UX Day 2024

The field of user experience research (UXR) has been revolutionized by the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for qualitative data analysis. AI-based tools can help researchers analyze large amounts of data to identify patterns and deliver meaningful UX research results. This workshop will provide an overview and an opportunity of hands-on learning of how AI can be used for qualitative data analysis in UX research. Participants will learn about the different types of AI-based tools available for UXR and how they can be used to simplify complex data analysis and time-consuming tasks. The workshop will also cover the basics of UX research and how AI can be used to improve the accuracy and efficiency of data analysis. Participants will have the opportunity to work with AI-based tools for qualitative data analysis in UX research, using either their own data or sample data. They will learn how to use these tools to analyze user data and identify patterns that can be used to improve the user experience. The workshop will also cover best practices for using AI-based tools in UX research and how to integrate these tools into existing research workflows. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a solid understanding of how AI can be used for qualitative data analysis in UXR. They will be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to use AI-based tools to simplify and improve the accuracy and efficiency of qualitative data analysis. This workshop is ideal for UX researchers, data analysts, and anyone interested in learning more about the intersection of AI and UX research.

About the Presenter: With a background in educational psychology, I am a data analyst in the Gies College of Business, working to continuously improve the experience of our learners, specifically in our online masters' programs. This means that I analyze data collected from thousands of learners' experience from our learning platforms, third-party tools, and from surveys. One major challenge we have encountered is how to efficiently use qualitative feedback to improve our courses. My colleagues and I have been learning how to do just that using AI, and I am excited to share that knowledge with students who are interesting in UX research! 

Prototyping gives designers the opportunity to create, communicate, and evaluate the ideas that have been developed over the human-centered design process. In this workshop, learners will experiment with prototyping the intangible - experiences! Learn how prototyping can help your designed digital or in-person experiences to reach their goal, whether that's to delight, inform, or motivate.

About the Presenter: Sid transforms user insights into impactful user experiences using empathy. He is a graduate student majoring in Information Science. Sid started off his journey at the Siebel Center for Design and now works as a Teaching Scholar. With a passion for user research, Sid believes in the power of empathy in creating meaningful connections between people and technology. This empathy is not by choice but an attempt to connect with people and design impactful technologies. His technical skills, from a Computer Science undergrad, complement his ability to transform his designs into a reality. Outside of designing, Sid loves to have game nights with his friends, becoming a self-proclaimed MasterChef, working out, and tearing it up on the squash court.

Join us for an engaging session that will take you from the fundamentals of Figma to real-world design scenarios. Whether you're new to Figma or seeking to refine your skills, this session will equip you with the knowledge and practical insights needed to tackle design challenges with confidence. We'll cover the essential tools, features, and shortcuts in Figma, and demonstrate how these skills can be applied in real-world scenarios. By the end of this session, you'll not only have a solid understanding of Figma basics and its real-world applications but also gain valuable insights into a design scenario.

Pawel Bak - Design Lead, UX Manager at AbbVie Pawel is a world-class product designer specializing in mobile, web, wearables, and IoT devices. He has a proven track record of delivering delightful design solutions and engaging customer experiences for esteemed brands such as Microsoft, BMW, and AbbVie. As an innovative and dedicated leader, Pawel's strengths lie in ideation and implementation, as well as mentoring designers, managing teams, and fostering collaboration with global stakeholders.

David Marcus - UX Lead, Patient Experience & Design at AbbVie David is an accomplished UX Lead for Patient Experience & Design at AbbVie, leading a team to improve the services and experience for US patients and their support agents. With a diverse background in technology, he has led research, design, and development initiatives across various platforms, including responsive web, augmented reality, and voice user interface applications. Passionate about creating value through people, information, and experience, David continually finds inspiration in researching, prototyping, and implementing innovative solutions to complex challenges.

Jenna Yoo – UX Designer at AbbVie Jenna is an accomplished UX Designer with a background in Industrial Design and a wide range of experience designing products for diverse industries, including brand management consulting, finance, and higher education IT services. With skills in communication strategy, design systems, prototyping, newsletter design, and UX web consulting, Jenna delivers exceptional user experiences while effectively communicating with stakeholders and creating streamlined design solutions. As a recent graduate from UIUC, she brings a fresh perspective and innovative ideas to every project.

