
Asseily
Asseily
Jawbone, State
Charles
Lilley
Lilley
HealthSystems
Gavin
Evans
Evans
DAC
Jason
Mills
Mills
ITV News
Andrea
Lewis
Lewis
FACE
Marcus
Hoggarth
Hoggarth
Native
Angel
Salazar
Salazar
AIDA Technology
Isobel
Demangeat
Demangeat
Qualcomm
Nicholas
Wheeler
Wheeler
Ven2Media
Mo
Firouzabadian
Firouzabadian
Lumata
Christoph
Raethke
Raethke
MagiTact
Jo
Rabin
Rabin
MobileMonday
Stephen
Haggard
Haggard
CPR
Claire
Rowland
Rowland
Fjord
May 2011
London
Tom
Godber
Godber
Masabi
Risto
Lahdesmaki
Lahdesmaki
Idean
Peter "pdx"
Drescher
Drescher
Twittering Machine
Callum
Rex Reid
Rex Reid
Digicave
Chris
Browne
Browne
Fjord
Franco
Papeschi
Papeschi
Web Foundation
Ramona
Liberoff
Liberoff
Movirtu
Jerome
Nadel
Nadel
Mobiwire
Ed
Maklouf
Maklouf
Siine
David
Birnbaum
Birnbaum
Immersion
Simon
East
East
DriveGain
Remy
Bourganel
Bourganel
Orange Vallee
James
Whatley
Whatley
1000heads
Mikko-Pekka
Hanski
Hanski
Idean
Why: Isobel masterminds the opening creative exercise at MEX, a session designed to establish the tone of enquiry which will bring participants together in creating new ideas. One half of the Think with Things duo, with co-founder Jules, Isobel returns to MEX after a memorable talk in 2011 when her meticulously prepared presentation broke new ground in establishing design principles for the nascent field of augmented reality.
Bio: Isobel founded Think with Things in 2014 with Jules. Following a passion to cross the digital to real-world divide, Think with Things puts to practical use the extensive user research and experience gained through working in the fields of augmented reality, context aware and mobile applications. Isobel's experience in interaction design and user research encompasses the full spectrum of digital interactions. Her passion and vision for good user experience comes from understanding real users and their motivations through observation and interaction with their environment.
Bio: Isobel founded Think with Things in 2014 with Jules. Following a passion to cross the digital to real-world divide, Think with Things puts to practical use the extensive user research and experience gained through working in the fields of augmented reality, context aware and mobile applications. Isobel's experience in interaction design and user research encompasses the full spectrum of digital interactions. Her passion and vision for good user experience comes from understanding real users and their motivations through observation and interaction with their environment.
Why: Jules' experience building creative spaces and pioneering new methods of learning are the foundation of the opening creative session at MEX. Working with co-founder Isobel, her Think with Things team starts the event with challenges and activities to tap into participants' knowledge.
Bio: Jules founded Think with Things in 2014 with Isobel 14 years after they studied Industrial Design together at Aalto Universty in Helsinki. Jules passion is in designing educational environments, products and experiences. She founded a non-profit Turtlewings, a centre of creativity in Brussels. The innovative space was used by all ages to explore creative thinking and design. In this space Jules developed the methodology 'Material Thinking' which is the foundation of Think with Things' products, and she sees that technology can be the vehicle to reach a global audience.
Bio: Jules founded Think with Things in 2014 with Isobel 14 years after they studied Industrial Design together at Aalto Universty in Helsinki. Jules passion is in designing educational environments, products and experiences. She founded a non-profit Turtlewings, a centre of creativity in Brussels. The innovative space was used by all ages to explore creative thinking and design. In this space Jules developed the methodology 'Material Thinking' which is the foundation of Think with Things' products, and she sees that technology can be the vehicle to reach a global audience.
Why: Norman's domain is big ideas about how technology will change lives. Unlike most who occupy such territory, he is also usually right. His previous MEX session in 2008 talked with uncanny prescience about the way digital life would shape the identity of children, predictions which played out almost to the letter. He returns to MEX to share his latest vision of digital experience, exploring how the advent of massive, connected intelligence will inform work and play, drawing on his experience with PwC, one of the world's largest professional services firms.
Bio: Norman Lewis is recognised worldwide as an expert on future trends and user behaviours with regard to technology innovation and adoption. Prior to joining PwC he was Chief Innovation Officer and Partner at Open-Knowledge, a global consultancy on enterprise social software. He was the Chief Strategy Officer of Wireless Grids Corporation, USA and the Director of Technology Research for Orange UK, formerly the Home Division of France Telecom. He was also previously an Executive Board member of the MIT Communications Futures Programme and a former chairman of the ITU TELECOM Forum Programme Committee. He is a co-author of Big Potatoes: the London manifesto for innovation.
Bio: Norman Lewis is recognised worldwide as an expert on future trends and user behaviours with regard to technology innovation and adoption. Prior to joining PwC he was Chief Innovation Officer and Partner at Open-Knowledge, a global consultancy on enterprise social software. He was the Chief Strategy Officer of Wireless Grids Corporation, USA and the Director of Technology Research for Orange UK, formerly the Home Division of France Telecom. He was also previously an Executive Board member of the MIT Communications Futures Programme and a former chairman of the ITU TELECOM Forum Programme Committee. He is a co-author of Big Potatoes: the London manifesto for innovation.
Why: Ben has seen digital creativity from every angle, ranging from mobile interface work used by millions of network subscribers to his own, award-winning personal projects rethinking user experience for the partially-sighted. He's now set out to transform mapping for the Ordnance Survey, a British institution with over 200 years of history and some of the world's most detailed cartographic data. At MEX, Ben will share both the methodologies and vision he's pursuing as he considers user's evolving relationship with the whole concept of 'place'.
Bio: Ben Scott-Robinson is Head of Interactive Experience at the Ordnance Survey. He is part of a team creating beautiful things with the world's best maps, including the award winning Resilience Direct product for the Cabinet Office, and the life saving OS Locate mobile app. He is also a tutor for Google’s Squared Online digital innovator course. Prior to this, he has founded two agencies, two consultancies, an app start-up and a phone for blind people. He has held the role of Creative Director, Experience Director, Head of Innovation, and Head of Brilliant. He has been in the Drum Magazine's Mobile Top 50 for two years running, and last year was #23 in the Digerati Top 100. But it's not all talk: he likes to get his hands dirty creating user experiences and conceptual creative for products and interactive brand narratives as well. Over the years he has built brands, campaigns, apps, sites, games, and a bottle opener that looked like a submarine.
Bio: Ben Scott-Robinson is Head of Interactive Experience at the Ordnance Survey. He is part of a team creating beautiful things with the world's best maps, including the award winning Resilience Direct product for the Cabinet Office, and the life saving OS Locate mobile app. He is also a tutor for Google’s Squared Online digital innovator course. Prior to this, he has founded two agencies, two consultancies, an app start-up and a phone for blind people. He has held the role of Creative Director, Experience Director, Head of Innovation, and Head of Brilliant. He has been in the Drum Magazine's Mobile Top 50 for two years running, and last year was #23 in the Digerati Top 100. But it's not all talk: he likes to get his hands dirty creating user experiences and conceptual creative for products and interactive brand narratives as well. Over the years he has built brands, campaigns, apps, sites, games, and a bottle opener that looked like a submarine.
Why: Kajsa joins MEX for the first time in March 2015, following in the footsteps of many from Ocean Observations who've participated over the years. She will share her strategic insight into the digital experience questions we'll all face as new technologies are introduced into healthcare and our personal lives. Alongside her colleague Samir, Kajsa will encourage participants to think differently about digital experience as it becomes more personal, and facilitate a workshop aimed at defining guiding principles for this area of design.
Bio: As Design Strategist at Ocean Observations, Kajsa helps clients to take advantage of digital opportunities, in projects ranging from healthcare and social innovation to consumer products, all with a focus on user experience. In her masters degree project at Aalto University, Kajsa researched how digital tools can bridge the gap between healthcare and home to empower patients with chronic disease, and at Ocean she continues exploring this field. Kajsa believes in co-creation as a means to designing services and sees the exciting challenge in finding ways that UX design-thinking can be used at all levels - from strategy to details that make a difference in the daily lives of people.
Bio: As Design Strategist at Ocean Observations, Kajsa helps clients to take advantage of digital opportunities, in projects ranging from healthcare and social innovation to consumer products, all with a focus on user experience. In her masters degree project at Aalto University, Kajsa researched how digital tools can bridge the gap between healthcare and home to empower patients with chronic disease, and at Ocean she continues exploring this field. Kajsa believes in co-creation as a means to designing services and sees the exciting challenge in finding ways that UX design-thinking can be used at all levels - from strategy to details that make a difference in the daily lives of people.
Why: Continuing the long-standing relationship between the MEX and Ocean Observations, Samir joins the event for the first time in March 2015. His background in interaction design and deep interest in how digital can improve lives have equipped him to get to the heart of the MEX theme: getting under the skin of user experience. Alongside his colleague Kajsa, he presents on this topic, and facilitates a creative team session to look at the unique user experience challenges of wearables, healthcare and service design.
Bio: Samir Fors is an Interaction Designer at Ocean Observations, a design consultancy located in Stockholm, Sweden. With a background from the Royal Institute of Technology, he was the usability lead at Klarna for two years before moving on to become the UX lead at a small, Stockholm-based start-up called Campanja. In search of purpose, Samir steered his path to Ocean Observations, where he now works on projects aimed at improving the work conditions for textile workers in China, or to help people with rheumatic diseases find the right care in the earlier stages. Samir has a big appetite for learning new things and creating digital services to solve other people’s problems.
Bio: Samir Fors is an Interaction Designer at Ocean Observations, a design consultancy located in Stockholm, Sweden. With a background from the Royal Institute of Technology, he was the usability lead at Klarna for two years before moving on to become the UX lead at a small, Stockholm-based start-up called Campanja. In search of purpose, Samir steered his path to Ocean Observations, where he now works on projects aimed at improving the work conditions for textile workers in China, or to help people with rheumatic diseases find the right care in the earlier stages. Samir has a big appetite for learning new things and creating digital services to solve other people’s problems.
Why: Louisa holds audiences enthralled - often without any notes or slides - as she shares what's happening at the cutting edge of humans' interactions with machines. Her domain ranges from physical drones to the invisible systems monitoring user's lives, always grounded in understanding the potential unease these technologies may bring.
Bio: Louisa Heinrich is the Founder of Superhuman. She brings over 22 years’ total experience (17 in digital), working with businesses and governments to design strategies, products, services and organisational structures that use digital technology to improve individual lives, make a positive contribution to society, and achieve commercial results. She has held many titles, including Design Director in the first dotcom boom, Executive for Future Platforms at the BBC, and most recently Head of Strategy for international Service Design agency Fjord. She has led teams worldwide for multi-national businesses, is a thought leader and a recognised speaker on the intersection of people, technology and business. She has worked with a broad variety of clients across most industry sectors – some names you might recognise are Nokia, Volksbank, Ericsson, Voddler, Procter & Gamble, Eli Lilly, Citibank, United Airlines, Daimler, and of course the BBC.
Bio: Louisa Heinrich is the Founder of Superhuman. She brings over 22 years’ total experience (17 in digital), working with businesses and governments to design strategies, products, services and organisational structures that use digital technology to improve individual lives, make a positive contribution to society, and achieve commercial results. She has held many titles, including Design Director in the first dotcom boom, Executive for Future Platforms at the BBC, and most recently Head of Strategy for international Service Design agency Fjord. She has led teams worldwide for multi-national businesses, is a thought leader and a recognised speaker on the intersection of people, technology and business. She has worked with a broad variety of clients across most industry sectors – some names you might recognise are Nokia, Volksbank, Ericsson, Voddler, Procter & Gamble, Eli Lilly, Citibank, United Airlines, Daimler, and of course the BBC.
Why: Jonathan continually surprises with his insights into the link between understanding user behaviour and driving large scale economic change through digital industry. Drawing on years of practical experience with research, he now helps shape the UK's approach to user-centred innovation in ICT, including funding schemes to support UX. He comes to MEX to engage in ongoing discussion with the community about the themes and approaches which will enable the UX industry to thrive in the UK.
Bio: Jonathan joined Innovate UK (then Technology Strategy Board) in August 2011 as Lead Technologist for Information and Communications Technology (ICT), where he helps drive investment and innovation amongst UK companies. A first class honours graduate in Computer Science from the University of Hertfordshire in 1988, he undertook a wide range of roles in more than twenty years with BT including research, systems deployment, and technology and management consultancy, before becoming their futurologist. Subsequently he ran his own independent futures consultancy business helping clients across all sectors understand the impacts of future disruptive change on their organisations. He has travelled extensively to speak to, inspire and provoke a range of audiences on technology topics, and has also written for many journals and magazines and appeared on radio and television. He uses his wide experience to help advise organisations on successful innovation, and currently formulates UK strategy for software technology at Innovate UK.
Bio: Jonathan joined Innovate UK (then Technology Strategy Board) in August 2011 as Lead Technologist for Information and Communications Technology (ICT), where he helps drive investment and innovation amongst UK companies. A first class honours graduate in Computer Science from the University of Hertfordshire in 1988, he undertook a wide range of roles in more than twenty years with BT including research, systems deployment, and technology and management consultancy, before becoming their futurologist. Subsequently he ran his own independent futures consultancy business helping clients across all sectors understand the impacts of future disruptive change on their organisations. He has travelled extensively to speak to, inspire and provoke a range of audiences on technology topics, and has also written for many journals and magazines and appeared on radio and television. He uses his wide experience to help advise organisations on successful innovation, and currently formulates UK strategy for software technology at Innovate UK.
Why: Patrizia is one of the few facilitators we've come across who challenges participants not just with new subject matter, but by introducing genuinely new ways of thinking. At MEX she will use a range of 'serious play' techniques to explore how the process of understanding user behaviour must evolve and become more participatory as we seek to build to a new class of digital experiences.
Bio: To follow shortly..
Bio: To follow shortly..
Why: James comes to MEX for the first time to share a vision of the near future inspired by Fjord's detailed trend research. What will digital experience feel like and how can practitioners make those possibilities happen? Fjord, now part of Accenture Interactive, has been thinking about mobile and digital experiences almost as long as anyone, coming to MEX on several occasions over the last 10 years to inspire participants, including at our very first MEX in 2005.
Bio: James is a proven innovator who is committed to making a positive impact on the world through design and innovation. He has been the motive force behind change in industries as diverse as clothing retail, telecommunications, healthcare, financial services and media. In his role as Technology Design Director at Fjord James helps some of the world's biggest brands transform their businesses through design innovation.
