If you are interested in exploring ways the design and development disciplines can work together to create meaningful interfaces and successful user experiences, then you may be interested in an upcoming presentation here in Grand Rapids…

XP West Michigan will welcome Dr. Robert Biddle, a professor of computer science and psychology at Carleton University and an international expert on HCI, for “Agile Software Development and UI Design: A Match Made in Heaven?”

When: Tuesday, March 25, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: Work Play Space, 941 Wealthy Street SE, Grand Rapids

The press release with details is after the jump and more Information can be found at http://xpwestmichigan.org/

This event is free and open to the public. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP with Carl Erickson (erickson [at] atomicobject [dot] com) who can also answer any questions you may have about the event.

Also, if you know of others who would be interested in this presentation, please pass along this invitation.

I hope to see you there!

Cheers,

Grant Carmichael

Design Expert To Speak On Software Usability and Interaction

How to use good design to make software products better

Equal parts marketing, graphic design and software craftsmanship, user interface and interaction design can ultimately determine the success or failure of a software product. Be it a website, operating system or any other competitive software tool or service, end users will often reject otherwise superior products if they are not aesthetically attractive and easy to use.

UI is an issue of great concern to agile software developers. Intended to eliminate the late projects, blown budgets and buggy products common in traditional software development, agile software development is a delivery-driven methodology focused on process improvement, testing and collaboration. Also known as Extreme Programming, agile software development has been proven to reduce costs and technical bugs. But, as an upcoming program hosted by local agile development trade group XP West Michigan will examine, good software can and will fail without good design.

In a presentation of interest to all members of the design community, XP West Michigan will welcome Dr. Robert Biddle, a professor of computer science and psychology at Carleton University and an international expert on UI design, for “Agile Software Development and UI Design: A Match Made in Heaven?”

“It defeats the purpose of agile development if what you end up with software that people hate to use,” said Carl Erickson, president of local software development firm Atomic Object and current president of XP West Michigan. “User interface and interaction design is as much a part of the user’s experience as good testing and other agile practices.”

Erickson invited Biddle to Grand Rapids after seeing him speak at an international conference. “He’s on the leading edge of this subject, and has something to share with both developers and designers. He’s also an incredibly high-energy, passionate and engaging speaker.”

Biddle’s most recent research has focused on how UI design can affect the business and technical aspects of software design, particularly how it can be applied alongside agile development practices. His research group has studied software teams from around the world working with agile development and UI design. In his presentation, Biddle will introduce his findings on current practices and identify opportunities for future collaboration between the software developers and interface designers.

When: Tuesday, March 25, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: Work Play Space, 941 Wealthy Street SE, Grand Rapids

About XP West Michigan:

XP West Michigan is a 501c6 non-profit trade association dedicated to improving the competitiveness of Michigan’s software development community. The group is particularly interested in disseminating knowledge of agile software development practices. Meetings are free and open to the public.

About Robert Biddle:

Robert Biddle is a Professor at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, where he is on the graduate faculty of both the schools of Computer Science and Psychology. His research and teaching is in human-computer interaction and software engineering, involving active projects on agile development, computer security, and collaborative hypermedia. He has also worked as a software developer and as a technical consultant. He is widely recognized as an outstanding researcher, educator, and presenter.

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