Juan Andres Jara Bayona - UI UX Designer | Figma Educator | Adjunct Faculty - North Central College | Design System Specialist at AbbVie Juan is an accomplished Senior UX Designer with a strong track record in shaping digital experiences for United Airlines and leading the UX Core team. With expertise in UI/UX design, Design System Packages, and leveraging web design and marketing, Juan's skills, extensive experience, and diverse background make him a versatile and accomplished professional in the field of user experience. Juan teaches part time at North Central College helping the next generation form a solid foundation in User Experience Design.

Spatial computing is extending the digital world beyond the frames of smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers, bringing it into our surrounding space and reshaping the way we interact with technology, our environment, and each other. This session is for students who are interested in understanding and creating such immersive experiences. We will begin by breaking down the fundamentals of spatial computing, encompassing Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), and Augmented Reality (AR). Then, we will identify the key factors that contribute to the effectiveness of these types of applications. Lastly, we will review practical insights into building applications within this space. This session is an invitation to explore the exciting possibilities of spatial computing. Students will leave with a solid introductory understanding of how these immersive experiences are designed, along with the inspiration to explore and innovate in this evolving space. "Principles of Spatial Design" is for those who are new to design processes to those looking to experiment with new mediums for product design. It provides a straightforward guide to understanding and shaping the future of user experience in the emerging age of spatial computing.

About the Presenter: Brendan Kim’s path into product design began by shaping digital and live experiences for Chicago-based musicians, setting the stage for his fascination with how technology can enhance human interactions. Currently, he is at ImmersiveTouch, where he designs products and services based on VR, MR, AR, and 3D printing technologies, providing surgeons with essential tools for residency training, pre-operative planning, and intraoperative guidance. His journey over the last four years in product design has been driven by the belief that diverse viewpoints spark creativity and elevate user experiences. Brendan is known by his peers for his engaged approach, eagerness to exchange knowledge, and focus on creating otherworldly, yet user-centric designs. 

Engage in personalized one-on-one sessions with our experienced team members who are dedicated to helping you shape your career in UX design. Whether you're seeking career advice or feedback on your portfolio, our experts are here to support you in achieving your goals.

In this session, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the UCD process and its role in product and service development. The session will start with an introduction to UCD and its key principles, emphasizing the importance of involving users throughout the design process. Participants will then be taken through the different stages of the UCD process, including user research, ideation, prototyping, and testing. Practical examples and case studies will be used to illustrate each stage and highlight the benefits of incorporating user feedback and insights. Additionally, the session will cover various techniques and methods used in UCD, such as user interviews, personas, scenario-based design, and usability testing. Attendees will learn how to apply these techniques in their own projects and understand their significance in creating user-centered designs.

Anna Banerjee - Associate Analytics Insights Lead at AbbVie Anna is a talented User Experience Designer with a versatile background in designing digital solutions for a wide range of industries including supply chain, higher education, banking, travel, e-commerce, and enterprise applications. She excels at every stage of the design process, from data gathering and user research to usability testing and creating high fidelity interactive wireframes. With her experience working in Agile teams, Anna is a collaborative team player who consistently delivers projects on time.

Paula Gamboa - Innovation Manager at AbbVie With 15 years of experience in defining and co-creating business opportunities, services, products, and strategies through user-centered research and design thinking, Paula has worked across various industries, including healthcare, pharma, utilities, banking, insurance, retail, automotive, and FMCG, and has successfully facilitated workshops and trained multi-disciplinary teams on innovation, design, and user-centered processes.

The UX Research session is an interactive session aimed at providing participants with an understanding of UX research methods and how to effectively conduct research to inform design decisions. This session will explore various UX research methods, including user interviews, surveys, and usability testing. Participants will learn how to identify research goals, create research plans, and analyze qualitative and quantitative data. Through this session, participants will gain a deep understanding of how to conduct effective UX research and apply insights to improve design solutions.

Marianne Grisdale - User Experience Research Manager at AbbVie With over 25 years of experience in UX/product design, qualitative research, and product strategy, Marianne has led teams and delivered innovation opportunities for brands, products, and services. Through her empathetic ability to pull insights and emotional cues from stakeholders, she has also excelled in talent development, team management, and mentoring young professionals, earning recognition in the industry.

