Job: UI designer (web and mobile) at RDM

Location: RDM in Waterloo, Ontario

Team or role: UI designer

Company Information

RDM is a leading provider of specialized software and hardware products for electronic payment processing. RDM has pioneered electronic cheque conversion systems and web based image and transaction management services for banks, retailers, payment processors and government agencies.

Position Summary

We are doing a UI refresh of an existing web application and related mobile app. We are looking for someone to mock up screens in Photoshop, create assets, and create UI guidelines. For specific high priority modules, we also want assistance with usability reviews, workflow improvements, and a more intensive UI redesign. This is a large complex product and requires someone who has experience with software development processes. This is a 4-6 month temporary or contract position.

For more information about this position, and to apply, visit the RDM site.

February 2014: UX Book Club comes to Waterloo Region!

For our February session, we’re handing over the keys to the uxWaterloo car to Katie Cerar and  Davis Neable, two members of the vibrant uxWaterloo community. They have a great initiative to introduce at this session. Take it away, Katie and Davis!

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If you’re like us, January is a time for new projects, collaborations and hopes for making the year ahead the best yet. It’s also a time for trying out new activities, and we’ve got just the thing for you — come reboot your creative energy and get your brain thinking differently at UX Book Club Waterloo!

On Thursday February 20th at 7pm we’ll be holding the first ever UX Book Club Waterloo meetup, as a special UX Waterloo event. You’re invited to come out and discuss the chosen book with the rest of the UX community.

We’ll be meeting in the back room of Symposium in Waterloo, located at 2-4 King Street North (at the corner of King and Erb).

Our book this month will be See What I Mean by Kevin Cheng (Rosenfeld Books). You can buy the book online (hardcopy and digital) at http://rosenfeldmedia.com/books/see-what-i-mean/– and be sure to save 30% using our own discount code UXBCKW!

Here’s a quick synopsis:

Comics are a unique way to communicate, using both image and text to effectively demonstrate time, function, and emotion. Just as vividly as they convey the feats of superheroes, comics tell stories of your users and your products. Comics can provide your organization with an exciting and effective alternative to slogging through requirements documents and long reports. In See What I Mean, Kevin Cheng, OK/Cancel founder/cartoonist and founder of Off Panel Productions, will teach you how you can use comics as a powerful communication tool without trained illustrators. (from http://rosenfeldmedia.com/books/see-what-i-mean/)

All we ask is that you come ready to share something that really resonated with you and something that threw you for a loop. And, of course, if you’re not able to get through the book, no problem – you might still find you have something to contribute or learn!

Does that sound good to you? If so, please register for this event as it helps to make sure we have enough snacks etc.

We can’t wait to have you!

Katie Cerar (LinkedIn, @KatieCerar) Davis Neable (LinkedIn, @DavisN) —————-

Q. What is UX Book Club?

A. UX Book Club is a social gathering where we happen to talk about UX books. In a comfortable atmosphere with drinks and food, we’ll discuss a book through a UX lens. Whether you’re new to UX or an old pro, you can expect a lively and respectful debate, and you should come home with some new perspectives to inspire you in your practice. Try to come prepared with a few things you liked about the book, and one thing you did not agree with.

Q. Where will UX Book Club be held?

A. This UX Book Club event will be held at LOCATION as part of UX Waterloo. Future UX Book Clubs may be in pubs, restaurants, coffee shops, or event peoples’ houses! The comfier, the better.

Q. How often will you be holding UX Book Club meetups?

A. Right now we’re thinking of having them once every 3 months. However, we want to run them as often as works best with your schedule. Please send us any and all feedback you have – we’d love to hear from you.

Note that this event starts at 7:00pm and is happening at Symposium Café

Thursday February 20, 2014 7:00pm Symposium Café 2-4 King Street North Waterloo, ON N2J 2W7

January 2014: Designing a product for Kickstarter

Andrew Gardner is an industrial designer whose love of pens and magnets led to the creation of the Polar Pen, an ingenious product that took Kickstarter by storm. Starting with a modest goal of raising $14,000, the project ended up raising over $800,000 by the time it closed.

Andrew’s approach to the project, and the various hurdles that he faced along the way, make for a compelling story with, valuable insights into the process of designing and bringing a new product to market. He’ll be sharing his story with us this month, and it’s sure to be an enlightening session!

Andrew’s design firm, INDIEDESIGN, has worked on projects for a variety of organizations, including Canada’s Olympic team. The company’s stated mission is to “take ideas and dreams and transform them into reality”. Aim big!