Bio: James is a proven innovator who is committed to making a positive impact on the world through design and innovation. He has been the motive force behind change in industries as diverse as clothing retail, telecommunications, healthcare, financial services and media. In his role as Technology Design Director at Fjord James helps some of the world's biggest brands transform their businesses through design innovation.
Why: Sam Livingstone returns to MEX with new cross-industry insight from a joint project undertaken with Ustwo to reimagine car dashboards. As the automotive industry itself looks ahead to a period of intense change, Sam's ability to combine deep sector expertise with an understanding of the wider digital landscape is a valuable addition to the debate.
Bio: As Director of the consultancy Car Design Research since 2000, Sam has managed projects for clients including Audi, Volvo, Volkswagen Group, Toyota, BMW, Hyundai, Renault, Pininfarina, Ford, and McLaren; working closely with Design Directors on their future design strategies. He has also been Senior Tutor in Vehicle Design at the Royal College of Art in London for over ten years, and has delivered lectures in several other academic institutions including Art Centre in Pasadena and Hongik in Seoul. He is a juror on the World Car of The Year Design Award, Transport Design Judge for the iF Design Awards, has presented at numerous conferences around the world.
Bio: As Director of the consultancy Car Design Research since 2000, Sam has managed projects for clients including Audi, Volvo, Volkswagen Group, Toyota, BMW, Hyundai, Renault, Pininfarina, Ford, and McLaren; working closely with Design Directors on their future design strategies. He has also been Senior Tutor in Vehicle Design at the Royal College of Art in London for over ten years, and has delivered lectures in several other academic institutions including Art Centre in Pasadena and Hongik in Seoul. He is a juror on the World Car of The Year Design Award, Transport Design Judge for the iF Design Awards, has presented at numerous conferences around the world.
Why: The car dashboard is one of many touchpoints whose very existence may be changed by digital technology. David comes to MEX to share the results of a collaborative, open design programme from renowned creative agency Ustwo, which reconsiders the interface between vehicle and human. There are lessons for both the future of UI and the way in which agencies conduct experimental projects.
Bio: David has over 18 years experience in digital design, spanning a wealth of industry verticals, engagement types and user touchpoints. After graduating from Northumbria University with a design for industry degree, he immediately jumped into the digital world of set-top boxes, CD-ROMS and kiosk design. With the emergence of the internet, David got involved in all things web-related, including branding, user experience design, Flash programming and animation. Now a Creative Director and Product Owner at ustwo, his recent client experience includes Toyota, British Telecom, Tesco Hudl, Sony, J.P. Morgan and Transport for London.
Bio: David has over 18 years experience in digital design, spanning a wealth of industry verticals, engagement types and user touchpoints. After graduating from Northumbria University with a design for industry degree, he immediately jumped into the digital world of set-top boxes, CD-ROMS and kiosk design. With the emergence of the internet, David got involved in all things web-related, including branding, user experience design, Flash programming and animation. Now a Creative Director and Product Owner at ustwo, his recent client experience includes Toyota, British Telecom, Tesco Hudl, Sony, J.P. Morgan and Transport for London.
Why: Jerome comes to MEX for the first time to share his vision of news as a truly personalised service for individual users and a multi-touchpoint experience spanning numerous products in our homes, on our wrists and in our pockets. News is one of many industries undergoing digital transformation and News Republic has pioneered the category, from pushing the limits of UI design on early Java-based phones to its recent award at Mobile World Congress 2015, the world's largest mobile technology gathering.
Bio: Jerome is Managing Director and Chief Marketing Officer for News Republic. The company's mission is is to provide information with purpose. We believe that those who read better will know better. We believe that perspective matters - this is why we partner with more trusted news sources from around the world than any other news provider. Our apps: News Republic, Appy Geek and Appy Gamer are optimised for a world mobilising with smartphones and wearables. News Republic is the proud winner of the 'Best Mobile Media and Publishing App' at Mobile World Congress 2015. We also partner with leading mobile manufacturers like HTC, Samsung, Lenovo and Sony. Prior to News Republic, Jérôme consulted for media groups on mobile strategies and co-founded a mobile start-up. For many years, he led mobile content marketing at Orange France.
Bio: Jerome is Managing Director and Chief Marketing Officer for News Republic. The company's mission is is to provide information with purpose. We believe that those who read better will know better. We believe that perspective matters - this is why we partner with more trusted news sources from around the world than any other news provider. Our apps: News Republic, Appy Geek and Appy Gamer are optimised for a world mobilising with smartphones and wearables. News Republic is the proud winner of the 'Best Mobile Media and Publishing App' at Mobile World Congress 2015. We also partner with leading mobile manufacturers like HTC, Samsung, Lenovo and Sony. Prior to News Republic, Jérôme consulted for media groups on mobile strategies and co-founded a mobile start-up. For many years, he led mobile content marketing at Orange France.
Why: Cool and youth are a deceptively hard concepts to talk about, let alone design for, not least because there is a minefield of cliche to navigate around the topic. Jonny Burch has been brave enough to take this on at MEX, sharing lessons learned through his endeavours with the ShellsuitZombie creative network and role leading design for Osper, the smart financial service for 8 - 18 year olds and their parents. We're hoping his insight will ruffle a few of the grey hairs in the room and help us oldies understand a bit more about what it really means to design for those who will shape the digital future.
Bio: Jonny Burch is Head of Design at Osper, a financial service built for young people. He spent his first few years designing ludicrously expensive art books before moving into digital marketing, working in London and Stockholm on projects for Honda, Converse, Innocent and the BBC. Just over two years ago he became the first employee of what was then 'BnkPositive' and is now Osper, where he leads the design of a debit card, app and website that need to appeal to 8 - 18 year olds and their parents. A mammoth task! Alongside this, in 2010 Jonny founded ShellsuitZombie, a project that provides young creatives with a voice and a foothold in the creative industry. Spanning across an active website, print magazine and regular events, the ShellsuitZombie network is still led by recent graduates and spans nationwide. The current roster keeps things relevant but makes Jonny feel very old.
Bio: Jonny Burch is Head of Design at Osper, a financial service built for young people. He spent his first few years designing ludicrously expensive art books before moving into digital marketing, working in London and Stockholm on projects for Honda, Converse, Innocent and the BBC. Just over two years ago he became the first employee of what was then 'BnkPositive' and is now Osper, where he leads the design of a debit card, app and website that need to appeal to 8 - 18 year olds and their parents. A mammoth task! Alongside this, in 2010 Jonny founded ShellsuitZombie, a project that provides young creatives with a voice and a foothold in the creative industry. Spanning across an active website, print magazine and regular events, the ShellsuitZombie network is still led by recent graduates and spans nationwide. The current roster keeps things relevant but makes Jonny feel very old.
Why: Rich is equally at home provoking a room full of experts to think differently about the long-term trends in digital experience as he is thinking up creative ways to facilitate team challenges. He wants to know how people's desire to consume will intersect with technology and will share his own examples, as well as working with a team to create new ideas. He'll be asking you to think on your feet, try out new methods and be brave in the scope of your outcomes.
Bio: As Founder of Monkey Mischief, a multidisciplinary collective of designers, developers and other randomly assorted creative individuals, Rich has provided brand, user interface and digital design solutions to a wide range of clients worldwide for the last decade. Monkey Mischief have created unique, innovative user interfaces for revolutionary products such as Travel Time, and the FISH Digital Forensics Suite , which is now in use by the FBI, Cheshire Police Force and the New South Wales Police. Their client list also includes Gizmondo, The NHS, VeeV Spirits (One of Inc Magazines Top 50 companies 2011), Universal Music, Dennis Publishing and Yakult. Following the launch of sister company Simian Publishing, and taking stewardship of the legendary British Men's title, Loaded, Rich has focussed his efforts not only on rejuvenating and reworking a print publication, but bridging the gap between print and digital in order to create a immersive and cohesive publication environment suited to the modern reader.
Bio: As Founder of Monkey Mischief, a multidisciplinary collective of designers, developers and other randomly assorted creative individuals, Rich has provided brand, user interface and digital design solutions to a wide range of clients worldwide for the last decade. Monkey Mischief have created unique, innovative user interfaces for revolutionary products such as Travel Time, and the FISH Digital Forensics Suite , which is now in use by the FBI, Cheshire Police Force and the New South Wales Police. Their client list also includes Gizmondo, The NHS, VeeV Spirits (One of Inc Magazines Top 50 companies 2011), Universal Music, Dennis Publishing and Yakult. Following the launch of sister company Simian Publishing, and taking stewardship of the legendary British Men's title, Loaded, Rich has focussed his efforts not only on rejuvenating and reworking a print publication, but bridging the gap between print and digital in order to create a immersive and cohesive publication environment suited to the modern reader.
Why: Alex is the arch facilitator, subtly pushing groups to give their best performances. His wide experience, from classical languages to business consulting, enables him to see the wider implications of his specific technology expertise around mobile. He'll lead a team looking at the human dimension of how digital links us to objects, services and places through transactional interactions.
Bio: 15 years ago, fascinated by language and armed with a degree in Latin and Ancient Greek, Alex began working with companies on how they communicate with their customers. With wide-ranging experience across public relations, branding, telemarketing and marketing strategy, and picking up a MBA along the way, he began working with tech startups in 2008. He has developed in-depth knowledge of digital media, especially at the intersection between older media, such as TV broadcasting, and the Internet. He runs workshops on business modelling and marketing technology ventures through UCL Advances and mentors startups.
Bio: 15 years ago, fascinated by language and armed with a degree in Latin and Ancient Greek, Alex began working with companies on how they communicate with their customers. With wide-ranging experience across public relations, branding, telemarketing and marketing strategy, and picking up a MBA along the way, he began working with tech startups in 2008. He has developed in-depth knowledge of digital media, especially at the intersection between older media, such as TV broadcasting, and the Internet. He runs workshops on business modelling and marketing technology ventures through UCL Advances and mentors startups.
Why: Rory's skill lies in mastering complex processes from the cutting edge of user research and translating the techniques into concise, usable lessons. In addition to his broad personal design interests, his position at the intersection of academia and industry makes him an ideal choice to keep the MEX community up-to-speed on the latest ways of understanding user behaviour.
Bio: Rory Southworth is a Product Development and Human Factors Specialist at the University of Central Lancashire in their Innovation Clinic, where he consults and advises businesses how to grow through front-ended design thinking. Rory’s previous research has been around the topic of meaning based design and how to design for acceptance and product uptake in his work with Exoskeletons (EXO-LEGS), with his current research looking at creating Design Independence. Whilst at Brunel University, Rory developed his experience with research methods working to develop and speed up the process of using generative research methods in order to uncover the user’s latent desires and unspoken needs. Rory has a personal interest in the relationship between perception and success and believes that it is the details that matter the most.
Bio: Rory Southworth is a Product Development and Human Factors Specialist at the University of Central Lancashire in their Innovation Clinic, where he consults and advises businesses how to grow through front-ended design thinking. Rory’s previous research has been around the topic of meaning based design and how to design for acceptance and product uptake in his work with Exoskeletons (EXO-LEGS), with his current research looking at creating Design Independence. Whilst at Brunel University, Rory developed his experience with research methods working to develop and speed up the process of using generative research methods in order to uncover the user’s latent desires and unspoken needs. Rory has a personal interest in the relationship between perception and success and believes that it is the details that matter the most.
Why: Andrew brings together the many different threads of MEX themes as a facilitator and host. His broad knowledge of design - drawn from teaching and organising collectives of young creatives - combines with hands-on user research skills honed in consultancy and academia.
Bio: Andrew has worked with MEX on a number of occasions, as a researcher, a speaker and a facilitator. He continues to be fascinated by the new experiences that can emerge from the dynamic relationship between technology and society. He is currently the customer insights lead at fintech startup DueDil, championing customer needs across the business. Previously he provided design strategy to startups with ZombieLabs and worked on future products and services for Plan. Before that he completed a PhD at the University of Cambridge which examined the patterns and drivers of change in fashion and technology that are embedded in the design of consumer products. He also mentors young creatives and entrepreneurs on research and design.
Bio: Andrew has worked with MEX on a number of occasions, as a researcher, a speaker and a facilitator. He continues to be fascinated by the new experiences that can emerge from the dynamic relationship between technology and society. He is currently the customer insights lead at fintech startup DueDil, championing customer needs across the business. Previously he provided design strategy to startups with ZombieLabs and worked on future products and services for Plan. Before that he completed a PhD at the University of Cambridge which examined the patterns and drivers of change in fashion and technology that are embedded in the design of consumer products. He also mentors young creatives and entrepreneurs on research and design.
Bio: Marek leads the development of the MEX initiative and PMN's research and consulting business. Since founding PMN in 1995, Marek has focused on helping digital industry improve its understanding of customers and translate that understanding into better user experience. He speaks, writes and broadcasts around the world, including providing analysis for channels such as the BBC, CNN and The Guardian. At MEX, Marek curates the experience and is there to help make the initiative more rewarding for all the participants, from planning the creative sessions to finding speakers who will change the way you think.
Why: It is a pleasure to welcome Peter to MEX for the first time to discuss how users explore the world through digital experiences. His work needs little introduction: after a career at IDEO, he went on to an instrumental role leading UX for the legendary mobile company Palm. Peter has subsequently led teams shaping the design of several critically acclaimed Nokia products, including heading mobile phone user interface and service design.
Bio: Peter Skillman is head of design for HERE, a Nokia business, following two years as head of Nokia Mobile Phones user interface and service design. Under his leadership, the design team developed UI and services for the successful Asha range. In his first Nokia role leading Meego UX design, Peter and team delivered the award-winning Nokia N9 swipe-enabled UX. As a core member of the Smart Devices leadership team, Peter also drove early Windows Phone differentiation design with Microsoft. Prior to Nokia, Peter led user experience for many years at Palm, where he also managed industrial design for a variety of mobile phones including the critically-acclaimed Pre. Before Palm, he drove consumer electronic product design at IDEO, an internationally-recognized design firm. Peter is a passionate promoter of sustainable architecture and design.
Bio: Peter Skillman is head of design for HERE, a Nokia business, following two years as head of Nokia Mobile Phones user interface and service design. Under his leadership, the design team developed UI and services for the successful Asha range. In his first Nokia role leading Meego UX design, Peter and team delivered the award-winning Nokia N9 swipe-enabled UX. As a core member of the Smart Devices leadership team, Peter also drove early Windows Phone differentiation design with Microsoft. Prior to Nokia, Peter led user experience for many years at Palm, where he also managed industrial design for a variety of mobile phones including the critically-acclaimed Pre. Before Palm, he drove consumer electronic product design at IDEO, an internationally-recognized design firm. Peter is a passionate promoter of sustainable architecture and design.