The Double Diamond Panel is an interactive session that will explore the Double Diamond design process and how it can be used to solve complex design challenges. In this panel discussion, participants will hear from experienced design professionals who have leveraged the Double Diamond process to create successful design solutions. The panel will share insights on how they used the process to identify problems, generate ideas, and develop and test solutions. Through this session, participants will learn how to apply the Double Diamond process to their own design projects and gain a deeper understanding of the benefits of using a structured design process.

Marianne Grisdale - User Experience Research Manager at AbbVie With over 25 years of experience in UX/product design, qualitative research, and product strategy, Marianne has led teams and delivered innovation opportunities for brands, products, and services. Through her empathetic ability to pull insights and emotional cues from stakeholders, she has also excelled in talent development, team management, and mentoring young professionals, earning recognition in the industry.

Pawel Bak - Design Lead, UX Manager at AbbVie Pawel is a world-class product designer specializing in mobile, web, wearables, and IoT devices. He has a proven track record of delivering delightful design solutions and engaging customer experiences for esteemed brands such as Microsoft, BMW, and AbbVie. As an innovative and dedicated leader, Pawel's strengths lie in ideation and implementation, as well as mentoring designers, managing teams, and fostering collaboration with global stakeholders.

Anna Banerjee - Associate Analytics Insights Lead at AbbVie Anna is a talented User Experience Designer with a versatile background in designing digital solutions for a wide range of industries including supply chain, higher education, banking, travel, e-commerce, and enterprise applications. She excels at every stage of the design process, from data gathering and user research to usability testing and creating high fidelity interactive wireframes. With her experience working in Agile teams, Anna is a collaborative team player who consistently delivers projects on time.

David Marcus - UX Lead, Patient Experience & Design at AbbVie David is an accomplished UX Lead for Patient Experience & Design at AbbVie, leading a team to improve the services and experience for US patients and their support agents. With a diverse background in technology, he has led research, design, and development initiatives across various platforms, including responsive web, augmented reality, and voice user interface applications. Passionate about creating value through people, information, and experience, David continually finds inspiration in researching, prototyping, and implementing innovative solutions to complex challenges.

Juan Andres Jara Bayona - UI UX Designer | Figma Educator | Adjunct Faculty - North Central College | Design System Specialist at AbbVie Juan is an accomplished Senior UX Designer with a strong track record in shaping digital experiences for United Airlines and leading the UX Core team. With expertise in UI/UX design, Design System Packages, and leveraging web design and marketing, Juan's skills, extensive experience, and diverse background make him a versatile and accomplished professional in the field of user experience. Juan teaches part time at North Central College helping the next generation form a solid foundation in User Experience Design.

Jenna Yoo – UX Designer at AbbVie Jenna is an accomplished UX Designer with a background in Industrial Design and a wide range of experience designing products for diverse industries, including brand management consulting, finance, and higher education IT services. With skills in communication strategy, design systems, prototyping, newsletter design, and UX web consulting, Jenna delivers exceptional user experiences while effectively communicating with stakeholders and creating streamlined design solutions. As a recent graduate from UIUC, she brings a fresh perspective and innovative ideas to every project.

Paula Gamboa - Innovation Manager at AbbVie With 15 years of experience in defining and co-creating business opportunities, services, products, and strategies through user-centered research and design thinking, Paula has worked across various industries, including healthcare, pharma, utilities, banking, insurance, retail, automotive, and FMCG, and has successfully facilitated workshops and trained multi-disciplinary teams on innovation, design, and user-centered processes.

Proudly hosted by alumni from the University of Illinois, this session will offer a unique perspective from recent graduates who have successfully navigated the UX hiring landscape. The panelists, each with their unique experiences, will share anecdotes, challenges, and triumphs from their respective career paths, shedding light on the nuances of working in in-house design versus serving clients in a consultancy setting. With a keen focus on recent developments in the UX field, our panelists will provide insights into the latest trends, emerging opportunities, and the skills demanded by the industry. From the day-to-day responsibilities to the collaborative dynamics and project variety, this discussion aims to offer a comprehensive exploration of the factors that influence one's choice between in-house and consultancy roles in the UX field.

About the Presenters: 
Kathleen Culligan- As a proud alumna of the University of Illinois with an industrial design background, I interned at SCD during my studies and transitioned into a full-time designer role at Motorola post-graduation. I’ve accumulating two years of valuable industry experience immersed in the practical application of human-centered design. My fellow panelists and I hope to share those insights with students just now beginning to embarking on their own UX careers. 