Thursday January 16, 2014
5:30 to 7:00 pm
Communitech Hub, P2P Room
151 Charles St. W.
Kitchener, ON N2G 1H6

December 2013: Best Practices in Accessible User Experience Design for Mobile Devices

Designing simplified user experiences for complex and complicated products is hard work. Designing user experiences destined for consumption and interaction on the latest generation of mobile devices introduces slightly different challenges and constraints. Designing user experiences that can be used effectively and universally by customers of all shapes and sizes, abilities and disabilities, is an even more difficult venture that can be very challenging and rewarding for software engineers and UX practitioners. Join Greg Fields as he uses real world examples to explore the best practices and heuristics for creating mobile user experiences that are both accessible and usable. Adventurous attendees are welcome to bring in examples of their work for review and evaluation.

Greg Fields manages a portfolio of BlackBerry Handheld Software products and services at BlackBerry (nee Research In Motion), is a Certified Usability Analyst, remains an Interaction Designer hobbyist, and is generally a curious guy. He has led the introduction of accessible BlackBerry products and services over the last 7 years, led the institutionalization of Accessibility @ BlackBerry, has worked closely with end users in 100+ instances of user studies, is an innovator with 20+ patents in the area of Wireless/UI/Human Factors, and has contributed to international research and standards in the area of Human Factors.

Note that we’re meeting on a Tuesday this month!

Tuesday December 10, 2013
5:30 to 7:00 pm
Communitech Hub, P2P Room
151 Charles St. W.
Kitchener, ON N2G 1H6

November 2013: Changing the way streets are designed

This month, our special guest is Cory Bluhm, who is manager of downtown development for the City of Kitchener. Cory will be sharing insights about the thinking that went into the user experience of the downtown Kitchener streetscape.

For decades, streets in North America have been designed around utilitarian needs, rather than user experience. Durability, vehicular access and infrastructure servicing took precedence over creating spaces that are attractive and inviting. But in 2010, the City of Kitchener completed the transformation of King Street – one of the first streets in North America to be designed entirely around user experience. Now, King Street has become the model for other cities, like Toronto, Buffalo, Guelph and Niagara Falls, who are building new pedestrian-focused streets. Learn about the thinking behind the new King Street design including the not so obvious changes that have helped breathe life into this street. For example, why do the sidewalks seem wider when in actuality they got smaller? Why does the street seem lively at night, even at times when there aren’t many people around? But be warned, you may never look at a street the same way again.

Please note that we’re meeting at Kitchener City Hall for this event!

Thursday November 21, 2013
5:30 to 7:00 pm
Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room
200 King St. W.
Kitchener, ON

Here are some parking options for City Hall.

Fluxible draws experts to Waterloo Region from around the world

User experience has become a familiar phrase to just about everyone in the technology business. For companies looking to distinguish their products in a crowded marketplace, UX is the not-so-secret weapon for turning potential customers into raving fans.

But how do you create a great user experience? How do you set up a team or an organization to deliver it? How do you even break into the field as a career?

All these questions and many more will be addressed on September 14–15 at Fluxible, the UX party disguised as a conference. This is the second edition of Fluxible, a home-grown event in downtown Kitchener that has already developed a reputation outside Canada for its solid content and quirky sense of fun. Last year’s inaugural event was a resounding success, with cheers of encouragement from the audience when asked if they want it again in 2013. Well, here we are!

This year, you’ll enjoy talks and half-day workshops from some of the most respected and knowledgeable experts in their fields. Topics include the culture of design teams, the power of metaphor in design, starting out in UX, design that drives action, Lean UX, and much more.

With a mix of excellent content and ample opportunity to meet UX practitioners from around the world, Fluxible provides an immersive and enlightening weekend for everyone. Add a healthy dose of live music, art, and hand planes — and a great experience gets even better.

Whether you’re an aspiring designer, a practicing researcher, a hiring manager or startup founder, or just someone with an interest in learning how to design great experiences, Fluxible has something for you.

And it gets better. Fluxible has provided a special “uxWaterloo” promotional code that unlocks a $200 discount off regular registration. Don’t miss this chance at an exceptional UX learning opportunity. Register today!

September 2013: Making a career in UX

A career that focuses on user experience in creating products or services is one that is engaging, enlightening, and rewarding. It’s one that many people are attracted to, and yet, as a still-young field, it isn’t always clear what the best career path is, either when starting out or when trying to grow mid-career.

We’re here to help!

In this session we’ll have a group discussion on UX careers, led by a pair of people whose deep knowledge will benefit anyone interested in a career in UX.

Kate Wilhelm has been owning her development as a user experience practitioner since she became the first Information Architect at BlackBerry seven years ago. She creates opportunities to learn and grow through whatever scrappy means she can devise, both on the job and off, and finds ways to bring others along for the ride. At BlackBerry, Kate works on making it easier for developers to create apps for BlackBerry. She also works on bringing a user focus to projects and on building awareness and capacity for UX in her company and community. Kate is delivering a career-related workshop at Fluxible (September 14&15), Starting Out or Bulking Up: UX Circuit Training for Any Fitness Level.