Why: James was instrumental in the work of TAT, the Swedish user experience company acquired by Blackberry. Most recently he co-founded TOPP, which brings together some of the world's leading digital experience talent, working on projects for some of the world's largest consumer electronics manufacturers. He returns to MEX after a memorable speaking session in September 2013 on the transition moments in users' digital lives.
Bio: James is a co-founder and CEO of the digital design consultancy, TOPP. He has spent the past 10 years leading design and innovation organisations, and has a background in interaction designand physical computing. Right now James is working on identifying real value for emerging experiences, as can be found in the connected home and car, new mobile platforms, and new product and service categories.
Bio: James is a co-founder and CEO of the digital design consultancy, TOPP. He has spent the past 10 years leading design and innovation organisations, and has a background in interaction designand physical computing. Right now James is working on identifying real value for emerging experiences, as can be found in the connected home and car, new mobile platforms, and new product and service categories.
Why: Dale's inspirational and Emmy Award-winning work creating digital experiences for television and film speaks for itself. After a memorable first visit to MEX two years ago, I am delighted he is able to participate at MEX again. He will share ideas formed from his deep interest in spatial navigation and interfaces for digital media. Dale brings an approach to futurism grounded in the reality of user behaviour and will use his speaking session to provoke new thinking across a number of areas.
Bio: Now living in London, Dale Herigstad spent 30 years in Hollywood as a motion graphic Director and Designer for TV and film. His mission has been to apply the principles of rich media to interactive experiences. He began designing interfaces for television more than 20 years ago, and was a founder of Schematic, which grew and merged with other digital agencies to form Possible Worldwide. Dale has developed a unique spatial approach to designing navigation systems for various screen contexts. The work blurs the line between television, games and web, a concept he calls 'New Television'. He was a part of the research team that conceptualised digital experiences in the film 'Minority Report', and is now leading development in gestural navigation for screens at a distance. Screens have always defined unique spaces, and with advancements in stereo 3D projection and new AR, information can occupy these spaces. Spatial context is becoming increasingly important in screen design. Virtual space and place are new frontiers of design. Dale has an MFA from California Institute of the Arts, where in 1981 he taught the first course in motion graphics to be offered to designers in the United States. He served on the founding advisory board of the digital content direction at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles, and also was an active participant in the development of advanced prototypes for Enhanced TV at the AFI for many years. Dale has 4 Emmy awards.
Bio: Now living in London, Dale Herigstad spent 30 years in Hollywood as a motion graphic Director and Designer for TV and film. His mission has been to apply the principles of rich media to interactive experiences. He began designing interfaces for television more than 20 years ago, and was a founder of Schematic, which grew and merged with other digital agencies to form Possible Worldwide. Dale has developed a unique spatial approach to designing navigation systems for various screen contexts. The work blurs the line between television, games and web, a concept he calls 'New Television'. He was a part of the research team that conceptualised digital experiences in the film 'Minority Report', and is now leading development in gestural navigation for screens at a distance. Screens have always defined unique spaces, and with advancements in stereo 3D projection and new AR, information can occupy these spaces. Spatial context is becoming increasingly important in screen design. Virtual space and place are new frontiers of design. Dale has an MFA from California Institute of the Arts, where in 1981 he taught the first course in motion graphics to be offered to designers in the United States. He served on the founding advisory board of the digital content direction at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles, and also was an active participant in the development of advanced prototypes for Enhanced TV at the AFI for many years. Dale has 4 Emmy awards.
Why: Willem has spent more than 20 years as a designer and strategist in local and global, profit and non-profit environments. He returns to MEX with new lessons from his recent work at Canon, looking at the future of imaging across a wide range of customer segments, from creative industries to business documentation. His career includes work in the sustainable energy sector and 10 years with Vodafone.
Bio: To follow shortly...
Bio: To follow shortly...
Why: Floris comes to MEX for the first time in March 2014, joining Willem Boijens to give a talk on their ongoing research into the future of imaging. His career includes 6 years with Canon and builds on his personal interests in the visual arts and maker movement. Their session explores our relationship with the camera and the way we interact with images.
Bio: Floris has worked at Canon for over 6 years in the role of business developer. He has always been fascinated by the visual arts – from photography to filmmaking and interactive video installations – and has experimented with all of them. He is especially interested in what the future will bring in terms of interaction, cyborgs and the singularity. One of his current topics of interests is the maker movement. What are the possibilities if we can hack together our own camera? Last year, Floris started working at Services Valley as a business developer. Services Valley is an open innovation centre and start-up incubator, party financed by Canon as a corporate catalyst. One of the projects that he is doing aim to explore the future of imaging - transitioning between system phases - from social to connected to truly intelligent.
Bio: Floris has worked at Canon for over 6 years in the role of business developer. He has always been fascinated by the visual arts – from photography to filmmaking and interactive video installations – and has experimented with all of them. He is especially interested in what the future will bring in terms of interaction, cyborgs and the singularity. One of his current topics of interests is the maker movement. What are the possibilities if we can hack together our own camera? Last year, Floris started working at Services Valley as a business developer. Services Valley is an open innovation centre and start-up incubator, party financed by Canon as a corporate catalyst. One of the projects that he is doing aim to explore the future of imaging - transitioning between system phases - from social to connected to truly intelligent.
Why: Rachel comes to MEX to facilitate a creative session on the user experience of location. Her experience, spanning a 20 year career, includes time working with Xerox EuroPARC and Sapient. In addition, she is the experience-led design champion as part of the government's Technology Strategy Board Creative Industries KTN.
Bio: To follow shortly...
Bio: To follow shortly...
Why: Tom brings first hand experience of using design to improve user experience at large scale in one of the world's biggest banks. Speaking at MEX on his personal initiative, Tom will help us understand design and culture change, issues of trust and complexity in a world of multiple digital platforms. Prior to his role as Vice President of UX at an investment bank, he has also worked on UX for network operators such as Orange and O2.
Bio: Tom started as a designer in 2000 following the completion of a Russian history degree and a disappointing spell as a developer. He's spent the last two and a half years trying to help change the culture of a large technology group in an investment bank, where he has most recently focussed on introducing UX and service design, mid Agile transformation, in a bid to help users and technology begin to talk to each other. There have been some successes. When he feels like the system is taking him over he runs long distances to free his mind and then reads Murakami. He's spent several years as a UX & service designer in telcos working on a range of projects, the highlight possibly being a stint at O2 where he worked with the great and infamous Markus Hohl creating new mobile devices from scratch with some help from Asian vendors. Tom also set-up and leads a soup run for the homeless, and serves as a leader in his local church. People are of infinite interest to Tom.
Bio: Tom started as a designer in 2000 following the completion of a Russian history degree and a disappointing spell as a developer. He's spent the last two and a half years trying to help change the culture of a large technology group in an investment bank, where he has most recently focussed on introducing UX and service design, mid Agile transformation, in a bid to help users and technology begin to talk to each other. There have been some successes. When he feels like the system is taking him over he runs long distances to free his mind and then reads Murakami. He's spent several years as a UX & service designer in telcos working on a range of projects, the highlight possibly being a stint at O2 where he worked with the great and infamous Markus Hohl creating new mobile devices from scratch with some help from Asian vendors. Tom also set-up and leads a soup run for the homeless, and serves as a leader in his local church. People are of infinite interest to Tom.
Further reading...
@tomfos
@tomfos
Why: As digital experiences expand across multiple touchpoints, spanning mobile devices, tablets and new types of display, Ken's pioneering work at Ideum on multi-modal interactions will help participants prepare for the future. He brings extensive experience as a teacher, designer and most recently leading the creative portfolio for customers of Ideum's advanced touch and gesture-based products.
Bio: As Director of Creative Services at Ideum, Ken Willes orchestrates interactive design talent and technical expertise to produce compelling large scale interactive experiences. He has developed solutions for clients such as NASA, USDA, 3M, Intel, and others. Ken also directs the efforts of Ideum's National Science Foundation sponsored projects: Open Exhibits and Creating Museum Media for Everyone (CMME). These initiatives have helped pave the way for the next generation of interactive and immersive environments for public spaces. Ideum's software framework development and R and D, along with our custom and product hardware development gives him a unique hands-on perspective for developing the future of interactive experiences. Prior to Ideum, Ken was lead Interactive Media professor at Southern Adventist University's School of Visual Art and Design. During his 8-year tenure, he shaped the curriculum to meet the needs of the new digital economy. His research during that time included body-based gesture interaction with augmented reality projection. Ken holds an MFA degree in Interactive Design and Game Development from Savannah College of Art and Design. Ken is also a proud father of a one year old and in his spare time can be found enjoying the open roads of New Mexico on his recumbent bicycle.
Bio: As Director of Creative Services at Ideum, Ken Willes orchestrates interactive design talent and technical expertise to produce compelling large scale interactive experiences. He has developed solutions for clients such as NASA, USDA, 3M, Intel, and others. Ken also directs the efforts of Ideum's National Science Foundation sponsored projects: Open Exhibits and Creating Museum Media for Everyone (CMME). These initiatives have helped pave the way for the next generation of interactive and immersive environments for public spaces. Ideum's software framework development and R and D, along with our custom and product hardware development gives him a unique hands-on perspective for developing the future of interactive experiences. Prior to Ideum, Ken was lead Interactive Media professor at Southern Adventist University's School of Visual Art and Design. During his 8-year tenure, he shaped the curriculum to meet the needs of the new digital economy. His research during that time included body-based gesture interaction with augmented reality projection. Ken holds an MFA degree in Interactive Design and Game Development from Savannah College of Art and Design. Ken is also a proud father of a one year old and in his spare time can be found enjoying the open roads of New Mexico on his recumbent bicycle.
Why: Markus comes to MEX to share his experience of building the customer centred design process at Telefonica O2, one of the world's leading mobile operators. Combining the skills of both a practitioner and strategist, Markus has first hand experience of why launching successful customer focused products is as much a challenge of organisational dynamics and teaching as it is of design. He first joined MEX as a participant several years ago and returns at the start of a new role leading Orange Innovation Labs in the UK. Markus also works with the Design Council and Royal College of Art.
Bio: To follow shortly...
Bio: To follow shortly...
Why: Giles returns to MEX with new insights into understanding user context, building interactions for the internet of things and how small frictions in the UI can snowball into larger problems. He founded and leads cx partners, a user experience agency noted for its meticulous research into user behaviour and implementing usable products and services. He is also the author of 'Simple and Usable' and working on a new book for publication in 2014. It is a pleasure to welcome him back to MEX, where his previous presentations and workshops are renowned for their depth.
Bio: To follow shortly...
Bio: To follow shortly...
Why: Tom Fiddian comes to MEX to lead a special discussion on behalf of The Technology Strategy Board (TSB), responsible for the UK government's efforts to accelerate economic growth by stimulating and supporting business-led innovation. The session provides information on how the TSB can help with funding user experience and a discussion of how best to foster engagement between the MEX community and TSB initiatives.
Bio: To follow shortly...
Bio: To follow shortly...
Why: Lindsey works with cultural and historic organisations, helping them to use mobile's unique capacity to deepen engagement through learning and play. She returns to MEX to give a speaking session on the challenge of guiding users between different modes of engagement, drawing on examples from cultural organisations from around the world. In addition, she will facilitate a creative session, leading a team through a design challenge. Lindsey has more than decade of experience in digital, creative learning and mobile user experience design. She has worked with some of the most innovative cultural organisations to deliver some of their most innovative projects, leading projects for Tate, English Heritage, the Science Museum and National Palace Museum, Taipei.
Bio: To follow shortly...
Bio: To follow shortly...
Why: Alyson helps cultural organisations experiment with mobile, designing experiences that help audiences interpret and connect with complex stories, objects and environments often through audio. She returns to MEX as a speaker and facilitator to inspire new thinking about how to augment life experiences and use digital to prompt creative endeavours. She has spent over 20 years designing mobile experiences much of it using audio. Her achievements include devising the content experience for the BAFTA winning Tate Handheld Guide and the UK's first museum app - Love Art for the National Gallery.
Bio: To follow shortly...
Bio: To follow shortly...
Why: Per brings detailed knowledge of the strategic and practitioner skills required to build multi-touchpoint digital experiences, with recent projects including a complete rethinking of the Nordic approach to digital in healthcare. In addition, he returns to MEX to facilitate a creative session around the notion of 'control', building on Ocean's long collaboration with MEX.
Bio: Per works as an interaction designer at Ocean Observations, helping clients from all over the world design more meaningful services and applications. Per contributes to every step of the design process, from research, experience mapping and concept development, to building and testing prototypes, producing assets and supporting the implementation. In 2012, Per spent the year in Tokyo working with Ocean Observation's Japanese office. During his time there, Per worked to develop the next-generation of infotainment systems for a Japanese in-car manufacturer and helped a smartphone manufacturer manage and improve the user experience around their upcoming product line, which defined the UX DNA for future product development. Meanwhile, back in Sweden, Per has been a key player in designing a new online screening service for the Swedish Healthcare system working to empower patients with rheumatoid arthritis and shorten the time from symptom to diagnosis.
Bio: Per works as an interaction designer at Ocean Observations, helping clients from all over the world design more meaningful services and applications. Per contributes to every step of the design process, from research, experience mapping and concept development, to building and testing prototypes, producing assets and supporting the implementation. In 2012, Per spent the year in Tokyo working with Ocean Observation's Japanese office. During his time there, Per worked to develop the next-generation of infotainment systems for a Japanese in-car manufacturer and helped a smartphone manufacturer manage and improve the user experience around their upcoming product line, which defined the UX DNA for future product development. Meanwhile, back in Sweden, Per has been a key player in designing a new online screening service for the Swedish Healthcare system working to empower patients with rheumatoid arthritis and shorten the time from symptom to diagnosis.
Why: Jonas participates at MEX for the first time as co-facilitator of the creative session exploring communication, alongside James Haliburton. He brings a combination of interaction design expertise, across both the virtual and physical canvases, with previous projects including the design of the Blackberry 10 UI and working with the founders of Arduino.
Bio: After studying sociology, Jonas' interest in human relations expanded to include relationships between people and technology. Physical prototyping proved to be the perfect space to continue exploring and, in parallel, with studying interaction design, Jonas held a position at design studio 1scale1, working closely with the founders of the Arduino platform. From there Jonas transcended into mobile, working as a lead designer at TAT and BlackBerry on several big projects, for example having a key role in the design of the BB10 platform. At TOPP, Jonas uses his skills in prototyping as well as his knowledge of how to design big systems to help customers create new platforms, both in mobile and beyond.
Bio: After studying sociology, Jonas' interest in human relations expanded to include relationships between people and technology. Physical prototyping proved to be the perfect space to continue exploring and, in parallel, with studying interaction design, Jonas held a position at design studio 1scale1, working closely with the founders of the Arduino platform. From there Jonas transcended into mobile, working as a lead designer at TAT and BlackBerry on several big projects, for example having a key role in the design of the BB10 platform. At TOPP, Jonas uses his skills in prototyping as well as his knowledge of how to design big systems to help customers create new platforms, both in mobile and beyond.
