user experience

I lump a lot of things into the broad heading of design: user interfaces, usability testing, graphics and visuals, information architecture, interaction design, user experience design, web site design, application design, even industrial design, software documentation, tutorials, training and APIs.

Here's a list of groups that might interest you. Please, post others (and corrections) in the comments.

Are you a UX, IA, UI, IxD, usability, visual or other sort of designer? Come out for a design practice workshop on February 15th, from 7–9pm at Genuine Joe Coffeehouse (it’s on Anderson Lane up the road from the Alamo Drafthouse Village). We’ll be trying out a design critique practice exercise, picking apart issues of usability, information architecture, interaction design and other aspects of their user experience.

Are you a UX, IA, UI, IxD, usability, visual or other sort of designer? Come out for a design practice workshop! We'll be completing last week's design refinement practice exercise, refining brainstormed designs and critiquing their user experience and usability.

vi.to/practice-ux has the essay with the premise of these workshops.

We are DOWNTOWN this week! "Texas Coworking is located at 200 E. Sixth Street in downtown Austin. We are on the 3rd floor of the Hannig Row Building. On the sidewalk, you will see a wooden sign right above the entrance that says 'Hannig Row.' The downstairs entrance is a long lobby area with wood floors and several flat panel TVs along the wall. Walk in the door, and go to the elevator in the far right corner. We're on the 3rd floor. When you get off the elevator, hang an immediate left. "

Come a little early to get settled and get some coffee or a snack so we can start on time. I'll be there around 6:45pm to set up if you'd like to introduce yourself or discuss the meeting itself. Paper, markers and other materials will be provided.

Are you a UX, IA, UI, IxD, usability, visual or other sort of designer? Come out for a design practice workshop on Monday, January 18th, from 7-9pm, at Genuine Joe Coffeehouse (it's on Anderson Lane up the road from the Alamo Drafthouse Village).

We’ll be trying a design refinement practice exercise. Come a little early to get settled and get some coffee or a snack so we can start on time. I’ll be there at 6:30pm to set up if you’d like to introduce yourself or discuss the meeting itself. Paper, markers and other materials will be provided.

Google Calendar and Facebook Event links at vi.to/practice-ux, and minutes from the previous meeting will be posted there soon, too. Hope to see you there!

Are you a UX, IA, UI, IxD, usability, visual or other sort of designer? Come out for a design practice workshop on Monday, January 4th, from 7-9pm, at Genuine Joe Coffeehouse (it’s on Anderson Lane near the Alamo Drafthouse Village).

We’ll be doing a brainstorming practice exercise. Come a little early to get settled and get some coffee or a snack so we can start on time. I’ll be there at 6:30pm to set up if you’d like to introduce yourself or discuss the meeting itself. Paper, markers and other materials will be provided.

More details at vi.to/practice-ux. Hope to see you there!

Austin UPA (a chapter of the Usability Professionals' Association) has been reinvigorated this past year and has teamed up with AustinUX to host local events for UX (and related) folks.  Our topics are varied - from celebrating World Usability Day (see pictures) to collaborating on collaboration (see the past panel description) to discussing video game usability (check out the slides).

For December, we'll be winding down 2009 in a social fashion with a happy hour mixer at Vino Vino on December 1st. 

Happy hour details
Tuesday, December 1st, 6:30-8:30pm

Vino Vino (www.vinovinotx.com)
4119 Guadalupe St
Austin, TX 78751
(Google map)

Please RSVP at http://austinupa.ning.com/events/december-happy-hour. It's not completely necessary, but would be helpful - I need to give the owners a heads-up on headcount. (Note: If you haven't signed up on the Austin UPA website, then you'll need to - the link is on the upper right, and it's free.)