Kristina McDougall has spent more than 15 years working with local software companies, delivering recruiting solutions, and also working directly as a software sales rep and consultant. Kristina leads recruitment and executive search for The Laudi Group, managing critical senior level searches for high-growth tech clients. It is her goal and passion to help the leaders of Canada’s tech sector, by connecting them with the talented individuals who will drive their success.

Bring your questions and your own experiences to this session, and together we’ll discover ways to illuminate your UX career path.

Register for the uxWaterloo September meeting. Hope to see you there!

Where and when

Thursday September 12, 2013
5:30 to 7:00 pm
Communitech Hub, P2P Room
151 Charles St. W.
Kitchener, ON N2G 1H6

Job: UX Designer at Henkaa

Company: Henkaa

Location: Toronto, Ontario

company information

“Henka,” which means change in Japanese is where the name for our convertible fashion and accessories company is derived.  At Henkaa, everything changes and our flagship product is the innovative Sakura convertible dress, which is essentially one dress that can transform into infinite styles.  The mission at Henkaa is to be a canvas that empowers women of all shapes, sizes, and walks of life to do more with less, to reuse and repurpose, to innovate, to educate, to share, to create opportunity, to grow, and to inspire us and each other. The Henkaa brand was started locally in Toronto, we proudly manufacture domestically in Canada and our sales have grown exponentially on a global scale. We are currently looking for a recent graduate to join our talented team as a UI/UX designer and take part in our quest to become the dominant vendor in the convertible fashion market. Check us out at www.henkaa.com!


position summary

Are you a brilliant problem solver, quick learner, self starter and excellent communicator who can embrace our dynamic culture and is eager to be a part of something really big? As the UI/UX Designer,  you will define the customer experience, including online, email and mobile touch points to support Henkaa’s strategies and goals. You will build, enhance and improve UI flows. The UI/UX Designer is experienced in end-to-end user experience design, has a keen understanding of interaction design patterns/trends and understands the importance of strong effective UX design and how it impacts user experience, loyalty and overall customer satisfaction.

The position duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Take ownership of the overall site usability – development, assessment and communication of website usage
• Conceptualize, design and enhance user interaction designs from concept to go-live including page layout, online content, user interface graphics, icons, color schemes and content
• Design for a variety of platforms focusing first on the web browser
• Understand desired customer experience and produce innovative designs, interactions and flows to improve overall experience
• Manage usability testing for prototypes and gather feedback for iterations of design
• Analyze site metrics, drive usability testing and recommend changes
• Providing information to management by assembling and summarizing data, preparing reports, making presentations of finding, analysis, and recommendations.
• Define how people interact with our consumer sites
• Brainstorm, research, wireframe, design and refine user experiences
• Work with the team prototyping, designing and building new features
• Develop and perform usability sessions with consumers
• Implement designs and fully code applications front to back end using JavaScript, CSS and HTML

does this sound like you?

• At least 3-5 years of experience in computer interaction, usability and user interface design best practices
• Proficiency in design tools: CSS and dynamic HTML and Adobe Suite Master (Fireworks, Illustrator, Photoshop, Dreamweaver)
• Experienced with responsive design methodologies
• Ability to learn and adapt Usability and human factors Passionate about social product design
• Strong organizational skills and an acute attention to detail

At Henkaa, we are constantly changing and adapting as we continually strive to make our company better and to provide a great, challenging and creative experience for our employees and customers alike. If you believe you would be a great fit in our growing company and would thrive in this role, then we want to hear from you!

www.henkaa.com/careers

Please include a cover letter, resume, portfolio and salary expectations with your application.

We thank all candidates for applying, but only short listed candidates will be contacted. Thank you for your interest in Henkaa!

August 2013: Another informal pub meetup

If July’s event wasn’t enough, we continue our lazy summer schedule with an August uxWaterloo session that features more informal talk and drinks! The laid-back atmosphere and conversations remain a welcome addition to any summer schedule. Join us!

Yet again, there’s a very good chance that Bob and Mark will provide an update on Fluxible 2013. There are some exciting things brewing!

Please register for this free event

Thursday August 15, 2013
5:30 to 7:00 pm
Patio at The Barley Works
(upstairs in the Huether Hotel)
59 King St. North
Waterloo, Ontario

July 2013: Informal pub meetup

It’s time to chase away those summertime blues with a July uxWaterloo session that features informal talk and drinks! We’ve done this before, and the laid-back atmosphere and conversations are a welcome addition to any summer schedule. Join us!

As an added bonus, there’s a very good chance that Bob and Mark will provide an update on Fluxible 2013. There are some exciting things brewing!

Please register for this free event

Thursday July 18, 2013
5:30 to 7:00 pm
Patio at The Barley Works
(upstairs in the Huether Hotel)
59 King St. North
Waterloo, Ontario