Why: Sofia has an astounding track record of pioneering user experience work from the earliest days of smart mobile devices. At MEX she'll be sharing both her ability to inspire an audience and facilitate creative collaboration by leading one of the working teams. In addition to founding her design consultancy Ocean Observations, Sofia's advice on design strategy is now sought by organisations all over the world, including her recent appointment to assist the Swedish government. An alumnus of the very first MEX, it is a pleasure to welcome Sofia back.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: Sofia is an entrepreneur and design strategist with a background in human computer interaction and the founder of design consultancy Ocean Observations. When Sofia and her class from the Royal Institute of Technology visited Tokyo in 1999, she was hit with an insight. The future spelled mobile services and content. In 2001 she was ready to kick-start Ocean Observations with their first client being Samsung. Today Sofia and her team have worked with a vide variety of cross platform services such as control systems for nuclear power plants as well as visualisations of how genes combined with lifestyle factors influence the risk of developing chronic diseases. Since 2013, Sofia is also a member of the expert group supporting the Swedish government's Committee for Digitisation, working towards the goal to make Sweden the number one digital country in the world.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: Sofia is an entrepreneur and design strategist with a background in human computer interaction and the founder of design consultancy Ocean Observations. When Sofia and her class from the Royal Institute of Technology visited Tokyo in 1999, she was hit with an insight. The future spelled mobile services and content. In 2001 she was ready to kick-start Ocean Observations with their first client being Samsung. Today Sofia and her team have worked with a vide variety of cross platform services such as control systems for nuclear power plants as well as visualisations of how genes combined with lifestyle factors influence the risk of developing chronic diseases. Since 2013, Sofia is also a member of the expert group supporting the Swedish government's Committee for Digitisation, working towards the goal to make Sweden the number one digital country in the world.
Why: James' insightful engagement with previous MEX work on digital sustainability developed into the speaking presentation and creative sessions he'll share at the September 2013 MEX. His expertise in sustainability sees him advising some of the world's leading technology companies, from Verizon Wireless to O2 and Sony. At MEX he will help bring an additional dimension to the way we explore modes of user engagement, looking at the role of sustainable practices in digital industry.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: James leads the Forum for the Future's work on how to use digital technologies for sustainability. He also work on metrics for innovation, and how the full sustainability of products and services can be assessed. A recent project bringing together both of these areas was the Eco rating assessment for mobile phones – an industry-leading sustainability initiative adopted by major network providers in Europe and the US. Prior to joining Forum, he was in ecology and environmental economics, and it was whilst mapping patterns of biodiversity and climate that he first saw the power of technology to simplify complex information and communicate it in a way that directed intelligent action. This experience, coupled with the last eight years of advising leading businesses, has helped develop the Forum's assessment of where digital technologies can best be used for sustainability – some of which is set out in a recent publication with O2. He manages a number of our partnerships with a variety of large technology organisations which provides a broad overview of the challenges and opportunities affecting the sector. This is further helped by working across a number of different Forum teams – from the more predictable metrics through to the less-known possibilities of futures work. Recent work with technology partners includes a leadership assessment and action plan for Panasonic, an exploration of the future possibilities for consumer electronics with Sony, an initial analysis of the sustainability of the cloud for HP, the development of a new sustainability strategy and consumer sustainability services with O2 UK, and roll-out of the mobile phone assessment scheme with Verizon Wireless.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: James leads the Forum for the Future's work on how to use digital technologies for sustainability. He also work on metrics for innovation, and how the full sustainability of products and services can be assessed. A recent project bringing together both of these areas was the Eco rating assessment for mobile phones – an industry-leading sustainability initiative adopted by major network providers in Europe and the US. Prior to joining Forum, he was in ecology and environmental economics, and it was whilst mapping patterns of biodiversity and climate that he first saw the power of technology to simplify complex information and communicate it in a way that directed intelligent action. This experience, coupled with the last eight years of advising leading businesses, has helped develop the Forum's assessment of where digital technologies can best be used for sustainability – some of which is set out in a recent publication with O2. He manages a number of our partnerships with a variety of large technology organisations which provides a broad overview of the challenges and opportunities affecting the sector. This is further helped by working across a number of different Forum teams – from the more predictable metrics through to the less-known possibilities of futures work. Recent work with technology partners includes a leadership assessment and action plan for Panasonic, an exploration of the future possibilities for consumer electronics with Sony, an initial analysis of the sustainability of the cloud for HP, the development of a new sustainability strategy and consumer sustainability services with O2 UK, and roll-out of the mobile phone assessment scheme with Verizon Wireless.
Why: Arun first came to MEX as a participant two years ago and we're delighted to welcome him back, this time as a speaker. He will share insights into the changing nature of media consumption, drawing on his experiences of building immersive, collaborative and context aware content at Pearson, a media company with diverse interests ranging from the Financial Times to Penguin.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: Arun is the Design Lead for the Future Technologies team at Pearson, where he is exploring the digital future of learning. He does this by creating concepts and prototypes in a small and dynamic multidisciplinary team, that partners with all parts of the company. So far he's worked with Penguin, Dorling Kindersley and the Financial Times, as well as many of the educational divisions of the business. Prior to Pearson he worked for a number of companies, on products such as music players, virtual reality and 3d painting, before getting involved with mobile technology. He earned his geek credentials by starting off as a software developer, before studying Fine Art and then Design. Right now he's driven by the potential for technology to help make learning a more engaging, enjoyable and effective experience, not least motivated by the experience of becoming a parent.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: Arun is the Design Lead for the Future Technologies team at Pearson, where he is exploring the digital future of learning. He does this by creating concepts and prototypes in a small and dynamic multidisciplinary team, that partners with all parts of the company. So far he's worked with Penguin, Dorling Kindersley and the Financial Times, as well as many of the educational divisions of the business. Prior to Pearson he worked for a number of companies, on products such as music players, virtual reality and 3d painting, before getting involved with mobile technology. He earned his geek credentials by starting off as a software developer, before studying Fine Art and then Design. Right now he's driven by the potential for technology to help make learning a more engaging, enjoyable and effective experience, not least motivated by the experience of becoming a parent.
Why: Lennart returns to MEX to share his experience of involving users and communities in co-creation design work, a technique crucial to Veryday's reputation as a design agency. We were impressed by the results he achieved in his previous MEX creative sessions on new form factors for digital products and delighted he is returning to contribute another inspiring presentation and team leadership on this new theme of co-creation.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: Lennart Andersson is Director of Interaction Design, Design Strategist and Partner at Veryday, a design company challenging organizations worldwide to rethink their products and services in a user-centric approach. Directly after his master degree in industrial design 1999 he founded a design company together with some friends, to be able to focus on the convergence of physical and digital products. An early project resulted in the legendary Brainball, a game where you compete in relaxation by moving a physical object with your brain. In 2004 his company merged with Veryday, and today his experience stretch across multiple industries; mobile devices and apps, life science, games, finance, transportation, professional products, etc. Lennart is a creative engine, passionate about the challenges and opportunities of what our increasingly digital world means to people and brands.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: Lennart Andersson is Director of Interaction Design, Design Strategist and Partner at Veryday, a design company challenging organizations worldwide to rethink their products and services in a user-centric approach. Directly after his master degree in industrial design 1999 he founded a design company together with some friends, to be able to focus on the convergence of physical and digital products. An early project resulted in the legendary Brainball, a game where you compete in relaxation by moving a physical object with your brain. In 2004 his company merged with Veryday, and today his experience stretch across multiple industries; mobile devices and apps, life science, games, finance, transportation, professional products, etc. Lennart is a creative engine, passionate about the challenges and opportunities of what our increasingly digital world means to people and brands.
Why: Combining his grumpy old man demeanour with an impressive technical background from Onzo energy monitoring to Xively, the revolutionary platform for connected objects, Ben is going to dash our hopes of frictionless experiences by exploring the technical barriers design teams currently face. Then he'll try to rebuild our dreams with emerging developments that have the potential to shift those boundaries.
-- Andrew Muir Wood, Research Director, MEX
Bio: Ben is a professional CTO and entrepreneur who has excellent experience in startups, having been a founder member of one and an early-hire in another. He has a deep understanding of physical technology and hardware as well as high-traffic highly-scalable software systems. Before focusing on technology he studied Architecture in Edinburgh and University College London.
-- Andrew Muir Wood, Research Director, MEX
Bio: Ben is a professional CTO and entrepreneur who has excellent experience in startups, having been a founder member of one and an early-hire in another. He has a deep understanding of physical technology and hardware as well as high-traffic highly-scalable software systems. Before focusing on technology he studied Architecture in Edinburgh and University College London.
Why: It's a pleasure to welcome Jason back to MEX at a time when his work on a diverse range of creative projects, grounded in his former career leading the BBC's mobile editorial, will help illuminate several of the user modes we're exploring in September 2013.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: Jason understands how the timeless principles of storytelling shape the future of multi-touchpoint digital experiences. Bringing a wealth of experience from his years as editor of BBC Mobile and as Managing Director of his agency Enter The Swarm, Jason has been instrumental in developing thinking in the MEX community around distributed experiences. He has given a number of acclaimed presentations at MEX over the years, as well as facilitating creative teams.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: Jason understands how the timeless principles of storytelling shape the future of multi-touchpoint digital experiences. Bringing a wealth of experience from his years as editor of BBC Mobile and as Managing Director of his agency Enter The Swarm, Jason has been instrumental in developing thinking in the MEX community around distributed experiences. He has given a number of acclaimed presentations at MEX over the years, as well as facilitating creative teams.
Why: With Songdrop. Brittney and her team are channelling a real world behaviour - playing and sharing tunes from different online sources - into a single, low-friction experience. With a number of start-ups under her belt and a passion for new music, Brittney is an excellent addition to the MEX line-up.
-- Andrew Muir Wood, Research Director, MEX
Bio: Brittney Bean is the co-founder and CEO of London based music startup Songdrop, a way to store, play and share the music you stream online. She is also the co-founder of Green House Group, a digital marketing and web development agency, whose clients include Universal Music, Mercury Records, PIAS, Warners, Geffen Records and Various Artists Management. She is also the co-founder of the fried chicken brand, Mother Clucker, and has a masters degree in Art History from the University of St Andrews.
-- Andrew Muir Wood, Research Director, MEX
Bio: Brittney Bean is the co-founder and CEO of London based music startup Songdrop, a way to store, play and share the music you stream online. She is also the co-founder of Green House Group, a digital marketing and web development agency, whose clients include Universal Music, Mercury Records, PIAS, Warners, Geffen Records and Various Artists Management. She is also the co-founder of the fried chicken brand, Mother Clucker, and has a masters degree in Art History from the University of St Andrews.
Why: When we met Amy we were impressed by her research into children with ADHD and the way she translated insights into a product which could genuinely help understand and help sufferers.
-- Andrew Muir Wood, Research Director, MEX
Bio: Amy is a recent graduate from Brunel University. Passionate about transforming people’s lives and touching their hearts, by using design to solve problems and answer latent needs, she has been developing a concept to support children with ADHD to manage their condition independently. Dubbed Kudo, the concept utilises the recently developed affective computing technology, to provide objective feedback on the effect of ADHD on the child's development, and helps the child modify their behaviour through the power of feedback loops, games and incentives. During September she is also involved in the runnings of the global EPIC conference.
-- Andrew Muir Wood, Research Director, MEX
Bio: Amy is a recent graduate from Brunel University. Passionate about transforming people’s lives and touching their hearts, by using design to solve problems and answer latent needs, she has been developing a concept to support children with ADHD to manage their condition independently. Dubbed Kudo, the concept utilises the recently developed affective computing technology, to provide objective feedback on the effect of ADHD on the child's development, and helps the child modify their behaviour through the power of feedback loops, games and incentives. During September she is also involved in the runnings of the global EPIC conference.
Further reading...
@Amy_Huckfield
@Amy_Huckfield
Why: Sam comes to MEX to share insights into communication behaviours from his study of digital dating tools. He also facilitates a creative team in a 2 day design challenge. In addition to his work for design strategy consultancy Plan and as a writer for Core77, Sam has impressed us with his ability to inspire groups and bring new thinking to digital user experience.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: Sam is a design strategist at Plan and international correspondent for Core77. Attracted to the controversial and contentious, Sam began researching into online dating during his Masters study at the Glasgow School of Art. Now Sam's 'bit on the side', the Future Love Project continues to examine the evolution of matchmaking and love-lives, exploring the dilemmas and opportunities arising when the search for love meets technology.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: Sam is a design strategist at Plan and international correspondent for Core77. Attracted to the controversial and contentious, Sam began researching into online dating during his Masters study at the Glasgow School of Art. Now Sam's 'bit on the side', the Future Love Project continues to examine the evolution of matchmaking and love-lives, exploring the dilemmas and opportunities arising when the search for love meets technology.
Why: One of the most valuable sources of great MEX speakers is recommendations from those who've given memorable sessions of their own. We met Davide through just such an introduction and were instantly impressed by how his thinking around communications and social interactions would expand the conversation around user modes.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: I'm Davide Casali, better known as 'Folletto', an user experience director and startup advisor with a hybrid background in design, psychology and technology. My objective is to change for better the quality of life of the people through the products I design and lead. I believe that 'Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication', as Leonardo DaVinci reportedly said and my approach is to reach a focused simplicity through the existing complexity. I developed with Gianandrea Giacoma Motivational Design, a method that provides a theoretical approach and tools to deal with social dynamics and design social environments. During my 11+ years of professional experience I designed consumer and enterprise products and services for more than 2 million users worldwide in different markets. I worked with companies like Bank of England, Intesa Sanpaolo, Banca Sella, Unicredit, Nokia, Vodafone, Telecom Italia, Ferrari, and Benetton. I co-founded Good 50×70, an international social communication project and Baker Framework, a platform to publish HTML5 books and magazines on the iPad. I was a design partner in the startup WideTag where I led the WideNoise product, listed in Compasso D'Oro selection, the ADI Design Index 2010, and selected in the Top 10 Internet of Things Products of 2009 and today opensourced as part of EveryAware, a foundation to monitor the european environment in a social way. I'm currently advisor of PosterForTomorrow, Pick1 and Tonight.eu and evangelist of Hunie.co.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: I'm Davide Casali, better known as 'Folletto', an user experience director and startup advisor with a hybrid background in design, psychology and technology. My objective is to change for better the quality of life of the people through the products I design and lead. I believe that 'Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication', as Leonardo DaVinci reportedly said and my approach is to reach a focused simplicity through the existing complexity. I developed with Gianandrea Giacoma Motivational Design, a method that provides a theoretical approach and tools to deal with social dynamics and design social environments. During my 11+ years of professional experience I designed consumer and enterprise products and services for more than 2 million users worldwide in different markets. I worked with companies like Bank of England, Intesa Sanpaolo, Banca Sella, Unicredit, Nokia, Vodafone, Telecom Italia, Ferrari, and Benetton. I co-founded Good 50×70, an international social communication project and Baker Framework, a platform to publish HTML5 books and magazines on the iPad. I was a design partner in the startup WideTag where I led the WideNoise product, listed in Compasso D'Oro selection, the ADI Design Index 2010, and selected in the Top 10 Internet of Things Products of 2009 and today opensourced as part of EveryAware, a foundation to monitor the european environment in a social way. I'm currently advisor of PosterForTomorrow, Pick1 and Tonight.eu and evangelist of Hunie.co.
