For SXSW Interactive 2015, Fjord designers Dave Snowball and Peter Burnham will explore emerging technology and designing for the special needs user. Read more about their submission and session content.

1. SXSW2015 Emerging technology empowering
the special needs user

2. Problem
Consumer product ecosystems are typically not designed with special needs users in
mind. Applying new and existing design principles can uncover a number of solutions
made possible with emerging technology which would allow these existing ecosystems
to work for more users.
As designers we need to do more upfront research and validation with end users to
better develop our special use cases before we prototype. When applying new or existing
technologies, technologists need to be in the initial brainstorming exercises so that we
can then narrow down our big ideas into prototypes that can be quickly and iteratively
tested with special needs users.

3. Dave is a digital designer with a passion for elegant, strategic solutions.
With over a decade as a leader in the digital design space, he is the
Visual Design Lead for Fjord based out of San Francisco, where he
oversees the design team to create best-in-class solutions across touch
points and industries. He collaborates with clients, including Disney,
Samsung, JP Morgan Chase, Intuit and HP to design customer-centric
solutions that improve people’s lives, in ways big or small.
!
Dave is an active thought leader, recently speaking at the Warner
Brother’s Media Camp and Digital Hollywood, and also contributing to
the generation of the 2014 Fjord Trends. Dave was also the lead for the
AIGA 2014 Studio Tour at Fjord’s San Francisco office.
Dave Snowball
Design Lead
Peter is a copywriter-entrepreneur-project manager-content strategist turned
interaction designer. After having opened his own business and spending
time at agencies in a variety of roles, he brings with him a well-rounded
understanding for the full lifecycle of a project. As an interaction designer at
Fjord based out of San Francisco, he has a deep understanding for digital and
interactive services, having worked with clients including Google, Apple,
Disney, and Sephora to help them deliver better experiences to
their customers.
!
Peter is passionate about experimenting with new technologies and
collaboration to bringing together all the different skills, expertise, and points
of view in order to design the best possible solution for the user. Peter has
spoken at San Jose State, Ignite San Francisco 2010 and was recently a lead
for Sequence’s AIGA Studio tour in 2013.
Peter Burnham
Senior Interaction Designer

4. EMERGING TECHNOLOGY EMPOWERING THE SPECIAL NEEDS USER
Which research techniques should be applied in the beginning?

5. EMERGING TECHNOLOGY EMPOWERING THE SPECIAL NEEDS USER
How do you develop the appropriate design principles?

6. How is designing for the special needs user different from regular user’s needs?

7. Who do you prototype for and why is it important?

8. Learn more about designing for users
with special needs.
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