Design approaches for IT Utilities

Steve Brewer

The two-day design workshop focusing on user experience and user interfaces to ICT systems of all sizes certainly lived upto expectations. Our two host companies, IBM and ustwo put much into the event and this was greatly appreciated by the participants. The workshop explored design practices within both of the organisations and its prominent role was made clear through the weight given to constantly improving techniques and practices and the tight integration that design has within what, historically, have been technically focused processes.

On the first day we visited the elegant and modern IBM Client Centre located on the South Bank. After a fascinating history of IBM's strong ties with design in many areas including architecture we were given an overview of the company's latest design-friendly development processes within the company.

On the second day we visited ustwo which is based in the Tea Building, a creative hive and architectural landmark in the heart of Shoreditch. As a digital design studio delivering interaction and user interface design, app development and digital entertainment to the world’s leading brands, the company offers a unique insight into dynamic and flexible working practices. As can be seen from the photograph, participants were fully immersed in rapid prototyping around user modelling techniques. No one was more surprised than the participants when the day ended with functioning prototypes serving various scenarios. At the same time the workshop also delivered some valuable discussions about the benefits and opportunities that robust user interaction design processes can deliver in terms of usability, usefulness and inclusiveness.

Digital Economy All Hands: DE2013 Open Digital, 4 - 6 November

We have previously mentioned that the fourth All Hands meeting for the RCUK Digital Economy Theme will take place from 4-6 November at Media City, Salford. The ITaaU Network+ will be present and running a technical demonstration on 3D printing. We hope that many of the members of the ITaaU Network+ will be able to join us in Media City to share the experiences and achievements of the various activities that are emerging from our contribution to the Digital Economy.

Human-Data Interaction: big data gets personal

We believe that the time has come to recognise the emerging topic of Human-Data Interaction (HDI1). It arises from the need, both ethical and practical, to engage users to a much greater degree with the collection, analysis and trade of their personal data. HDI puts the human at the centre of the data flows that concern them, which requires provision of mechanisms for citizens to interact with these systems explicitly.

HDI is inherently interdisciplinary, encapsulating elements not only of traditional computer science ranging across data processing, systems design, visualisation and interaction design, but also of law, psychology and sociology. This workshop will explore HDI from a few of these perspectives, with the aim of initiating conversations that will result in future collaborations around this exciting topic.

The workshop is being held at the Open Data Institute in Tech City, Shoreditch, London. Follow the link for further information.

This workshop is near capacity, however we are monitoring the cancellation situation closely, so do get in touch if you are interested in the topic of Human Data Interaction.

Adoption of ICT to improve security and trust in the UK food chain - 2-3 September, 2013

This two-day residential workshop held in County Antrim, Northern Ireland on the 2 and 3 of September set out to explore best practices from around the UK and beyond and strive to identify tools and ICT systems that could be harnessed to improve food product security, traceability, nutritional benefits and consumer confidence with the social, health and economic benefits that can arise.

Scientific experts, policymakers and technology practitioners from across the spectrum of government agencies and subject domains that are responsible for everything from “field to fork” were generous enough to spend time at what proved to be a very pleasant location in rural County Antrim to explore the topics and capture the key issues and opportunities.

A report will be published shortly to present the discussions and preliminary conclusions along with some propositions for further actions to address these critical issues.

One of the strongest metaphors for the topic was suggested by guest speaker Professor Alan Reilly, chief executive of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Food security is like a sleeping volcano: it requires continual monitoring, constant risk assessment and rolling contingency planning in order to be prepared for the day when a spectacular blow necessitates a rapid but considered response.