110 - Kamaria Campbell

Critical Processes in Design Systems:

• Emphasis on building from a library of UI components and visual language.
• Importance of collaboration between designers and developers.
• The notion of a design system as a product serving products, requiring evolution, roadmap, support, and marketing.

Strategic Planning for Design Systems:

• Life cycles of design systems as generations, each with its focus and operational mode.
• The necessity of strategic periods, production processes, and shifts to business-as-usual modes.
• Prioritization of initiatives and the balance between major investments and ongoing feature development.

Contributions to Design Systems:

• Challenges with the conventional approach to contributions.
• Advocating for a shift from central governance to facilitating direct sharing and reuse among teams.
• Success stories of changing perspectives on contributions leading to more effective collaboration and system growth.

Evolution of Design Systems:

• Higher levels of rigor and formality in design system teams compared to product teams.
• The influence of design systems on establishing effective work practices and fostering cultures of critique.
• The importance of adaptability, experimentation, and less formal rigor in design systems.

Emerging Trends and Technologies:

• The imminent impact of AI and automation on design systems.
• The future emphasis on composition skills and the importance of understanding nested structures and layouts.
• The need for design professionals to adapt to tools that automate previously manual tasks.

Notable Quotes

• "A design system is a product serving products."
• "Contributions is a bit of a bad word in design systems."
• "The best design systems are the ones that know how to change and evolve."
• "AI is right around the corner, impacting design systems significantly."

Reference Materials

• Blog post by Nathan Curtis titled "A Design System is a Product Serving Products" (2016).

About Tent Talks

Chicago Camps hosts irregularly scheduled Tent Talks with people from all across the User Experience Design community, and beyond. Who really likes limits, anyway--If it's a cool idea, we'd love to hear about it and share it!

What is a Tent Talk? That's a great question, we'd love to tell you.

Tent Talks are short-form in nature, generally lasting from 10-20 minutes (ish) in a recorded format--we like to think of them as "S'mores-sized content" because that's pretty on-brand. Tent Talks can be a presentation on a topic, a live Q&A session about the work we do, or the work around the work we do, or really just about anything--we don't want to limit ourselves, or you.

You should send along an idea or topic of your own so we can learn from you, as well! You don't have to be a published author or a professional speaker on a circuit to be good at your job, so please, put yourself forward, and let's have some fun, talk, and share your experience with others!

Session Overview

Christine Perfetti dives into the concept of "Strategic Rallying" as a team-based, collaborative approach aimed at setting and executing a strategy and product vision with a focus on understanding and involving both external users/customers and internal team members of an organization. She shares insights from her experience, particularly a successful implementation at Aquia, where a one-day workshop with cross-functional teams led to significant alignment on product vision and strategy. Perfetti emphasizes the importance of involving the team in the process to foster ownership and execution on the vision. Additionally, she provides steps for organizations to shift towards a problem-space ideation culture and highlights the role of Strategic Rallying in bridging the gap between research insights and actionable outcomes. Moreover, she discusses recalibrating organizational culture to celebrate team success beyond traditional metrics and addresses how her approach tackles team chemistry within product development.

Strategic Rallying Defined:

• Emphasizes a collaborative approach for setting and executing strategy and vision.
• Involves internal teams in the process, fostering a sense of ownership.
• Utilizes workshops to gather and prioritize ideas towards a long-term product direction.

Shifting Towards Problem-Space Ideation:

• Recommends a preparatory process involving stakeholder engagement, user research, and strategic planning.
• Advocates for involving cross-functional teams early and throughout the process.

Bridging Research and Action Gaps:

• Identifies common gaps where research insights do not lead to actionable outcomes.
• Suggests that involving stakeholders in the research and visioning process increases investment in and execution on insights.

Fostering Collaborative Culture:

• Advises on shifting focus from solely measurable outcomes to also valuing relationships and team successes.
• Emphasizes the importance of prioritizing relationships and celebrating collective achievements to foster a collaborative culture.

Tackling Team Chemistry:

• Outlines four internal pillars essential for product success, including team chemistry.
• Discusses how Strategic Rallying can improve team chemistry by promoting partnership and collaboration.

Notable Quotes

• "Involving your teams in setting the vision and strategy for your company and product is crucial."
• "Strategic Rallying is about bringing together cross-functional teams to collect their brilliant ideas."
• "It's not enough for your team to understand the vision; they need to contribute to it and evangelize around it."
• "Shifting from a solution-focused mindset to a problem space ideation culture involves preparing through stakeholder engagement and user research."
• "The key to bridging research and action gaps is to involve stakeholders in the process, making them more invested in the outcomes."

Reference Materials

• Jared Spool's articles on connecting research to actionable outcomes and celebrating team wins.
• Todd Zaki Warfel's work on the design studio method for ideation and convergence.

