The
countdown to the 2020 Conference has switched from months to weeks, and we’re
working hard to make March magical for you with more compelling content during
the second half of the event.
A notable inclusion is the Design Track, which explores a central building block of all
the ideas and industries represented at SXSW. Running from Monday, March 16 – Friday, March 20,
this track will share concepts, insights and tools for design-centered thinking
that can make your projects, whatever they may be, better from the ground up.
Here are some of the most surprising
and essential Design sessions we’re looking forward to this year:
- The Accidental Ethicist: Making AI Human-Centered
(March 18): As designers, we’re now facing the fact that we’re now all
accidental ethicists. This session will build on your existing knowledge and
give you new ways to frame problems, design user behavior, and help to make AI
more explainable — and more ethical. - Behind China’s Great
Firewall: Tech Culture and UX (March 19): Jessica Shen of
R/GA explains how culture and government influence have affected UX and design
trends in China. See how apps break western design conventions, learn how
Chinese users interact with brands, and get a glimpse of e-commerce and
entertainment within this parallel tech universe. - Designing AI Products and Services
(March 19): This session will train UX designers to recognize opportunities to
use AI. Led by Qian Yang and John Zimmerman of Carnegie Mellon, this
presentation will cover AI’s capabilities, design patterns, plus new design
methods. - Designing the Waymo Driver
(March 19): This session explores how Waymo approaches industrial design for
self-driving technology, details its journey from 2009 to now, and offers an
exclusive look into the design behind its latest vehicle platform. - Emerging Trends in
Design, Culture & Leadership (March 20): InVision’s
Head Design Evangelist Stephen Gates shares his knowledge of the biggest trends
that will impact your work, products, culture, and leadership over the next few
years. - Old People are Cool, Design for Them Sucks
(March 20): The last hiding place for consistently terrible design might be the
things made to serve the 55 million Americans over 65. Speakers include Don
Norman, Director of the Design Lab at the University of California, San Diego. - Peace, Equity and
Liberation by Design (March 20): In this discussion, panelists
including Antionette D. Carroll of Creative Reaction Lab will share how they
have developed new social innovation design processes that have been
foundational to creating peace, liberation and equitable products, programs or
initiatives. - Product Prototyping for the Queer Community
(March 19): The road to serving the design needs of the traditionally marginalized
doesn’t come easy. Learn how brands have developed products that encourage us
to create a new aspirational image with room for our unique and diverse best
selves. - Sound and Cities:
Designing for a Better Future (March 20): Join David van
der Leer of DVDL DD and other experts on architecture and design, environmental
research and music composition in a discussion of how sound impacts everything
from productivity and attention to physical wellbeing. Leave with new ideas on
how to design for a better sonic future in our urban communities. - Using Science Fiction to Inspire Innovation
(March 20): Many breakthroughs in design have been inspired by narratives in
science fiction. Learn how our speakers use sci-fi storytelling as a model for
disruptive innovation.
Build success through design and
explore all 22 Conference Tracks by purchasing your badge now. There’s still time to save on the
walk-up rate, and special discounts available for students
and groups
of ten or more. After you register, book your room via SXSW Housing & Travel and take
advantage of lower end-of-the-week pricing on many downtown hotels.