Peyton Cecil is a product designer who is passionate about creating spaces for people to feel both comfortable and interested. While studying Industrial Design and Architectural Studies at UIUC, she discovered Accenture at UX Day, where she instantly related to how Song solves for customer needs.

Beth Keegan is a UX research and design consultant at Insight that is passionate about Object-Oriented UX, Bauhaus design, and Chicago architecture. She also studied Industrial Design and Architecture at UIUC, and now works with a variety of clients, from international fast food chains to chemical manufacturers.

Join us for an engaging discussion on civic tech and our panelists’ unique experiences navigating this dynamic space. Our panelists, Anna, Amanda, and Ryan, along with moderator Madison, will share insights from their projects with the United States Department of Defense and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The conversation will delve into the distinctive aspects of working in civic tech compared to the private sector. Our panelists will reflect on their journeys into civic tech, exploring the challenges and rewards they've encountered along the way. As experts in the field, they will also discuss the future outlook for civic tech. For those eager to pursue a career in civic tech, our panelists will offer valuable advice based on their diverse experiences. They'll touch upon various pathways, including working directly in government at the federal and local levels, contracting, contributing to non-profits, and exploring roles in healthcare, environment, or related fields. Throughout the discussion, we'll cover what roles and career paths may be relevant for working in civic tech. Join us for a thought-provoking exploration of civic tech and discover the multitude of opportunities it presents.

About the Presenters: As UX Designers and Researchers at Truss Works, a fully remote consulting firm that often works with government agencies such as the US Department of Defense, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and Department of Labor, our panelists and moderator research, design, and test innovative solutions to tricky government problems. They come from various backgrounds, including Interactive Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Science, and even Graphic Design from Illinois. Each panelist brings a unique perspective to UX, and they are each thrilled to share more about their civic tech journey for students interested in UX at the University of Illinois. 

Internships are a valuable way to gain experience and build your professional network as a college student. In this presentation, we’ll cover insider tips for landing internships (or a job), including how to research and target companies, prepare for interviews, and follow up after applying. By the end, you’ll be well-equipped to find the internship that’s right for you.

About the Presenter: Brandon Dohman is an accomplished global product executive with 17+ years of expertise in product management, innovation, and strategy. Known for leading high-performing teams and delivering customer-focused solutions that drive significant revenue growth, Brandon is also an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Illinois, fostering hands-on design thinking skills in students. His experience spans across various product and engineering teams, where he has been instrumental in promoting customer-centric development and refining product management processes. 

More details coming soon!

The path for UX designers is carved out with determination and unique perspectives, regardless of your background. "Entering the Field Without a Design Background" is tailored for students aiming to become UX designers who study a non-design oriented field. We will highlight opportunities in the field of UX that extend far beyond traditional digital products. Along with this, you'll receive practical tips and strategies for utilizing your unique background, turning what may seem like obstacles into assets. This session is a call to embrace the diversity of experiences and perspectives that each individual brings to the table. Attendees will leave empowered, with a newfound appreciation for how their distinct paths can contribute to innovative and inclusive design solutions.

We hope to inspire the next generation of researchers and designers! If you are looking to make the switch to design from non-traditional background, this is the session for you. Our backgrounds are in engineering and cognitive psychology, but we eventually stumbled upon the wonderful world of design. Curious about digital transformation and hot topics in design? Curious about what companies look for when hiring and how to prepare for interviews? Come learn more at our session!

About the Presenters: 
Monica: Monica graduated from UIUC in 2019 with a Bioengineering degree and kicked off her career at Optum. Over 4.5 years, she specialized in designing user-friendly experiences, leading the design efforts to reimagine provider portals. Now, as a Senior Product Designer at Kraft Heinz, she is dedicated to the digital transformation of their brand sites. Creativity is at the core of who she is, and she finds joy in expressing it through various mediums such as pottery, painting, and interior design.

Sneha: Sneha graduated from UIUC in 2020 where she was involved with Design for America and Illini Service Dogs. She started out as an economics major and eventually added cognitive psychology as a second major. Upon graduation she started as Design Strategy Fellow right here at Siebel Center for Design. Currently, she is a Senior User Experience Researcher at JPMorgan Chase. When she isn’t studying human behavior you can find her crafting or exploring Chicago. 

