August 2024: Patio Social at Graffiti Market

Our next patio social of the season is coming up! We will once again be on the patio at Graffiti Market (137 Glasgow St. Suite 385, Kitchener).

Drop by and say hi to other local UXers and UX enthusiasts! Friends and family are always welcome to join.

Please try to RSVP if you are planning on attending, so that I can update the reservation numbers.

Please register for this free event

Thursday August 22, 2024
5:00pm ET
In Person, Graffiti Market (137 Glasgow St suite 385 · Kitchener)

July 2024: Patio Social at Graffiti Market

Our next patio social of the season is at a different time than usual (due to booking conflicts): Wednesday July 24 at 5:45pm. We will once again be on the patio at Graffiti Market (137 Glasgow St. Suite 385, Kitchener).

Drop by and say hi to some other local UXers and UX enthusiasts!

Please try to RSVP if you are planning on attending, so that I can update the reservation numbers.

Please register for this free event

Wednesday July 24, 2024
5:45pm ET
In Person, Graffiti Market (137 Glasgow St suite 385 · Kitchener)

June 2024: Patio Social at Graffiti Market

We will be moving our meetups outside for the summer!! Our first patio social of the season will be at Graffiti Market (137 Glasgow St. Suite 385, Kitchener)! We will be out on the patio for at least 2 hours, so please drop by for as long as you would like. This event is open to all UX professionals and enthusiasts.

Please try to RSVP if you are planning on attending, so that I can update the reservation numbers.

Please register for this free event

Wednesday June 19, 2024
5:30pm ET
In Person, Graffiti Market (137 Glasgow St suite 385 · Kitchener)

May 2024: UX design in the gaming industry

What does a UX Designer do in the games industry?

UX Design in games have come a long way, from early player experiences crafted by engineers, to Graphic Designers creating beautiful interfaces with motion graphics, to interactive 3D environments in PC, Console, mobile and VR experiences. As the world of interactive content expands, so does the need for Player (user) focused experience designers. Please join Eddie Visser in a discussion of the role of a UX designer in the world of interactive entertainment design. We’ll discuss game target audiences, multi platform controller inputs, publisher guidelines, accessibility and how to create immersive interactions that drive the gameplay experience and narrative for games.

About our speaker

With over two decades of expertise in the gaming & entertainment industry, Eddie Visser has brought service design methodologies to companies such as Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Keywords Studios and Sumo Digital. As a Senior Art/UX/UI Director, he has collaboratively built creative pipelines for the likes of Forza Motorsport 8, Art Directed Nintendo’s Punch-Out and lead UI & UX development on Square Enix Sleeping Dogs & EA’s Need for Speed Underground 1 & 2. Prior to working in games, Eddie cut his teeth in the world of online advertising, designing user experiences for the likes of Mercedes, MensHealth Magazine and African telecom & streaming service providers.

Please register for this free event

Thursday May 16, 2024
12:00pm ET
Zoom – link in Meetup

March 2024: Bring Your Own Topic

March’s meetup is going to be super casual. Bring your lunch, and join us for an hour of socializing and sharing.

Feel free to bring a topic you’d like to discuss, a design you’d like to share, or a question you’d like to ask the group, or if you’d prefer, just show up! The goal is to meet some nice people, and hopefully hear a few interesting things about UX.
 

Please register for this free event

Thursday March 21, 2024
12:00pm ET
Zoom – link in Meetup

February 2024: Sketchnoting As A Visual Communication Tool

Join us for a presentation where you’ll discover the power of sketchnoting as a visual communication tool in product design. Sonny will share insights on how you can start incorporating this skill into your own work, give examples and answer any questions in the field of design.

Sonny Chhen has been in the design industry for over 18+ years and an artist his entire life. Working on mobile, desktop, and web products, he brings his unique view of artistry into the field as well as mentoring others on how they can do the same.

Please register for this free event

Thursday February 22, 2024
12:00pm ET
Zoom – link in Meetup

January 2024: Design Critique Session

It’s 2024 and we’re back at it! This month we will be hosting a group design critique session. Using the framework from Discussing Design by Adam Connor and Aaron Irizarry, we will be facilitating design critique of some UX work.

Please bring any designs that you would like another set of designer eyes on, including designs from your day job (if your company is ok with that), freelance design work (again, check with clients), side projects, or portfolio case studies.

Don’t have anything for review? That’s ok, come look at the designs critically and help provide feedback. Providing and receiving critique are skills that can only be strengthened through practice!

Please register for this free event

Thursday January 25, 2024
12:00pm ET
Zoom – link in Meetup

November 2023: Mentoring and Collaboration – Life Lines in Changing Times

One of the best things about hanging about in the UX space is, no doubt, the variety of types of people, professions and backgrounds in the ecosystem. And the rapid pace of evolution! How do you take full advantage of this time and place to build your skill set, do meaningful work and stay inspired? How can decoding your collaboration style and applying intention to knowledge sharing opportunities keep you moving forward?

Join us and find out.

About Our Speaker

Christy Pettit is Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Pollinate Networks Inc.

Christy has over 25 years of experience helping organizations with innovative leadership and successful implementation of effectiveness best practices in companies worldwide. Christy has supported billion-dollar clients through transformation to successfully increase employee engagement. Christy is an expert on developing knowledge collaboration networks, mentorship programs, effectiveness tracking and assessments for the future of work.

Christy has a BA in English and History from the University of Toronto, with a year of study at the University of Sydney. Christy has a Graduate Diploma in Management and a Masters in Business Administration from Athabasca University’s Centre for Innovative Management.

Please register for this free event

Thursday November 23, 2023
12:00pm ET
Zoom – link in Meetup

October 2023: Portfolio Sharing and Feedback

This month we are going to help each other improve our portfolios, and form some helpful connections, through small group portfolio reviews.

We will spend the first 10-15 minutes talking about the objectives of portfolios and tips for reviewing, then we will break into small groups to take turns sharing our portfolios and giving feedback. Finally, we will come together to share the things we learned.

Please join us prepared to share your portfolio or the start of a case study, or just a willingness to help out your peers!

Please register for this free event

Thursday October 19, 2023
12:00pm ET
Zoom – link in Meetup

September 2023: One More Patio Social at Graffiti Market

We will be having one more patio social while the weather is still warm enough! The meetup will be at Graffiti Market again (137 Glasgow St. Suite 385, Kitchener)! We will be out on the patio for at least 2 hours, so please drop by for as long as you would like. This event is open to all UX professionals and enthusiasts.

Please try to RSVP if you are planning on attending, so that I can update the reservation numbers.

Please register for this free event

Thursday September 21, 2023
5:00pm ET
In Person – Graffiti Market (137 Glasgow St suite 385 · Kitchener).
Masks are optional but welcome 🙂

Also, in case anyone is wondering…

We will likely switch back to virtual meetups starting in October and through the winter to help keep everyone healthy and broaden our accessibility. We haven’t forgotten about you out-of-towners!