As I drove home from the third IxDA Phoenix event, once again I was feeling completely overwhelmed. It never ceases to amaze me how inspiring those events can be and how passionate and enthusiastic not only the design community is here in Phoenix, but the entire community as a whole.

Over the weekend I attended a friend’s party and had a chance to catch up with some people I know and get to know some people I hadn’t met before. The formal UX community may be small here, but it is definitely not lacking. I couldn’t even tell you how it began, though I’m sure I started it as I’m constantly thinking about experiences and interactions users have with anything at all times. The entire table I was with, including people I knew and people I just met, ended up in a very lengthy conversation about the difference and challenge in designing a user experience for someone such as a police officer or fireman who had to potentially be doing activities while driving. It makes perfect sense that this would be an issue, seeing as how text messaging and talking on the phone while driving are prohibited in several states. The conversation was very engaging and some great feedback and thoughts were given by all. In fact, it drove people who are not UX or IX designers by trade to attend the recent IxDA Phoenix event.

Our last event involved physical prototyping, which was a suggestion from one of our members. I haven’t done too much of it, and most people have never done it before so I figured what could it hurt. It would be a fun challenge for all of us. I found some moving boxes left over from my trip out here ages ago, some tape, and other misc supplies and loaded them in my car. Once I arrived at Gangplank, I completely changed my mind about what we were going to do also.

The challenge was to break out into groups and think of a household appliance that could use some improvement in a new an exciting way. The improvement had to include a change in the product design and could not be simply sticking a software interface on it and calling it done. After two hours and lots of brainstorming, both groups came up with fantastic products. One was an improvement to a toaster oven and the other changes the way laundry is done. Head over to the IxDA Phoenix site to read a recap as well as view photos and video from the event. The video is also below:

IxDA Phoenix from James Archer on Vimeo.

Observing everyone brainstorming and collaborating together was truly inspiring. All of this reaffirms my decision to move to Phoenix and to bring a group like IxDA to the area. I don’t have a grudge against any of the cities I’ve ever lived in, but I’m not sure I’d have been able to pull anything like this off in them. Phoenix really seems to embrace learning and collaboration and has people that love not only growing in their own trade or profession, but learning about other interests too and why people love them.

I am giddy with anticipation over what the next IxDA Phoenix event in September will bring.

This was first posted here: http://ixdaphoenix.ning.com/profiles/blogs/helping-ixda

I joined IxDA’s discussion a couple years ago. I was just graduating from my master’s program, and was looking to meet other professionals for networking and hopefully a job. For a couple years, IxDA was just a discussion list to me. I read some interesting conversation about common practices and discovered interesting job leads.

Almost a year ago, job searching lead me to Phoenix, which would be a huge move from the Midwest where I had spent most of my life. Along with that, I began researching other local UX/IxD professionals in the area and organizations that existed. One of my coworkers was helping start a local UPA chapter in the area, which was exciting, but I also wanted a space where we could come together and collaborate and learn in a more hands-on environment. I imagined bringing the community together to geek out and tinker with new ideas and philosophies, and maybe work on something to help the community. That’s when I discovered IxDA local groups and decided to inquire.

I was flattered by how much support I was given by the IxDA board, members, and other local leaders in this endeavor. I was given guidance and suggestions by others that were just starting up and those that had well established groups. This support only encouraged me more in my efforts, so much so, that I decided to attend the Interaction ’09 convention, and along with that, the opportunity to attend the local leaders workshop being held prior to the beginning of the conference.

After I returned, I scheduled the first IxDA Phoenix meetup. We met at Gangplank, a collaborative coworking location in the Phoenix metro area. I had no clue who was going to show up. I had been spreading the word via twitter, facebook and our newly done ning site. I was nervous, not only about no one showing up, but about people disliking my approach to meetings. It ended up being a success. Attendees had a blast and said they were looking forward to coming back.

IxDA has helped me tremendously in more ways than I can even begin to count. I have been connected with so many amazing and absolutely inspiring people through this organization. I have learned more about myself, and my thoughts in regards to the UX/IxD profession and have become more sound in standing up for my thoughts and ideas. I have started to think outside the box and discover new ways to use and share my knowledge.

I have enjoyed becoming a local leader so much that I have decided to volunteer for IxDA in other ways. I recently accepted the task of being the IxDA Local Group Initiative Community Lead. I have such a passion for the local groups and believe they are the starting point for great things within the community and worldwide. So much starts at the local level.

Additionally, I have been involved with a group of IxDA members that are helping to create a new IxDA site. For months, many IxDA members have been giving their time and efforts to researching platforms, brainstorming ideas, and creating artifacts to assist in the creation of the new site. Local groups, discussion, multimedia, jobs, and more will be represented in the new site.

I want to encourage everyone reading this to think about donating a little to IxDA. More information on how the money will be spent, is available on the board blog.

“As a thank you to all that contribute, we will hold a drawing each day and select one name to receive a complimentary registration to interaction’10, being held in Savannah, GA next February! (Note: Each day starts at 12:01 am GMT. No IxDA Board Members are eligible for the drawing. All registrations are transferable but not eligible for cash exchange.)”

Give back. Help IxDA as they’ve helped you.

I am.

I’ve been way too incredibly busy lately. So busy I have have to miss two volunteering sessions on top of not having time to blog.

However, I did blog about the IxDA Phoenix event this week finally.

It’s available here:
http://ixdaphoenix.ning.com/profiles/blogs/inaugural-meeting-recap

Are you an interaction designer or usability specialist? Perhaps an information architect or human centered designer? Maybe you simply have a passion for creating user friendly interfaces for applications and devices.

Are you looking for more in an organization than just hearing speaker after speaker? Would you like to grow in your profession and help others simultaneously?

If so, and you are located in the Phoenix area, then IxDA Phoenix is for you. IxDA Phoenix will be a professional meetup that focuses on ideation and brainstorming all while helping each other and the community.

Join us for discussion as well as updates on events.

We are also on twitter @IxDAPhoenix