SEATTLE -- February 3, 2008 -- Artefact Group, a Seattle-based design consultancy, today announced that its design director, Ken Fry will join the University of Washington Department of Technical Communication’s winter 2009 seminar series titled “User Experience Leadership” on February 6.
During the lecture, Fry, a University of Washington graduate, will present an approach that can enable researchers to transform a design solution into something informed and inspired. Through the use of real world case studies and his own experiences, he will describe the principles behind this approach.
"It’s a true honor to be selected by my alma mater as a guest lecturer for the Department of Technical Communication’s seminar series," said Fry. "The world of user research and design is one of today’s most dynamic and growing fields which illustrates the importance of informed innovation."
Fry is one of 10 speakers partaking in the seminar series throughout winter quarter. The series will consist of lectures at which knowledge leaders in the User Experience field discuss their research, thoughts and professional experiences. Past lecturers include luminaries such as Dennis Wixon, Everett McKay and Anita Salem.
"In putting together this Leadership seminar, I asked some of the leading figures in the User Experience field to share their knowledge with the academic community," said Alex Thayer, organizer of the seminars. "Ken immediately came to mind because of his industry expertise and acknowledged position within the User Experience community."
Fry began his career as a designer for MSN and Microsoft Works but quickly assumed a leadership position on user experience teams for Microsoft products such as hardware, Works Suite, and Encarta. Throughout his career, Fry has been honored with an impressive collection of awards, including the Business Week IDEA award, Design Zentrum Red Dot and ID Magazine Annual Design Review, to name a few. He also teaches design courses at Seattle University and the University of Washington.
Artefact (www.artefactgroup.com) is a design consultancy that works with a variety of high tech consumer electronics, communications, and computer software clients to research user needs and design breakthrough software and technology products.
Since 2006, Artefact has partnered with major industry players like Microsoft, Apple, SONOS and Intel to deliver innovation to mobile systems, gaming and entertainment systems (xBox 360, SONOS Multi-Room Music Player), natural user interfaces (Microsoft Surface), client applications (Microsoft WorldWide Telescope), and productivity solutions (Office Live), just to name a few. Artefact is a young company, but with rapid growth, it is becoming a prominent player in user experience design.
Media Contact
Katie McFadzean
MWW Group for Artefact
206-505-8333
kmcfadzean@mww.com