Why: It is a pleasure to welcome Sophie back to MEX after her previous pioneering work in helping participants understand multi-sensory experience design. She returns to facilitate a creative session looking at what responsible consumption of digital information might look and feel like, as part of the work we're doing on the user mode of 'Consume'.
Bio: Sophie Arkette's work as an designer/artist spans the areas of auditory perception, history of sound design, acoustic ecology and law. She has a particular interest in design related issues surrounding echolocation.Sophie has written on sound design for Theory, Culture & Society(2004), Earshot Magazine (2007), and Artcore Journal (2013). She is currently exhibiting a collection of sculptures at Temple Church in the City of London.
Bio: Sophie Arkette's work as an designer/artist spans the areas of auditory perception, history of sound design, acoustic ecology and law. She has a particular interest in design related issues surrounding echolocation.Sophie has written on sound design for Theory, Culture & Society(2004), Earshot Magazine (2007), and Artcore Journal (2013). She is currently exhibiting a collection of sculptures at Temple Church in the City of London.
Why: Ghislaine's background bridges the world of performance arts and digital technology. She comes to MEX to help participants push the boundaries of natural interface techniques and explore what happens when it becomes possible to manifest our physical identities in the digital world. Her work touches on several MEX Pathway areas and will provide the starting point for our 2 days of experimentation in digital user experiences.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: Ghislaine Boddington is Creative Director of body>data>space and a Research Associate Artist at ResCen. She works internationally as an artist, dramaturg, director, curator and presenter. She is a dance and performing arts specialist and an expert in body responsive interfaces and virtual/physical body networks. She has evolved an in-depth knowledge of the way in which the human user perceives, moves, gestures and participates, communicates and behaves within intelligent space. Ghislaine prioritises the user mode in the process and has developed a particular expertise since the mid-nineties in remote body/space connectivity through real-time telepresence. Her focus, and that of body>data>space, is on the ever increasing blend between the virtual and the physical and its implications for presence and liveness. The group engage in projects worldwide to evolve interfaces that place the human body at the centre of digital interaction.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: Ghislaine Boddington is Creative Director of body>data>space and a Research Associate Artist at ResCen. She works internationally as an artist, dramaturg, director, curator and presenter. She is a dance and performing arts specialist and an expert in body responsive interfaces and virtual/physical body networks. She has evolved an in-depth knowledge of the way in which the human user perceives, moves, gestures and participates, communicates and behaves within intelligent space. Ghislaine prioritises the user mode in the process and has developed a particular expertise since the mid-nineties in remote body/space connectivity through real-time telepresence. Her focus, and that of body>data>space, is on the ever increasing blend between the virtual and the physical and its implications for presence and liveness. The group engage in projects worldwide to evolve interfaces that place the human body at the centre of digital interaction.
Why: Lee works at the cutting edge of new user testing techniques, having founded WhatUsersDo to expand the reach of user research beyond the lab environment. He comes to MEX to talk about how user research is evolving as services begin to span multiple digital touchpoints and lead the Pathway #17 working sessions on improving user insight.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: I am passionate about improving digital experiences for everyone. I've sat in too many meetings where designers, developers and managers made business critical decisions based upon their own hunches. They almost never consider how and why people use their digital services. I think they should. That's why I founded WhatUsersDo - so that organisations can base digital design decisions on UX insight (and not hunches). Over the past few years we have secured enterprise clients including Virgin Atlantic, Standard Life, O2 and Sage as well as thousands of smaller website owners who use our PAYG service. I have over 20 years experience of leading multi-disciplinary teams building innovative online propositions.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: I am passionate about improving digital experiences for everyone. I've sat in too many meetings where designers, developers and managers made business critical decisions based upon their own hunches. They almost never consider how and why people use their digital services. I think they should. That's why I founded WhatUsersDo - so that organisations can base digital design decisions on UX insight (and not hunches). Over the past few years we have secured enterprise clients including Virgin Atlantic, Standard Life, O2 and Sage as well as thousands of smaller website owners who use our PAYG service. I have over 20 years experience of leading multi-disciplinary teams building innovative online propositions.
Why: Melody comes to MEX to share her understanding of how users manage photos across multiple digital touchpoints, a knowledge acquired building this feature for the world's largest social network, Facebook. In addition to her practical expertise, we were impressed how Melody's background gave her real exposure to user behaviour, working directly with customer support in the early days of her time at Facebook. She has combined this with her language skills to help refine the way Facebook communicates new features to users, an essential part of the UX.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: Melody Quintana is a content strategist at Facebook. She uses language to shape products for over a billion people, including Facebook Photos, Camera, and the new Poke app. Melody started her career as a help center writer, and she's been keen on finding simple ways to communicate ever since. A fan of contrasts, Melody is a detail-obsessed big thinker, a nature-loving urbanite and an analog book-reading tech enthusiast. She lives in San Francisco.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: Melody Quintana is a content strategist at Facebook. She uses language to shape products for over a billion people, including Facebook Photos, Camera, and the new Poke app. Melody started her career as a help center writer, and she's been keen on finding simple ways to communicate ever since. A fan of contrasts, Melody is a detail-obsessed big thinker, a nature-loving urbanite and an analog book-reading tech enthusiast. She lives in San Francisco.
Why: Alex has been a driving force behind the growing hardware movement in the UK. Taking a connected object from initial idea to mass production has given her a deep understanding of the challenges for hardware start-ups in a world that has been dominated by software for so long. There is more to connected hardware than fitness wearables! She is a vocal member of the Internet of Things community in London and I look forward to hearing her speak to a user experience audience.
-- Andrew Muir Wood, Research Director, MEX
Bio: Alexandra Deschamps-Sonsino is an interaction designer and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Good Night Lamp, a family of internet-connected lamps. She also leads Designswarm an 'internet of things' design studio and consultancy and works with clients who want to design next generation connected products. She also uses her expertise to help shape early business ideas around smart products. Her work has been exhibited at The Victoria and Albert Museum and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. From 2007 to 2010, she co-founded and ran Tinker London, a smart product design studio. Focused on creating connected product experiences that linked the digital to the physical, Tinker was the first distributor of the Arduino platform in the UK, ran workshops around the world and offered design and consultancy services. She is also involved in organising technology and design community events in London such as the Internet of Things meetup and This Happened London. Alexandra has been focused on the 'internet of things' and its implications in the design of everyday products since 2005.
-- Andrew Muir Wood, Research Director, MEX
Bio: Alexandra Deschamps-Sonsino is an interaction designer and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Good Night Lamp, a family of internet-connected lamps. She also leads Designswarm an 'internet of things' design studio and consultancy and works with clients who want to design next generation connected products. She also uses her expertise to help shape early business ideas around smart products. Her work has been exhibited at The Victoria and Albert Museum and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. From 2007 to 2010, she co-founded and ran Tinker London, a smart product design studio. Focused on creating connected product experiences that linked the digital to the physical, Tinker was the first distributor of the Arduino platform in the UK, ran workshops around the world and offered design and consultancy services. She is also involved in organising technology and design community events in London such as the Internet of Things meetup and This Happened London. Alexandra has been focused on the 'internet of things' and its implications in the design of everyday products since 2005.
Why: Simon is one of the world's most experienced mobile developers, his work in this area dating back to early mobile computers built on Symbian and Windows CE. He joins us at MEX to share his perspective on the creation process for mobile services, combining his practical knowledge of software development with day-to-day experience of managing the relationships between client, developers and designers. He will focus particularly on how developers and designers can work more effectively as the complexity of digital service creation increases.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: Simon started in mobile in 1996 and has extensive experience of developing apps across Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, Symbian, Qt, Java ME, iOS and Android. Clients have included Vodafone, Oracle, Philips Research, Symbian, Sony Ericsson, Ordnance Survey, Visit London and The University of Surrey. Today, Simon works on mainly Android design and development. Simon is the author of the popular mobilephonedevelopment.com blog.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: Simon started in mobile in 1996 and has extensive experience of developing apps across Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, Symbian, Qt, Java ME, iOS and Android. Clients have included Vodafone, Oracle, Philips Research, Symbian, Sony Ericsson, Ordnance Survey, Visit London and The University of Surrey. Today, Simon works on mainly Android design and development. Simon is the author of the popular mobilephonedevelopment.com blog.
Why: We met Jon through a former MEX participant and were immediately impressed by the depth of his mobile design expertise. He comes to MEX in a dual role, both as the facilitator of Pathway #14 on context aware digital experiences, and an inspirational speaker sharing his ideas on how mobile can fit seamlessly into the flow of life. His recent work at the renowned design agency Artefact has focused on the increasing volume of digital noise in users' lives and how we create new experiences with better life balance.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: Jon Mann has more than 12 years of experience in mobile and consumer electronics, crafting unique user experiences that bridge design, technology and business strategy, delivering innovative solutions for companies like T-Mobile, Casio, Good Technology, Volkswagen AG and more. As a design director of cross-disciplinary creative teams, he weaves design, prototyping and storytelling to promote innovation through an organisation. A self-confessed gadget geek, he leverages nascent technologies and consumer trends to forecast and create the future. Jon holds a Masters degree in Product Design from Stanford University where he catalysed his perspectives on design thinking, business strategy and a healthy dose of Silicon Valley technology.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: Jon Mann has more than 12 years of experience in mobile and consumer electronics, crafting unique user experiences that bridge design, technology and business strategy, delivering innovative solutions for companies like T-Mobile, Casio, Good Technology, Volkswagen AG and more. As a design director of cross-disciplinary creative teams, he weaves design, prototyping and storytelling to promote innovation through an organisation. A self-confessed gadget geek, he leverages nascent technologies and consumer trends to forecast and create the future. Jon holds a Masters degree in Product Design from Stanford University where he catalysed his perspectives on design thinking, business strategy and a healthy dose of Silicon Valley technology.
Why: Yuli pushes the boundaries of music experience. His apps and installations allow the listener to participate in music through movement and context. Listening becomes a dynamic, interactive experience that results in a unique sound each time. I am excited to hear him speak about the evolution of music on mobile devices and to have a go on his latest installation.
-- Andrew Muir Wood, Research Director, MEX
Bio: Yuli is co-founder and director of Reactify; a unique music production company focussing on formats of music that go beyond simply listening. Projects include sound installations, mobile apps, games and web-based tools, and span the landscape of generative, interactive and reactive music.
-- Andrew Muir Wood, Research Director, MEX
Bio: Yuli is co-founder and director of Reactify; a unique music production company focussing on formats of music that go beyond simply listening. Projects include sound installations, mobile apps, games and web-based tools, and span the landscape of generative, interactive and reactive music.
Why: A seasoned practitioner across many different digital touchpoints, Victor has shaped the user experience at some of the biggest brands in the world. I was particularly interested in his automotive work, which stretches way beyond the confines of the car, examining the bigger picture of mobility. This continues our interest in the growing digitisation of the car industry which was initiated at MEX by Sam Livingstone and Joe Simpson from Car Design Research in September 2012 and was very prominent at this year's CES and MWC.
-- Andrew Muir Wood, Research Director, MEX
Bio: Somewhere between studying Psychology and Urban Planning, Victor came across this thing we call Interaction Design. Since then he's created products and services that live in your home, pocket and car for the likes of Yahoo!, Samsung, and Intel.
-- Andrew Muir Wood, Research Director, MEX
Bio: Somewhere between studying Psychology and Urban Planning, Victor came across this thing we call Interaction Design. Since then he's created products and services that live in your home, pocket and car for the likes of Yahoo!, Samsung, and Intel.
Why: Like many of our best speakers, Paul was introduced to us by a MEX alumnus, and comes to the event to share years of experience working with audible interactions. In addition to being part of the team which created the ground-breaking Papa Sangre, a game driven by audible UX, Paul leads creative agency Something Else. His session will respond to the issues raised in Pathway #9, our exploration of non-visual and sensory interfaces.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: Paul Bennun is Chief Creative Officer of Somethin' Else - the leading content design and creation company - and the Chair of Artangel (the UK's leading art commissioner). In the top 10 of Broadcast Magazine's hottest 100 in the UK media industry, Paul leads Somethin' Else's digital output and future product / business strategy. He holds internationally recognised awards in games, radio, mobile technology and interactive broadcasting such as BAFTA Awards, Sony Radio Academy Awards and the GSM Association Awards. A long-running BAFTA video games juror he also co-authored a British Government report on digital music and is an artistic collaborator with several Artangel artists, writer John Berger, Theatre de Complicite and Rotozaza. Paul also presents science, technology and usability programmes for the BBC.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: Paul Bennun is Chief Creative Officer of Somethin' Else - the leading content design and creation company - and the Chair of Artangel (the UK's leading art commissioner). In the top 10 of Broadcast Magazine's hottest 100 in the UK media industry, Paul leads Somethin' Else's digital output and future product / business strategy. He holds internationally recognised awards in games, radio, mobile technology and interactive broadcasting such as BAFTA Awards, Sony Radio Academy Awards and the GSM Association Awards. A long-running BAFTA video games juror he also co-authored a British Government report on digital music and is an artistic collaborator with several Artangel artists, writer John Berger, Theatre de Complicite and Rotozaza. Paul also presents science, technology and usability programmes for the BBC.