The Design Thinking process encourages getting feedback early and often. It's critical to the design process and success of any product. But, getting productive, thoughtful, and actionable UX feedback from stakeholders can be a tough, daunting task. Often, it comes down to creating a safe space for honest communication and asking the right questions that encourages engagement and critical thinking. Enter Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), a facilitation technique that fosters collaborative, inclusive, community-building dialogue. VTS is usually practiced in classrooms and museums with visual art, but it has proven to be equally effective in UX feedback sessions with diverse, multi-disciplinary stakeholders. This simple, 3 question technique can help UX practitioners get meaningful feedback and foster communities of collaboration.

About the Presenter: Victoria Campbell is a UX Designer at Fidelity Investments specializing in design strategy and innovation—making connection across the enterprise to solve customer and business problems that ease the collective burden. With a passion for design thinking, she employs mindsets and methods that help multi-disciplinary product teams find the sweet spot between desirability, feasibility, and viability. She also leads design thinking workshops that encourage action, collaboration, and reflection. When she’s not behind a computer or at a whiteboard, you’ll find her reading, using her graphic design background to critique type, or sitting on her front porch soaking up a summer sunset. 

In this Figma 101 session, we'll explore essential tips and tricks to boost your productivity and efficiency. You'll learn hidden features, time-saving shortcuts, and collaboration hacks to take your Figma skills to the next level. But this session goes beyond mastering Figma's features. We'll discuss how to collaborate effectively, synthesize asks and needs, and deliver to developers. Plus, we'll cover optimizing the Basic Use Case UI with Auto layout and shortcuts in Figma. By the end of this session, you'll be equipped with practical skills for managing design systems and optimizing UI. Please bring your laptop and have your educational Figma license enabled.

David Marcus - UX Lead, Patient Experience & Design at AbbVie David is an accomplished UX Lead for Patient Experience & Design at AbbVie, leading a team to improve the services and experience for US patients and their support agents. With a diverse background in technology, he has led research, design, and development initiatives across various platforms, including responsive web, augmented reality, and voice user interface applications. Passionate about creating value through people, information, and experience, David continually finds inspiration in researching, prototyping, and implementing innovative solutions to complex challenges.

Jenna Yoo – UX Designer at AbbVie Jenna is an accomplished UX Designer with a background in Industrial Design and a wide range of experience designing products for diverse industries, including brand management consulting, finance, and higher education IT services. With skills in communication strategy, design systems, prototyping, newsletter design, and UX web consulting, Jenna delivers exceptional user experiences while effectively communicating with stakeholders and creating streamlined design solutions. As a recent graduate from UIUC, she brings a fresh perspective and innovative ideas to every project.

Juan Andres Jara Bayona - UI UX Designer | Figma Educator | Adjunct Faculty - North Central College | Design System Specialist at AbbVie Juan is an accomplished Senior UX Designer with a strong track record in shaping digital experiences for United Airlines and leading the UX Core team. With expertise in UI/UX design, Design System Packages, and leveraging web design and marketing, Juan's skills, extensive experience, and diverse background make him a versatile and accomplished professional in the field of user experience. Juan teaches part time at North Central College helping the next generation form a solid foundation in User Experience Design.

We'll dive deep into Figma's advanced feature and explore advanced techniques for optimizing UI through a use case. And for the second half of the session, we'll have a class activity where you can put your newly learned skills to practice. We'll also give you pre-made components for you to create your own mini design system. By the end of this session, you will have a comprehensive understanding of Figma's advanced features and be equipped with practical skills for optimizing UI and creating your own mini design system. Please bring your laptop and have your educational Figma license enabled.

David Marcus - UX Lead, Patient Experience & Design at AbbVie David is an accomplished UX Lead for Patient Experience & Design at AbbVie, leading a team to improve the services and experience for US patients and their support agents. With a diverse background in technology, he has led research, design, and development initiatives across various platforms, including responsive web, augmented reality, and voice user interface applications. Passionate about creating value through people, information, and experience, David continually finds inspiration in researching, prototyping, and implementing innovative solutions to complex challenges.

