Miami Beach, 2015–Rokk3r Labs have teamed up with IxDA (Interaction Design Association) for the World Usability Day event at Rokk3r Labs office in Miami Beach.
On the 10th Anniversary of the event, World Usability Day 2015 brought together a whole range of professionals, citizens, and government organizations, with 87 functions taking place concurrently in 31 countries across the globe.
The theme for this year’s global event focused on Innovation and making essential services and products easier to access and use. The IxDA and Rokk3r event at the Rokk3r labs office delved further into how industry experts are innovating across various disciplines to create both meaningful online and offline experiences for customers in the Miami area.
Rokk3r Labs works with startups, putting together “startup cells” consisting of experts in technology, strategy and business in order to cobuild companies that have a user-centered approach and leverage exponential technologies and strategies.
IxDA’s mission is to develop the field of interaction design, a disciple that involves designing interactive environments, products, systems, and services to improve user experience. The organization has more than 70,000 members and over 170 local groups, and primarily relies on contributions from individuals, self-organization and the sharing of knowledge and resources to meet its goals.
Rokk3r Labs Senior Product Architect, Joel Mena, who has been leading the creation of user experiences for various Rokk3r Labs portfolio companies’ platforms, was a panelist at the event. Other contributors included John Stuart, the Director of CARTA Innovation Lab at The FIU College of Architecture and The Arts, Shane McWhorter, Executive Director of User Experience Strategy and Design Psychology, and Roberto Pérez de Paz of the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
“I was honored to share the stage with such a great panel to help raise awareness around usability & innovation in South Florida,” said Mena. “Listening to different perspectives and learning the role usability plays in academia, corporate, private agencies, and startups made for an interesting conversation as both the panel and attendees came together to share insights and discuss ways the community can get involved to create products and services built around the user.”
In recent years, user experience has become more important to business decisions, and organizations are beginning to invest more in user research and usability testing. 86% of CEOs feel it is crucial to champion the use of digital technologies, according to a Digital IQ survey.
With new products and services entering the market everyday, usability and design have become an increasingly important focus for companies aiming to create enjoyable and engaging user experiences. Despite this growing trend, 95% of mobile apps continue to be abandoned within the first month.
“Bringing the community together and different perspectives to discuss innovation and the roles we can all play to help solve real-life problems was a great way to celebrate World Usability Day,” added Mena.
About Rokk3r Labs
Rokk3r Labs is the best place in the world to launch companies that change the world. It is a platform for investors, entrepreneurs and organizations to increase value, mitigate risks and stay at the edge of innovation. With a focus on leveraging exponential technologies (e.g., blockchain, artificial intelligence, and 3D printing) and implementing new age methods of raising capital, Rokk3r Labs is harnessing global collective genius to cobuild companies that change the world. Currently, Rokk3r Labs has a portfolio of 25 companies that are cobuilding to disrupt various industries. To learn more, visit www.rokk3rlabs.com.
About IxDA
IxDA was founded in 2003 and became a non-for-profit organization in 2005. There are no membership fees, and there are more than 70,000 members and 170 groups internationally. The community aims to improve the human condition through promoting the advance of Interaction Design.
Find out more at IxDA.org