Why: Leo's background in design and usability speaks for itself, gaining his degree from Eindhoven University and going on to global roles at Philips Research. He comes to MEX to share insights into non-visual UIs, with a particular emphasis on audible interactions, drawn from a PhD in user interfaces for the blind and specialist work at Akendi. In addition to speaking on this topic, he is the facilitator for the Pathway #9 working sessions.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: Technically everything is possible, making it work for people is where the real challenges are. Addressing these challenges from an end-user perspective in a way that makes business sense is what has driven Leo throughout his career. With more than 15 year of experience he is able to bring an ability of strong lateral thinking combined with very broad domain knowledge of applications/markets and technical enablers. Leo graduated from Eindhoven University of Technology in Information Technology and holds a Ph.D. on 'Visualising Graphical User Interfaces for Blind Users'. He has held several senior positions at Philips Research with global responsibilities. Leo is based in Cambridge, UK where he has founded 2 start-ups, is a non-executive director of Health Enterprise East, Champions the Business Special Interest Group of Cambridge Wireless and, out of personal interest, is the secretary of Comberton Renewable Energy group.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: Technically everything is possible, making it work for people is where the real challenges are. Addressing these challenges from an end-user perspective in a way that makes business sense is what has driven Leo throughout his career. With more than 15 year of experience he is able to bring an ability of strong lateral thinking combined with very broad domain knowledge of applications/markets and technical enablers. Leo graduated from Eindhoven University of Technology in Information Technology and holds a Ph.D. on 'Visualising Graphical User Interfaces for Blind Users'. He has held several senior positions at Philips Research with global responsibilities. Leo is based in Cambridge, UK where he has founded 2 start-ups, is a non-executive director of Health Enterprise East, Champions the Business Special Interest Group of Cambridge Wireless and, out of personal interest, is the secretary of Comberton Renewable Energy group.
Why: Oli is pioneering new thinking around context aware digital experiences. At MEX he will expand on how mobile services can build, and respond to, a deeper understanding of individual users and their changing behaviour. His design experience spans multiple digital platforms, providing him with deep insight into the complete picture of users' lives.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: Oli Shaw is a design strategist at Fluxx uk. He created his first homepage in 1995 on GeoCities and gone on to work in a range of industries from media to telecoms, finance to electronics and consumer goods, for clients which include: Nokia, BSkyB, Orange, UBS, Panasonic and Adidas to name but a few. In his 12 years in the industry, he's gained extensive experience spanning; online, interactive TV, mobile, interactive narratives and installations. Moving between the worlds of advertising to products and services.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: Oli Shaw is a design strategist at Fluxx uk. He created his first homepage in 1995 on GeoCities and gone on to work in a range of industries from media to telecoms, finance to electronics and consumer goods, for clients which include: Nokia, BSkyB, Orange, UBS, Panasonic and Adidas to name but a few. In his 12 years in the industry, he's gained extensive experience spanning; online, interactive TV, mobile, interactive narratives and installations. Moving between the worlds of advertising to products and services.
Why: Priya's diverse work has always been driven by interests in sustainability and social enterprise. Since leaving her role as Head of Mobiles Phones UX at Nokia, she has founded her own venture focused in this area. I'm delighted to welcome her back to MEX as facilitator for the Sustainability Pathway, where she continues a long association with the MEX initiative, which has seen her give 2 memorable speaking sessions over the years.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: Priya is the founder of Design for Social Change. Prior to this, Priya joined Nokia in 2009 and worked as Creative Director for User Experience. She was later appointed as Head of Series 30 and Series 40. She went on to become the head of Mobile Phones UX Design, leading an international team of designers passionate about making high-end experiences accessible and affordable to billions of people globally. Priya enjoys designing for billions of people and helping to improve their daily lives through the ways they can use their mobile phones. She is passionate about crafting simple and fun design to enable people to use innovative tools, conversations and experiences. Before Nokia, she has worked in various roles, such as interaction designer, implementation manager, creative director, innovation executive, saleswoman, entrepreneur and head of product. When not working, she is fascinated by mundane habits and daily behaviours. Prakash is a RSA fellow with a MA in Interaction Design from Royal College of Art.
-- Marek Pawlowski, Founder, MEX
Bio: Priya is the founder of Design for Social Change. Prior to this, Priya joined Nokia in 2009 and worked as Creative Director for User Experience. She was later appointed as Head of Series 30 and Series 40. She went on to become the head of Mobile Phones UX Design, leading an international team of designers passionate about making high-end experiences accessible and affordable to billions of people globally. Priya enjoys designing for billions of people and helping to improve their daily lives through the ways they can use their mobile phones. She is passionate about crafting simple and fun design to enable people to use innovative tools, conversations and experiences. Before Nokia, she has worked in various roles, such as interaction designer, implementation manager, creative director, innovation executive, saleswoman, entrepreneur and head of product. When not working, she is fascinated by mundane habits and daily behaviours. Prakash is a RSA fellow with a MA in Interaction Design from Royal College of Art.
Why: I invited Peter to MEX because of his broad vision for the role of context aware computing and deep knowledge of how the underlying architecture translates into consumer experiences. In addition to his presentation, Peter and his team have been working closely with MEX on the research behind Pathway #14 and the design challenge for the working sessions.
Bio: Peter works at Qualcomm, the world leader in 3G and next-generation mobile technologies, where he leads Product Management within Qualcomm's subsidiary Xiam Technologies. Peter's focus is on giving mobile devices a virtual sixth sense by utilising machine intelligence, sensors and context. He works closely with both designers and engineers, creating user benefit, and understanding and solving a myriad of design challenges. The current focus is a product called Consia, an on-device software product which automatically adapts how mobile devices function based on the context and usage patterns of individual users. Peter is co-author of Essentials of Mobile Handset Design, a recently published work that looks at the complex blend of design and technology factors needed to create great devices. He leads the team who create the annual Future of Wireless International Conference, run by Cambridge Wireless, where he is also a board member.
Bio: Peter works at Qualcomm, the world leader in 3G and next-generation mobile technologies, where he leads Product Management within Qualcomm's subsidiary Xiam Technologies. Peter's focus is on giving mobile devices a virtual sixth sense by utilising machine intelligence, sensors and context. He works closely with both designers and engineers, creating user benefit, and understanding and solving a myriad of design challenges. The current focus is a product called Consia, an on-device software product which automatically adapts how mobile devices function based on the context and usage patterns of individual users. Peter is co-author of Essentials of Mobile Handset Design, a recently published work that looks at the complex blend of design and technology factors needed to create great devices. He leads the team who create the annual Future of Wireless International Conference, run by Cambridge Wireless, where he is also a board member.
Bio: Joe Simpson is a research consultant working in the automotive design industry. With Car Design Research, Joe works on projects with the design groups of major automotive OEMs, which have recently included BMW, Renault and Toyota. The firm work with companies at a strategic level, with much of Joe's work focusing on qualitative consumer research insight - typically delivered in video format. Helping car companies to understand the impact of technological change is another major focus, Joe having spent 18 months working with Ford Motor Company in North America to increase awareness of its environmental technologies by engaging with online communities and specialist media. Joe is also a commentator on car design and on the intersection of technology and mobility. He currently writes for Wired Magazine, Stuff, Pocket-Lint, Car Design News and Interior Motives. He is a research supervisor at the Royal College of Art and has previously worked for master planning firm AECOM (nee EDAW) on the London 2012 Olympic park.
Why: Kate returns to MEX after pioneering the initial work on Pathway #3, looking at simultaneous multi-person interfaces, back in December 2010. I am constantly amazed by her knowledge of this young area, her enthusiasm for breaking new ground and her ability to lead teams exploring its possibilities. Using her experience of creating multi-person UIs for tables and tablets, she will help participants understand how UI design changes when it moves from being about a single person to multiple people simultaneously.
Bio: Having been passionate about computers since my first ZX Spectrum, I've been fascinated about how we can make software easier to use. My quest has lead me through a BSc in Computer Science, then a MSc in Technology Management at Manchester - where my dissertation looked at what resources and expertise people drew upon in understanding how to use software. It then lead me to a PhD in requirements techniques so that I can further understand how we can facilitate better user-designer relationships. Currently, I am lucky enough to be the Managing Director of Interface3 - a niche technology production agency. Back in 2009, we started out building apps for interactive tables; since then we have expanded to delivering engaging experiences across a wide variety of technologies. Whether this is working on augmented reality, building mobile games or designing immersive digital experiences, we're that niche production agency. We work with brands and other agencies to help them create awesome, engaging customer experiences.
Bio: Having been passionate about computers since my first ZX Spectrum, I've been fascinated about how we can make software easier to use. My quest has lead me through a BSc in Computer Science, then a MSc in Technology Management at Manchester - where my dissertation looked at what resources and expertise people drew upon in understanding how to use software. It then lead me to a PhD in requirements techniques so that I can further understand how we can facilitate better user-designer relationships. Currently, I am lucky enough to be the Managing Director of Interface3 - a niche technology production agency. Back in 2009, we started out building apps for interactive tables; since then we have expanded to delivering engaging experiences across a wide variety of technologies. Whether this is working on augmented reality, building mobile games or designing immersive digital experiences, we're that niche production agency. We work with brands and other agencies to help them create awesome, engaging customer experiences.
Why: I met Patrick as part of the ongoing research for MEX Pathway #9 about the role of audio and non-visual elements in mobile user experience. Amid the prototypes in his London office, he posed me a simple question: what if digital devices could sing data to each other? He comes to MEX for the first time to share what's he learnt building a system which does just that and to explore how audio can be at the heart of digital experience.
Bio: Patrick is Lord Creator of Chirp. As a creative technologist, he previously founded mobile search startup L6 Research, carried out research into sound control surfaces and ubiquitous computing systems, and latterly worked as a creative director for clients including Microsoft and Ray-Ban. Patrick is now also an Honorary Research Associate at University College London, Dept. of Computer Science, and the co-founder of Animal Systems. He likes birds, synthesizers, and so on.
Bio: Patrick is Lord Creator of Chirp. As a creative technologist, he previously founded mobile search startup L6 Research, carried out research into sound control surfaces and ubiquitous computing systems, and latterly worked as a creative director for clients including Microsoft and Ray-Ban. Patrick is now also an Honorary Research Associate at University College London, Dept. of Computer Science, and the co-founder of Animal Systems. He likes birds, synthesizers, and so on.
Why: James leads the working sessions on Pathway #16, our exploration of how speed influences mobile user experience. His breadth of expertise, acquired while crafting digital strategies for some of the world's best known brands, is matched by specialist mobile knowledge gained while launching services for internet banking pioneer Egg. This combination provides an ideal basis to facilitate a Pathway intended to re-imagine what speed in the UX means, across not just technical measures but when seen through the often fickle lens of customer perception. It is also a pleasure to welcome back one of the partners at The Foundation 7 years since its founder Charlie Dawson spoke at the first MEX.
Bio: James is a highly innovative and practical business creator, builder and strategist. He is currently a Partner of The Foundation, a leading specialist growth consultancy (where he has worked with clients including Marks and Spencer, O2, Just Giving, Barclaycard, The Guardian, Save the Children, Friends Life, Old Mutual, HSBC and Standard Life), a Trustee for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and a Trustee and former CEO of Green Thing (www.dothegreenthing.com), a public service that inspires people to lead a greener life. James was previously a Founder of Zopa (www.zopa.com), the world's first marketplace where people meet to lend and borrow money. Prior to Zopa he was Strategy Director at Egg. He joined Egg to create new things launching Egg's digital TV and mobile services and the UK's first and most successful account aggregation service. Before Egg, James worked at LEK Consulting, where he developed the business case for Smile, Co-operative Bank's Internet bank. James holds an MBA from INSEAD and a first class honours degree from University College, London. He loves spending time with his family and bird watching - and in 1990, during an expedition to Sao Tome and Principe, helped rediscover 3 species of bird that had been considered by many extinct.
Bio: James is a highly innovative and practical business creator, builder and strategist. He is currently a Partner of The Foundation, a leading specialist growth consultancy (where he has worked with clients including Marks and Spencer, O2, Just Giving, Barclaycard, The Guardian, Save the Children, Friends Life, Old Mutual, HSBC and Standard Life), a Trustee for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and a Trustee and former CEO of Green Thing (www.dothegreenthing.com), a public service that inspires people to lead a greener life. James was previously a Founder of Zopa (www.zopa.com), the world's first marketplace where people meet to lend and borrow money. Prior to Zopa he was Strategy Director at Egg. He joined Egg to create new things launching Egg's digital TV and mobile services and the UK's first and most successful account aggregation service. Before Egg, James worked at LEK Consulting, where he developed the business case for Smile, Co-operative Bank's Internet bank. James holds an MBA from INSEAD and a first class honours degree from University College, London. He loves spending time with his family and bird watching - and in 1990, during an expedition to Sao Tome and Principe, helped rediscover 3 species of bird that had been considered by many extinct.
Why: Sabrina responded to the initial MEX essays on context aware experiences and I was quickly impressed by how she focused on elegant user experiences over complex technology. Her recent work on social TV at Miso has provided first hand exposure to the trust, technology and UI issues at the heart of Pathway #14. Sabrina comes to MEX for the first time to share practical lessons and strategic insight direct from the challenging environment of a young start-up.
Bio: Sabrina has spent the past year designing iPhone apps at Miso, where she's been dedicated to figuring out how to leverage existing trends in smartphone and tablet use to make TV watching better and more social. Prior to that she focused on visual design for some of Intuit's early iPhone efforts, after graduating from Carnegie Mellon's communication design and human-computer interaction programs.
Bio: Sabrina has spent the past year designing iPhone apps at Miso, where she's been dedicated to figuring out how to leverage existing trends in smartphone and tablet use to make TV watching better and more social. Prior to that she focused on visual design for some of Intuit's early iPhone efforts, after graduating from Carnegie Mellon's communication design and human-computer interaction programs.
Further reading...
@sabrina
@sabrina
Why: Ivo returns to MEX after a highly regarded session in December 2010, where he set out guidelines for improving mobile UX performance. The session subsequently formed the basis of a widely read UX Magazine article. In September 2012, he brings new insights from his work on the Ubuntu OS, where he leads the team challenged with building user experience across PC, TV and mobile. Ivo's methodological approach and ability to easily communicate the complex nuances of his work will be a valuable contribution to MEX Pathway #2.
Bio: Ivo heads up the talented design team for Ubuntu, the most popular open-source operating system. Ubuntu is used by over 20 million people in over 240 countries in more than 80 languages. Examples are 2000 schools in Andalusia, the French police force, and rural communities in India. The team's goal is to make Ubuntu appealing, usable and accessible on PCs, devices and other media to help technology becoming available for everybody. He has over 12 years of design experience in creating high-quality mobile, web, and product experiences. He has worked in the telecom, social media, banking, travel, entertainment, medical and car industries.
Bio: Ivo heads up the talented design team for Ubuntu, the most popular open-source operating system. Ubuntu is used by over 20 million people in over 240 countries in more than 80 languages. Examples are 2000 schools in Andalusia, the French police force, and rural communities in India. The team's goal is to make Ubuntu appealing, usable and accessible on PCs, devices and other media to help technology becoming available for everybody. He has over 12 years of design experience in creating high-quality mobile, web, and product experiences. He has worked in the telecom, social media, banking, travel, entertainment, medical and car industries.