Jenna Yoo – UX Designer at AbbVie Jenna is an accomplished UX Designer with a background in Industrial Design and a wide range of experience designing products for diverse industries, including brand management consulting, finance, and higher education IT services. With skills in communication strategy, design systems, prototyping, newsletter design, and UX web consulting, Jenna delivers exceptional user experiences while effectively communicating with stakeholders and creating streamlined design solutions. As a recent graduate from UIUC, she brings a fresh perspective and innovative ideas to every project.

Juan Andres Jara Bayona - UI UX Designer | Figma Educator | Adjunct Faculty - North Central College | Design System Specialist at AbbVie Juan is an accomplished Senior UX Designer with a strong track record in shaping digital experiences for United Airlines and leading the UX Core team. With expertise in UI/UX design, Design System Packages, and leveraging web design and marketing, Juan's skills, extensive experience, and diverse background make him a versatile and accomplished professional in the field of user experience. Juan teaches part time at North Central College helping the next generation form a solid foundation in User Experience Design.

What is it like working as a product designer for a company that has over 30 different hotel brands, all with unique visual identities? Learn all about digital design in the hospitality industry and how Hyatt handles its unique challenges. If you are interested in design systems, e-commerce, or design operations, this is the session for you.

About the Presenters: 
Erik Pedersen is currently the Director of Global Digital Design for Hyatt.com. He has over 20 years of industry experience, having held UX design, research, front-end development, and digital product design leadership positions. Over the course of his career, Erik has worked in startup, mid-sized, and large companies and has worked within the hospitality, insurance, financial, telecom, automotive, and medical industries. He is a strong advocate for collaborative Human-Centered Design and Lean UX techniques. Erik received a B.S. in Psychology from UIUC and a M.S. in Human-Computer Interaction from DePaul University but will always consider himself an Illini.

Jake Veness graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with a BFA and concentration in Graphic Design. After several positions in corporate identity, branding, and advertising, Jake moved into agile product design with Blue Cross Blue Shield and earned HCD instructor certification while driving the internal design system at Allstate. His role of Design Lead for Hyatt's brand theme design system, Bellhop, makes use of his range of aptitudes and experiences as he leads his product team to devise one design system to equally serve 30+ diverse visual identities. 

OSF HealthCare has been recognized by Fortune as one of the most innovative companies in the country in 2023. OSF HealthCare has 16 hospitals – 10 acute care, five critical access, one transitional care - with 2,131 licensed beds throughout Illinois and Michigan. As part of OSF Innovation, the OSF Design Lab focuses on the application of design thinking and engagement in solving some of the real challenges facing healthcare, medicine, and especially underserved communities. This session will focus on some of the award-winning research projects from OSF Innovation, including outreach to those who are at the highest risk and most vulnerable. Topics will include developments in community health screening, free children’s mobile vaccination outreach, creating telehealth connections in urban and rural communities, helping address the health of the homeless through kiosks, the use of new remote technologies in diagnostics, education about the exposome in at-risk neighborhoods, the use of mixed reality in opioid overdose intervention, and how health system-university partnerships are helping the people of Illinois.

About the Presenter: Scott Barrows is the Director of the Innovation Design Lab at OSF HealthCare in Peoria, Illinois. He is a clinical assistant professor at 3 University of Illinois campuses (Peoria in Emergency Medicine, Chicago in Biomedical Visualization, and Urbana-Champaign in Engineering) and at Bradley University in User Experience Design. The Innovation Design Lab is focuses on the application of human centered design in healthcare, with several funded research projects that address health equity in underserved communities. Projects include cancer screening, providing digital access to telemedicine in homeless shelters, improving pediatric vaccination outreach, AI-directed medical decision-making app design, mobile health, and the development of new applications and engagements for healthcare education. Barrows was previously a vice president at a biotechnology laboratory that provided advanced analysis of biomarkers used to predict future disease. He was also a vice president at a medical software company and contributor to eHuman, a Stanford-based medical and dental software company. He was the director of the Biomedical Visualization graduate program at UIC and co-created Age-Progressed Imagery, used to find numerous missing children. His work has received numerous awards, including recognition from two US Presidents, the Smithsonian Institution, and the University of Illinois. Barrows’ artwork has appeared at Nobel Conferences, in the archives of the National Library of Medicine, in museums and galleries worldwide, and in hundreds of medical textbooks and surgical journals. He is an alumnus of three University of Illinois campuses (UIC, UIUC, UIS).

