A frequent speaker at conferences and events, I bring a global perspective to emerging behavior and the role that technology and design can – and should – play in re-shaping society to be more human centered and user-friendly. Reach out with any requests at: robfab@gmail.com
SELECTED TALKS
INTERACTION / Hindsight is 2020
To understand where we are going as interaction designers we need to start with a better picture of where we have come from. In this talk, I argue that the roots of our history lie in plain sight and have changed the course of industry and society, yet they have not been woven into a coherent story that explains where we are today – when UX has increasingly become the operating system for modern life.
INTERACTION / Behavior is our Medium
Citing examples from ancient history, I present a broad view of interaction design as a practice that has shaped society beyond just computing. I argue that an interaction designer's primary medium is behavior not technology using an example from my social impact work related to HIV prevention in South Africa to demonstrate how design can inform health behavior change.
AIGA / Value Equation for Design
What do we mean by “value” in both a business and social context? What are we learning from the social sector that is leading us to reconsider our definition of the value of design? My keynote set the tone for the conference by looking at different dimensions of the “value equation” for design drawing from my personal experience working with partners like GE and UNICEF.
C-SPAN / User Friendly
Cliff Kuang and I introduce our book User Friendly and reflect on how the history and principles of user experience have shaped society. What do the principles of user-friendly design tell us about the the future of technology and society and our central role as users?
THE GUARDIAN / Network Affordances
I share insights into the ways in which networks internalize and externalize globally, highlighting the void between the connected and unconnected worlds as well as the surprising ways these two worlds are collapsing in the day to day lives of people all over the world.
POP!TECH / Mobile Behavior Change
I discuss an early partnership in South Africa that uses mobile messaging to provide access to HIV information on a national scale opening the door to a new generation of solutions that empower local communities to make better health choices for themselves.
SELECTED INTERVIEWS
NPR ON POINT / User Friendly
The Influence Of UX Design Is growing rapidly. Cliff Kuang and I outline a design philosophy based on the principles of user-friendliness that are quietly reshaping every aspect of our lives and discuss the benefits and drawbacks for everyday users.
DESIGN MATTERS / User Friendly
Debbie talks to Cliff Kuang and I about the history of user-friendly design and the importance of designing for feedback. “I think you have people that don’t know what they’re going to do with the feedback once they get it. And that’s scary too.”
DESIGN DRIVES / Design is a Privilege
Designers have been given the space to question and a belief that we have a role to play in changing the world around us. I discuss both the opportunity and responsibility that comes with being a designer and reflect on what it means to open up more inclusive pathways for creative leadership.