Why: Charlotte's extensive experience with developing audio, haptic and gestural interfaces that go beyond purely visual interactions brings valuable inspiration to MEX Pathway #9. Her user-centred approach was immediately obvious when we met for the first time at Mobile World Congress, where Charlotte was handing out a decks of persona and situation cards, developed by her team as part of the Haptimap project. The cards were designed to keep the team focused on the reality of users' lives when pushing the boundaries of the technology in the lab and a great example of how user-centred methodology has been at the heart of Charlotte's approach.
Bio: Charlotte Magnusson is Associate Professor at the Department of Design Sciences, Lund University, Sweden. She has been doing research in the field of interaction design using touch, gestures and sound since 2000, and has been in the field of inclusive design since 1993. The sense of touch, together with gestures and sounds (in fact, all the non-visual interaction channels) are as yet sadly undervalued and underused in most applications today. Yet these modalities are becoming increasingly important for good mobile user experiences. One can no longer just focus on the screen in the mobile use situation; the use is embedded in a context where people and events in the environment may need your attention. Charlotte is currently coordinating the European research project HaptiMap (haptimap.org) and brings to MEX research in the field, a number of examples illustrating how non-visual interaction can be beneficial, as well as tools intended to make it easier for designers and developers to design for better mobile user experiences.
Bio: Charlotte Magnusson is Associate Professor at the Department of Design Sciences, Lund University, Sweden. She has been doing research in the field of interaction design using touch, gestures and sound since 2000, and has been in the field of inclusive design since 1993. The sense of touch, together with gestures and sounds (in fact, all the non-visual interaction channels) are as yet sadly undervalued and underused in most applications today. Yet these modalities are becoming increasingly important for good mobile user experiences. One can no longer just focus on the screen in the mobile use situation; the use is embedded in a context where people and events in the environment may need your attention. Charlotte is currently coordinating the European research project HaptiMap (haptimap.org) and brings to MEX research in the field, a number of examples illustrating how non-visual interaction can be beneficial, as well as tools intended to make it easier for designers and developers to design for better mobile user experiences.
Why: I was fascinated by the environment for which Marcelle creates UX, where complex financial actions must be presented across several different digital touchpoints, often in time constrained and high pressure roles. She shares her extensive experience of working in the financial sector and the broader lessons learnt about achieving performance and good experience for services delivered across multiple screens and devices - a subject at the heart of MEX Pathway #2.
Bio: Marcelle has over 20 years of experience leading user experience design efforts in the financial services sector including clients like Barclays Bank and Goldman Sachs. Her work ranges from critical decision making tools used by experts to consumer UX. At Fincore, Marcelle is responsible for multi-touchpoint UX solutions serving sectors as diverse as financial services, aerospace and the public sector. Driven by demand, the latest UX designs need to present complex information and interactions consistently across devices ranging from mobiles to tablets to desktop browsers. Marcelle will be sharing how she and her team are using insights from semiotics, linguistics and psychology to provide users with a common language they can easily recognise in each touch point and thus giving them a consistent experience across multiple touchpoints.
Bio: Marcelle has over 20 years of experience leading user experience design efforts in the financial services sector including clients like Barclays Bank and Goldman Sachs. Her work ranges from critical decision making tools used by experts to consumer UX. At Fincore, Marcelle is responsible for multi-touchpoint UX solutions serving sectors as diverse as financial services, aerospace and the public sector. Driven by demand, the latest UX designs need to present complex information and interactions consistently across devices ranging from mobiles to tablets to desktop browsers. Marcelle will be sharing how she and her team are using insights from semiotics, linguistics and psychology to provide users with a common language they can easily recognise in each touch point and thus giving them a consistent experience across multiple touchpoints.
Why: Nancy's creative approach to design research and strategy broadens the scope of Pathway #3, expanding beyond the original premise of designing for multiple users of a single device and instead considering how several devices could be part of one simultaneous experience. I was impressed by how her thinking was rooted in use cases from the outset, bringing human understanding to a potentially complex tangle of technology. Nancy's speaking session looks specifically at the role of concurrency and simultaneous interface design in education, an area ripe for exploration.
Bio: Nancy is a design researcher and strategist. She has been exploring the digital media and tech fields for over 20 years. Nancy's inquisitive mind walks around an issue, observing it from many angles. She then transforms the observations into useful things for people. She has taught at universities, worked for the government, and has been playing in the mobile space for over a decade - longer if you count the Newton. Her capacity for detailed observation and uncovering needs also makes her a great gift-giver. Nancy holds an MA in Photography from the International Centre of Photography/New York University. And a law degree. And she used to edit sound on Nagra decks without a grease pencil.
Bio: Nancy is a design researcher and strategist. She has been exploring the digital media and tech fields for over 20 years. Nancy's inquisitive mind walks around an issue, observing it from many angles. She then transforms the observations into useful things for people. She has taught at universities, worked for the government, and has been playing in the mobile space for over a decade - longer if you count the Newton. Her capacity for detailed observation and uncovering needs also makes her a great gift-giver. Nancy holds an MA in Photography from the International Centre of Photography/New York University. And a law degree. And she used to edit sound on Nagra decks without a grease pencil.
Further reading...
@errances
@errances
Why: Geoff's enthusiasm for experience-led design is matched by his wealth of knowledge across numerous industry sectors. He leads the working sessions on MEX Pathway #2, helping the team to define best practice for multi-touchpoint digital experiences, where applications combine several devices, sensors or screens to create an overall experience greater than the sum of its parts. I am delighted he is able to participate in September 2012, continuing a long tradition of partnership with Alloy, dating back to pioneering work on experience-led mobile device concepts in 2004.
Bio: Geoff has worked as a consultant in the design industry for over 15 years. In that time he has worked with some of the worlds most famous and successful designers, where his role was to help designers, companies and brands to maximise the commercial effectiveness of design. His experience covers a diverse range of sectors, including developing a mobile petrol retail station, an interior design system for VIP aircraft, hydrogen powered vehicles, packaging strategies for FMCG brands, innovation programmes utilising Asian sourcing and innovation studies for The British Government. It is this breadth of experience that he values most. He is a Director of Alloy, one of the world's most experienced product design agencies in the communications industry with over 1,000 projects completed in the last 8 years. Geoff's role at Alloy is to work with companies to structure strategic design engagements that will result in the most effective outcome, and whose results are measured across sales, margins, innovation effectiveness and market entry strategies. Geoff is a Director of British Design Innovation (BDI), and also recently established UK China Partners, a membership organisation that helps to develop trade between UK Creative Industries and Chinese businesses and Government. While he is neither a designer nor technologist, Geoff is inspired by the possibilities enabled by the adoption of digital technologies, and sees the role of user experience in defining how such technologies should be deployed to create better lives for all.
Bio: Geoff has worked as a consultant in the design industry for over 15 years. In that time he has worked with some of the worlds most famous and successful designers, where his role was to help designers, companies and brands to maximise the commercial effectiveness of design. His experience covers a diverse range of sectors, including developing a mobile petrol retail station, an interior design system for VIP aircraft, hydrogen powered vehicles, packaging strategies for FMCG brands, innovation programmes utilising Asian sourcing and innovation studies for The British Government. It is this breadth of experience that he values most. He is a Director of Alloy, one of the world's most experienced product design agencies in the communications industry with over 1,000 projects completed in the last 8 years. Geoff's role at Alloy is to work with companies to structure strategic design engagements that will result in the most effective outcome, and whose results are measured across sales, margins, innovation effectiveness and market entry strategies. Geoff is a Director of British Design Innovation (BDI), and also recently established UK China Partners, a membership organisation that helps to develop trade between UK Creative Industries and Chinese businesses and Government. While he is neither a designer nor technologist, Geoff is inspired by the possibilities enabled by the adoption of digital technologies, and sees the role of user experience in defining how such technologies should be deployed to create better lives for all.
Why: Peter has been a key part of the Qualcomm team shaping Pathway #14 on context aware experiences in partnership with MEX. A participant at several previous MEX, Peter returns in September 2012 to facilitate the working sessions on Pathway #14, sharing the benefit of his ongoing research into this area and personal enthusiasm for creating new thinking in digital user experience.
Bio: Peter is a seasoned multi-disciplinary user experience researcher at Qualcomm Research Cambridge. A passion for accessibility and usability helps him design creative and usable solutions. His portfolio spans a variety of UX projects in the wireless industry with clients in Europe, North America and Asia. Peter started his career pushing pixels at a design and marketing agency, cutting his teeth on traditional and digital media, from branding and print to web-sites and mobile solutions. He joined Qualcomm in 2006, where he continues to strive for pixel perfection while brainstorming UX concepts. His current focus is researching contextual awareness for mobile devices.
Bio: Peter is a seasoned multi-disciplinary user experience researcher at Qualcomm Research Cambridge. A passion for accessibility and usability helps him design creative and usable solutions. His portfolio spans a variety of UX projects in the wireless industry with clients in Europe, North America and Asia. Peter started his career pushing pixels at a design and marketing agency, cutting his teeth on traditional and digital media, from branding and print to web-sites and mobile solutions. He joined Qualcomm in 2006, where he continues to strive for pixel perfection while brainstorming UX concepts. His current focus is researching contextual awareness for mobile devices.
Bio: When we were thinking about how best to celebrate the 10th anniversary edition of MEX, it seemed entirely natural to ask Priya Prakash to return to present the opening session of the event. Her 2009 MEX session on balancing commercial imperatives and the purity of user experience was universally enjoyed and it is a great pleasure to welcome her back after two and half years to address Pathway #13 on quiet design principles. Priya joined Nokia in 2009 and worked as Creative Director for User Experience. She was later appointed as Head of Series 30 and Series 40. Currently as the head of Mobile Phones UX Design, she leads an international team of designers who are passionate about making high-end experiences accessible and affordable to billions of people globally. Priya enjoys designing for billions of people and helping to improve their daily lives through the ways they can use their mobile phones. She is passionate about crafting simple and fun design to enable people to use innovative tools, conversations and experiences. Before Nokia, she has worked in various roles, such as interaction designer, implementation manager, creative director, innovation executive, saleswoman, entrepreneur and head of product. When not working, she is fascinated by mundane habits and daily behaviours. Prakash is a RSA fellow with a MA in Interaction Design from Royal College of Art.
Bio: We invited Ben to MEX after watching how his deep knowledge of user behaviour, language and mobile technology led to the creation of one the great Android success stories: SwiftKey. Ben's team developed the popular SwiftKey application for Android, using A.I. to improve the experience of typing on mobile devices. His session at MEX will focus on Pathway #12, investigating the emergence of 'inference technologies' to model the decision making abilities of the human brain. The talk will touch on the philosophy of cognition and look at some of the tools available for tackling inference problems. After completing a PhD at Cambridge University in computational linguistics, Ben co-founded TouchType, an innovative London-based tech company building next generation text entry software for mobile devices.
Bio: Jim comes to MEX to share a particularly challenging experience, where he worked for several years to build a digital monument for victims of war crimes. The resulting project focused on the audible channel of mobile devices to help children understand and learn from their country's history. Jim grew up in a family of engineers but somehow ended up in art school, and has been working on everything from design research for mobile devices to snowboard graphics ever since. Most recently a research associate at Horizon Digital Economy Research and lead mobile user experience designer for Samsung Design Europe, Jim also worked for and with a wide range of clients including Microsoft Research, The British Music Experience, Playfish/EA Games and Google. His focus, whether working with genocide survivors in Rwanda, European retirees, British teens or London skateboarders, is about making this whole modern mess that is design, technology and services liveable and meaningful.
Bio: We asked Alexander to join MEX after being inspired by the beautiful design of the Jambox, Icon and Era accessories developed by Jawbone. He will help provoke new ideas in Pathway #10, as well as touching on the issues of Pathway #5 through his work on the UP personal health product. He is is founder and Executive Chairman of London startup State, a global opinion network. Alexander was also the founding CEO of Jawbone (Aliph) and continues to serve as its Chairman. Jawbone is the world leader in mobile lifestyle products including Jawbone Icon and Era headsets, the Jambox speaker and UP personal health solutions. Alexander grew up in Beirut and London before receiving his BSc & MSc in Engineering Design at Stanford University.
Bio: Charles brings special insight to MEX, with a background combining nearly 40 years in healthcare and IT systems. His knowledge and experience will help guide and provoke discussion in MEX Pathway #5 on best practice mobile healthcare experience. He was involved in major public sector modernisation and the Integrated Service Teams initiative within Cabinet Office. He led a review of the Social Exclusion Unit for the former Prime Minister, Tony Blair. He also worked with Matthew Taylor on an Institute of Public Policy Research study on Public Private Partnerships. He has had a number of jobs including chef, factory worker, buying and selling motorcycles (he loves and races Italian motorcycles) and selling insurance door to door. He started in the NHS in 1972 as a gardener and grave-digger in a psychiatric hospital; he then became an NHS management trainee based in the South East of England. Charles is an ardent advocate of greater patient involvement in care and self-management of conditions. A key step he promotes is patients having access to, and being custodians of their own medical information so as to enable self-management of their conditions. He is a passionate advocate of the use of technology from surgical robots to device technology in the provision of care. Charles is a serial entrepreneur and has served as a director and senior executive of both public and private companies and built his own businesses. He is currently Group Managing Director of HealthSystems Group.
Bio: Gavin will be sharing his experience as co-founder and Director of the Digital Accessibility Centre (DAC), helping MEX participants to understand the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities when using digital devices. This insight will provide valuable grounding for all of the Pathway areas, informing the working sessions and overall debate at MEX. Gavin's work spans public sector and private sector organisations. This includes working with media organisations such as Sky, BBC and currently consulting on all accessibility issues for online products at Channel 4. The Digital Accessibility Centre as a whole works with some of the UK's leading banks such as Lloyds TSB and Nationwide, auditing and consulting on the disabled user experience to ensure that the products are fully inclusive. The DAC is a not-for-profit social enterprise ensuring that all web and mobile products can be used by disabled people and in doing so provides employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Bio: Jason comes to MEX from the world of broadcasting, intrigued by the challenges and opportunities of using mobile devices in his industry. He is a TV and digital journalist with 20 years experience. He's worked with some of the biggest names in television news and for all three main news broadcasters in the UK: ITN, the BBC and Sky. His career began at the BBC as a reporter and producer, and helped launch the BBC News Channel in 1997. After a stint at Sky, he moved to ITN where he edited all ITV's main bulletins, including the evening news and News at Ten, both of which won the RTS News Programme of the Year Award under Jason's tenure. As digital became increasingly important, he took over the newly created role of editor of web development, responsible for the digital strategy for ITV national news, encompassing social, web and mobile. He is currently working with ITV to re-develop the ITV news web-site in early 2012, and mobile news gathering and broadcasting will be a core part of that. Jason wants to see how mobile can help us remove the shackles of broadcasting and allow his teams to file anything, from anywhere, at anytime.
