Designers are often told that users seek easy answers which are arrived at rationally. Said users are bound by predictable, limited amounts of time, knowledge and interest. They are bound and are understood by bounded rationality. The influence of psychologists and economists has trained us to frame solutions with this precept. Bounded rationality belies the experiences of delight and frustration in users and, perhaps, gives designers a little too much credit for knowing the user.

Design is about solving problems. Designers and developers try to help users be productive, connect, and learn in a secure online environment. Paradigms for community, individuality, health, and success have changed with new technology. The problems we solve aren’t always mediated by rational actors, nor do rational actions result. Amid changing technologies and contexts users are only limited by data plans and price points. As designers and users we’re now operating in a bounded irrationality.

There are three categories of focus in this year’s speaker series: Presumptive Design/UX Design (Orange), Design Practices/Education(Green), and Building Communities/Supporting Users (Blue). Each category has been assigned a color so that it can be followed throughout the year more easily.

 

 

 

 

 

2016 Speakers and Events

PRESUMPTIVE DESIGN: UX IN THE PROBLEM SPACE
January 6, 2016
Charles Lambdin, Intel

 

 

 

PRESUMPTIVE DESIGN WORKSHOP: BOUNDED, IRRATIONAL DESIGN RESEARCH PROCESS
January 29, 2016
Leo Frishberg, Phase II

 

 

 

FAULTY BY DESIGN: PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAM OF USER DECISION MAKING
February 10, 2016
William Gribbons, PhD, Bentley University

 

 

 

A MEDIA FOR A CHORUS OF VOICES
March 2, 2016
Ward Cunningham

 

 

 

MARKETING ISN’T STORYTELLING. IT’S WORLDBUILDING.
April 6, 2016
Ian Lurie, Portent

 

 

 

BE HERE WHEN
May 4, 2016
John D. Smith, Co-Author of Digital Habitats

 

 

 

EMPOWERING COMMUNITY MODERATORS
June 8, 2016
Jasen Balmat, OkCupid

 

 

 

DESIGNING FOR HAPPINESS
July 13, 2016
Pamela Pavlisack, Change Sciences?

 

 

 

CHIFOO ANNUAL BOWLING PARTY
August 3, 2016
10th Annual CHIFOO Member Appreciation Night

 

 

 

LET’S PRETEND
September 14, 2016
Carolyn Chandler, Mira Fitness
Anna van Slee, Sideshow Collectibles

 

 

 

RESISTANCE IS USELESS
October 5, 2016
Jason Sack, eBay

 

 

 

BOUNDED IRRATIONALITY IN EVERYDAY MOMENTS
November 2, 2016
Michelle Kittrell, Cambia Health Solutions