Put your design thinking skills to the test by creating an experience to track your dog’s health. Not in theory, but for a real client. Discover how Accenture Song frames ambition, prototypes, and iterates with a series of hands-on, guided exercises. You’ll evolve your ideas to solve for the needs of pets — and their parents. This workshop will give you a glimpse into your future of solving actual challenges through design innovation.

About the Presenters: 
Jacob reimagines and launches new businesses and services at Accenture Song. Specializing in design research and growth marketing, he is relentless in inspiring clients and colleagues to be bold and move quickly. He studied Economics and Informatics at the University of Illinois.

Peyton is a product designer who is passionate about creating spaces for people to feel both comfortable and interested. While studying Industrial Design and Architectural Studies at UIUC, she discovered Accenture at UX Day, where she instantly related to how Song solves for customer needs. 

Embark on an enlightening journey into the present and future of UX design with this concise lightning talk. Explore emerging trends in AR and 3D UI, highlighting the growing influence of VUI. Witness the surge of design collaboration within and across disciplines as a pivotal force in the contemporary design landscape. Delve into how the integration of generative AI is reshaping UX, alongside the influential power of personalized AI. Addressing the intersection of design with accessibility, sustainability, design justice, and ethical considerations, we'll navigate the trending path toward more inclusive, responsible, and impactful design. This talk is your express ticket to the multifaceted world of UX in 2024, offering insights into evolving trends that will define the UX profession, and inspiring contributions to a brighter future.

About the Presenter: I'm Shubham Kumar, a Senior Product Designer at Healthy Regions and Policies Lab, LAS, UIUC, with 5+ years of design experience. I also currently hold the position of Product Lead at Greenstand, a nonprofit based in Alaska. Before my current role, I earned a master's degree in Information Management at UIUC and served as a UI/UX Designer at Rolls-Royce and PwC. 

Learn how to create a UX portfolio using Notion! We will cover how to set up your portfolio, personalize the look and feel, and add content. We’ll go through the different parts of a portfolio (landing page, case studies, about page, etc.) and how to create one to best showcase yourself and your work to recruiters and hiring managers. In our workshop attendees will learn about using Notion as a tool for their work, key aspects to building their portfolios, and how to market themselves in your best light for hiring.

About the Presenters: 
The Notion CLs come from various backgrounds and experiences like Industrial Design, CS, Informational Sciences, and Business. They have used Notion for their portfolios and have had experience in their respective career paths! As Notion CLs they are well versed in the different ways it can be a tool to display work and yourself! 

The intersection of design thinking and Generative AI presents a new era of innovation, where human creativity meets computational agility. As industries evolve and consumer expectations shift, leaders are seeking frameworks that harmoniously integrate human intuition with AI's analytical prowess. This talk delves into our (IDEO) exploration and learnings from a transformative collaboration with Healthworx Venture Studio, shedding light on the synergies between traditional design thinking and cutting-edge AI capabilities and offers a blueprint for businesses striving to stay ahead in an AI-augmented world.

About the Presenter: Tom Antony most recently served as a Senior Design Director at IDEO with expertise in Venture, Product, Strategy, and Emerging Technologies (including Generative AI). He manages strategic and innovative projects across sectors with a particular focus on Tech and Health, creating a bridge between creativity and business rigor. Before IDEO, Tom co-founded Quantified Care, a digital health startup that developed patient engagement and remote monitoring tools. Under his leadership as COO/CPO, the company saw 84% weekly user engagement and a 72% reduction in clinical events. He is also a Venture Partner at NextGen, a venture fund driving entrepreneurial ventures. Tom's earlier endeavors include significant contributions to four unique startups in product management and business development. Notably, he aided Veraz Networks in going public (Nasdaq: VRAZ), and played a key role in the growth of WellDoc, a digital health company, which Forbes recognized as one of the Most Promising Startups. At WellDoc, he contributed to the development of groundbreaking mobile prescription therapies. Tom has advised and worked closely with world-recognized organizations including: GE, Google, Samsung, Airbus, Mass Gen Brigham, BCBS, Roche, Abbott, Otsuka, Exelon, Sompo, Orbia, Arbor Day, Earth Justice, as well as many fast-growing startups.