Bio: Andrea's knowledge and understanding of user behaviour will help shape Pathway #12 at MEX, where we explore how improved understanding of innate behaviours enables better experiences. She holds an MSc in CyberPsychology and graduated from Harvard with an undergraduate degree in Psychology. She is a usability and user experience researcher and has worked across the media industry in project management and digital product strategy roles. For more than 10 years, Andrea has worked with brands such as MTV, VH1, Reebok, Virgin Media, and Dell to develop robust online experiences and mobile applications. She thrives on developing immersive and engaging digital products and has a healthy respect for robots and video games.
Bio: We invited Marcus to MEX for his deep knowledge of mobile accessories. Marcus has been helping shape the consumer product and mobile landscape since the mid-1990s. Initially with telecoms technology start-ups such as Pogo where, as Head of Design, he was responsible for design and new product development of its innovative GSM web-enabled mobile communications devices. Since 2003, as director of Native design, he has been creating iconic products and experiences for some of the world's most successful companies and brands. His session at MEX will focus on Pathway #10, looking at how smart accessories can transform the mobile user experience. His work in the audio accessories for mobile, including designs such as the award winning Zeppelin iPod dock for Bowers & Wilkins, gives him a unique perspective. Bringing his extensive commercial experience of taking complex technology-led products to market, Marcus is both a superbly gifted creative and a natural team leader. He has driven hugely influential innovation, product development and design programs for TomTom, B&W and Orange, winning numerous industry awards for his designs, including iF, D&AD and Gold IDSA.
Bio: Angel Salazar comes to MEX to share his knowledge of using mobile healthcare technology to put customers in control of their own wellness. He recently co-founded AIDA Technology, a platform enabling the orchestration of services and apps supporting the next generation of personal health and wellness portals. With a PhD from the University of Manchester, Angel is a senior lecturer in the 'Marketing, Operations and Digital Business' Department of the Manchester Metropolitan University Business School and a visiting academic at the Massachusetts Technical Institute's Sloan Management School, Eindhoven Technical University, and Universities of Jaen and Pablo de Olavide in Spain. He is an expert on business model innovation and, more recently and by necessity, a user experience practitioner. He has also worked as a health information management consultant for the Pan-American chapter of the World Health Organisation, during the first waves of health reform and liberalisation in the mid 1990s. He runs the Technology Venture series in Manchester, which brings together academics, entrepreneurs, investors and policy makers. His first computer was a RadioShack TRS-80, progamming in BASIC and Assembler, and his largest program so far, a bedside patient monitoring networked system written in C++ in the early nineties.
Bio: We invited Isobel to MEX to share insights from her recent study of augmented reality, responding to MEX Pathway #11. Isobel's experience, interaction design and user research encompass the full spectrum of digital interactions, with a strong focus on mobile applications. Her passion and vision for good user experience comes through the understanding of users and their motivations via observation and interaction with real users and theirenvironment. Isobel has been an enthusiastic member of the Qualcomm Cambridge UX team since 2005 and has worked on a broad range of UX projects from mobile application stores to intelligent user profiling. Coming from an industrial design background, her practical experience has encompassed all key aspects of UX: graphic design, interaction design, user testing, user research and ideation facilitation. As part of Qualcomm Cambridge Research (CAMRAD), Isobel runs a dedicated user testing lab and champions the use of real-world contextual inquiry as a vital part of the user research and ideation process.
Bio: We invited Nicholas to MEX because of his vast strategic experience in driving the evolution of media formats, which will help provoke new ideas in MEX Pathway #2. Nicholas has had a transmedia career working in newspapers, radio, television and new media. For the past eight years he built ITN's multimedia proposition from scratch into a successful stand alone business, always making sure the company was in the forefront of latest thinking. Under his leadership ITN was the first with video news on 3G, first with a made-for-mobile video news channel and among the leaders to switch from paid-for models to advertising funded. He left ITN last year to work on new ventures after more than 30 years in various corporate roles. Prior to his new technology conversion in 2002 Nicholas ran radio stations LBC and News Direct and before that was Programme Controller at Capital Radio. During ten years at Capital where he carried out a number of roles he was also responsible for starting an award-winning evening news and showbiz programme The Way it Is.
Further reading...
@Ven2Media
@Ven2Media
Bio: Mo comes to MEX to explore the how consumers experience media across multiple digital touchpoints, focusing on the themes of Pathway #2. Mo Firouzabadian is Head of Connected Devices of Lumata. He leads Lumata's social content solutions for hardware manufacturers and operators. Prior to Lumata, Mo was at Buongiorno, leader in mobile connected life, responsible for Buongiorno's business to operator product offering globally, as well as opening Buongiorno's operations in Turkey. He has worked across strategy, business development, product development, technology, marketing, CRM and organisational transformation. He has been working with the top global hardware manufacturers, wireline and wireless telecommunication companies, media companies and FMCGs. Before joining Buongiorno, Mo worked at the start-up ZedGravity focused on monetising narrow-band networks with rich media communication.
Bio: Christoph is working at the leading edge of gestural interface developments, bringing to MEX his insight into the new MagiTact technology. He has worked in digital projects and content since 1996, founding his first startup in 1999. Since 2002, he's been particularly involved with the mobile internet industry and co-founded the Berlin chapter of MobileMonday in 2008. He continues to organise and host MoMo Berlin's quarterly events, with a mission to make the industry more transparent and accessible. In 2010/11, Christoph ran the inaugural semesters of the Berlin Founder Institute, helping entrepreneurs to shape their ideas and businesses in ways that make them sustainable and fundable. He's an advisor specialising in making the startup scene's innovative drive accessible for big corporations. As an industry expert, Christoph loves to share his experience and contacts to support digital entrepreneurship whenever possible. As an entrepreneur, Christoph believes he has found The Next Big Thing to shape the future of digital usability: MagiTact.
Bio: Jo has led numerous Pathway teams at MEX, guiding his groups to the creation of new ideas and advancing the state of mobile user experience for the community. He returns to MEX as the facilitator for Pathway #10, where he will lead the work on transforming mobile experience with smart accessories. As well as being co-founder and director of MobileMonday London, Jo is a consultant CTO providing technology strategy and development management with a focus on mobile and publishing. His experience includes being CTO at dotMobi, Flirtomatic and at Reuters Mobile. Between 2005 and Jan 2011 he co-chaired the W3C Mobile Web Best Practices Working Group, and was editor or co-editor of lots of mobile-related W3C Notes and Recommendations. While at Reuters, Jo developed the first version of the news industry interchange standard, NewsML as well has being responsible for the development of the Reuters foreign exchange dealing system. Before that he helped start the UK's first public electronic mail system, Telecom Gold.
Bio: We asked Stephen to lead Pathway #5 at MEX, examining best practice for mobile healthcare, because of his huge experience developing tech solutions for information audiences. Stephen's own journey to new platforms started in 2001 after stepping down from journalism as Editor of BBC Newsnight, and becoming the Executive charged with modernising the BBC's 30-year old partnership with the Open University. He pioneered the push of rich media content onto mobile platforms with TV brands such as 'Coast'. Stephen joined the New Media division of Mentorn, producers of Question Time and many other iconic factual services, in 2005. In this role, he won and carried out dozens of innovative multi-screen projects to transform content-delivery for media, universities, healthcare and Governments. He has recently completed a TSB-funded tech research project to develop agent-based UIs with artificial personalities. Stephen also follows the mobile story in Africa, and advises the GSMA working group on Mobile development initiatives. His new venture Cambridge Personality Research is a data product spun out from University discoveries. The company optimises UX on all platforms by predicting each user's personality.
Bio: Claire leads Pathway #2 at MEX, facilitating the team as it creates new ideas in response to a specific MEX challenge. We invited her for her extensive experience of service design and her deep understanding of user research. Claire is Head of Research in the London office of Fjord, an international digital service design agency. She has worked extensively in user experience research and design for companies such as Flow Interactive, Razorfish and Seren. Recently her focus has been on a shift in user experience from the desktop toward services delivered through multiple platforms of widely differing form factors and the cloud. Her research and recommendations relate to what this shift means for what users expect from their devices, and what effective design, across platforms and the cloud, looks like.
Bio: Tom knows about efficient mobile development, combining an eye for interface design with deep knowledge of network optimisation. His career history includes a Masters in Computer Science from Cambridge and roles with Accenture and Trilogy. As CTO and founder of Masabi, he has led the company's work on developing mobile interfaces for the UK rail ticketing system. The project has seen him balancing the rules and regulations of a diverse transport network with customer expectations founded in traditional paper ticketing and timetabling. With his forthright opinions and long association with the MEX community, he is a natural choice to share his views on Pathway #1.
Bio: As a co-founder and Chairman of the board at Idean, Risto's work combines years of focused expertise in mobile with broad, cross-industry understanding of user experience. Risto is a designer and early pioneer in UX consulting; he has been creating design methods and practices for the last 12 years, which have become a part of the industry standards. Serving over 300 clients globally in different industries has given Risto a unique and broad experience in the field of user experience. At MEX, he is deeply committed to inspire the community with new ideas for the future of digital experiences across multiple platforms.
Bio: Peter's experience of soundscapes for mobile devices spans two decades, from his work on the General Magic products in the early 1990s, through the pioneering Danger Sidekick platform and as Audio Director at Microsoft. He participates at MEX for the first time to share his deep knowledge of how the audible dimension influences mobile user experience in Pathway #9, challenging participants to think about humans' innate relationship with sound.
Bio: Callum's background is as a film maker, producing 30 features for a range of clients including the BBC, Sky, CNN and MTV. As CEO of Digicave, he has been pushing the boundaries of 3D image capture, developing a system for bringing detailed 3D models to the web. He participates at MEX for the first time and will share his ideas as part of Pathway #4, exploring the future role of mobile devices in 3D content creation and the user experience challenges to be overcome.
Bio: Chris first became involved in the MEX community when his augmented reality concept design won the student category at the very first MEX Awards in 2008. Following his studies at the Institute of Digital Art and Technology (IDAT), Chris has become the Technology Design Lead at Fjord, working on projects for Orange, T-mobile, Vodafone, Nokia, Samsung, Adobe, SanDisk and the BBC. We're delighted to welcome him back to MEX, where he will explore how pervasive wireless technology is enabling new forms of creative expression in Pathway #8. Chris is also the facilitator for Pathway #4, exploring the future of 3D mobile user experiences.
Bio: After introducing new thinking as a speaker and Pathway #7 leader at the last MEX, Franco returns to lead the work on Pathway #13. In this role he facilitates a team using quiet design principles to reduce the visual noise of mobile interface design. His previous work on Pathway #7 set a standard for how a MEX participant can provoke new thinking and work collaboratively with team members to explore challenging topics - we're delighted to invite him back for the next MEX. Franco's career spans User Experience management roles at Vodafone and, most recently, sharing his service design expertise with the Web Foundation to create a series of Mobile Innovation Labs in Africa.
Bio: Ramona Liberoff is Executive Vice President of Marketing, Strategy and Planning at Movirtu, winner of the 2010 MEX Innovator of the Year Award. She'll be sharing her thoughts on the meaning of identity in a world of multi-platform experiences, where service interactions occur across a wide range of digital touchpoints and individuals are no longer tied to single devices. Ramona's interest in translating the nuances of human behaviour into digital experiences has seen her taking a Masters in Organisational and Social Psychology at the London School of Economics, as well as leading roles at M & C Saatchi, KPMG Consulting and BT. Prior to joining Movirtu, she was global client director at The Futures Company/Kantar.
Bio: Jerome's engagement at MEX began in December 2009 with a session on communicating the spirit of brands through multi-platform experiences. He returns, bringing with him a portfolio of experience at Human Factors International and, most recently, leading the transformation of device manufacturer Sagem Wireless into Mobiwire. Jerome's session focuses on Pathway #1, asking whether a new model for surfacing digital services provides a better balance between resource efficiency and richness of experience than today's dominant approach of application silos.
Bio: Ed made an instant impression when we met him with his eloquent explanation of the principles behind his semantic input start-up Siine. He will explore the themes of Pathway #9, looking at how additional senses - such as hearing - can become powerful tools for enhanced user experiences when used in combination with touch and visual design. In addition to Siine, Ed founded the Taxi2 service for sharing rides from the airport and studied communications, linguistics, group communication and semantics at Stanford.
Bio: David is a user experience researcher at haptic pioneers Immersion. His background is in the design of musical instruments and expressive interfaces. Immersion has been a long standing participant and supporter at MEX, but we met David for the first time in 2011. We were immediately impressed by his broad understanding of what connects humans with digital technology and his most recent projects to bring haptics to the Android OS. David's session at MEX will explore several Pathway areas where haptics have a potentially transformative effect on user experience.
Bio: Simon's DriveGain application uses the unique capabilities of mobile devices to help users lead more sustainable lives, building an understanding of how they drive and helping them to use their cars as efficiently as possible. His session at MEX will focus on Pathway #7, looking at user motivations for sustainable living and how those translate into interesting experiences. Simon's long history in mobile dates back 20 years to his work at British mobile computing pioneer Psion, where he went on to become a founding executive at Symbian. In 2001, he subsequently launched the ground breaking Cognima platform and Shozu mobile photo sharing service.
Bio: Remy's mobile design experience spans leadership roles for Mitsubishi, Samsung and Nokia, where he established the first interaction design team in London. At MEX, he focuses on Pathway #1 and shares his ideas on designing efficient experiences which deliver meaningful, elegant interactions with the minimum use of resources. In his current role as Head of Design and User Experience at Orange Vallee, Remy won a 2010 MEX Award for ON, a new type of social platform. We're delighted to welcome him back to share his expertise.
Bio: James is known for stretching the creative capabilities of mobile devices, using them to experiment with video, writing and communication. With his hands-on knowledge of using mobiles as creative tools, he provides insight into the user experience challenges customers face as they start to explore the advanced media capabilities embedded in their devices. He will respond to Pathway #8. In addition to his personal publishing, James is Marketing Director for 1000heads, where he helps clients such as Nokia, Heineken and Mars redefine the way they interact with both their biggest advocates and staunchest detractors. Other roles have included time as head of digital and social media for SpinVox, social reporting for Lucozade, customer champion on the start-up team for Mippin and co-founding the Really Mobile Project.
Bio: Mikko-Pekka leads the working group on Pathway #8, exploring new forms of creative expression through mobile devices. He was one of the earliest members of the MEX community, joining in 2005. As a co-founder of Idean, he has led hundreds of design research projects across mobile, entertainment and a wide range of other areas. His in-depth knowledge of mobile is combined with a skill for sharing, teaching and helping companies achieve simplicity from complex problems.