About Tent Talks

Chicago Camps hosts irregularly scheduled Tent Talks with people from all across the User Experience Design community, and beyond. Who really likes limits, anyway--If it's a cool idea, we'd love to hear about it and share it!

What is a Tent Talk? That's a great question, we'd love to tell you.

Tent Talks are short-form in nature, generally lasting from 10-20 minutes (ish) in a recorded format--we like to think of them as "S'mores-sized content" because that's pretty on-brand. Tent Talks can be a presentation on a topic, a live Q&A session about the work we do, or the work around the work we do, or really just about anything--we don't want to limit ourselves, or you.

You should send along an idea or topic of your own so we can learn from you, as well! You don't have to be a published author or a professional speaker on a circuit to be good at your job, so please, put yourself forward, and let's have some fun, talk, and share your experience with others!

Finding Your Voice:

• Danielle is still on a journey to discover what she wants to share with the world, using her experiences with Women Talk Design and the process of writing "Present Yourself."
• She aims to empower others to amplify their impact, believing in supporting others to do their best work and share their ideas.

Unfinished Stories in Presentations:

• Unfinished stories can make audiences feel less alone, invite collaboration, and allow speakers to outline potential outcomes.
• Sharing unfinished work can be intimidating, but it fosters connection, collaboration, and opens up discussions.

Five Beliefs in Public Speaking:

• Public speaking has no one right way; diversity in presentation styles enriches the field.
• New voices are crucial for industry and societal evolution.
• Acknowledging that public speaking is not a level playing field is vital for inclusivity.
• Improvement in public speaking comes with practice.
• Community support is essential for resilience and effectiveness in public speaking.

Lessons from Self-Publishing:

• Building a supportive team early and considering a book coach are critical steps.
• Understanding the timeline and process intricacies is necessary for a smooth publication.
• Setting clear processes and boundaries helps manage collaborations and version control effectively.
• Recognizing the various editing stages and maintaining control over content changes is important.

Notable Quotes:

• "Empowering others amplifies impact beyond individual efforts."
• "Unfinished stories connect, collaborate, and create opportunities for dialogue."
• "Diverse voices and approaches enrich public speaking and thought leadership."
• "Self-publishing is a journey of learning, adaptation, and community support."

Reference Materials:

"Present Yourself" Book:

• Authors: Danielle Barnes and Christina Wodtke.
• Focus: A comprehensive guide to public speaking, aimed at empowering readers to find and amplify their voices. The book distills insights from the authors' experiences and lessons learned through their professional journeys and work at Women Talk Design. It includes practical advice, exercises ("now try" sections), and strategies for improving public speaking skills. The book emphasizes the importance of practice, inclusivity, and adapting one's approach over time.

Kat Vellos' "Designer to Author" Course:

• Creator: Kat Vellos, a designer and author known for her self-published works and educational initiatives.
• Content: This course is designed for designers and other creatives who are interested in writing and publishing their own books. It covers the end-to-end process of book creation, from ideation and writing to publishing and marketing. Vellos shares her own experiences and lessons learned, providing a roadmap for others to follow in her footsteps. The course is valuable for anyone considering self-publishing, offering insights into overcoming common challenges and making informed decisions throughout the publishing journey.

Women Talk Design Events and Workshops:

• Organization: Women Talk Design is dedicated to increasing the visibility and influence of women and non-binary individuals in design and technology through public speaking.
• Offerings: The organization hosts a variety of events, workshops, and training programs focused on public speaking, leadership, and career development. These initiatives are designed to help participants develop their speaking skills, discover their unique voices, and gain the confidence to present their ideas effectively. Women Talk Design's programs are characterized by a supportive community atmosphere, practical learning experiences, and a commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in the tech and design fields.

These materials and initiatives collectively support individuals in their journeys to become more effective communicators and leaders, emphasizing the value of diverse perspectives, continuous learning, and community engagement in professional growth.

About Tent Talks

Chicago Camps hosts irregularly scheduled Tent Talks with people from all across the User Experience Design community, and beyond. Who really likes limits, anyway--If it's a cool idea, we'd love to hear about it and share it!

What is a Tent Talk? That's a great question, we'd love to tell you.

Tent Talks are short-form in nature, generally lasting from 10-20 minutes (ish) in a recorded format--we like to think of them as "S'mores-sized content" because that's pretty on-brand. Tent Talks can be a presentation on a topic, a live Q&A session about the work we do, or the work around the work we do, or really just about anything--we don't want to limit ourselves, or you.

You should send along an idea or topic of your own so we can learn from you, as well! You don't have to be a published author or a professional speaker on a circuit to be good at your job, so please, put yourself forward, and let's have some fun, talk, and share your experience with others!

Session Overview

In this episode of Tent Talks, Christine McGlade, a sessional lecturer on digital futures at OCAD University, shares her insights on designing tomorrow with a focus on ethics and AI. Christine discusses the importance of futures thinking as a design discipline akin to systems thinking, emphasizing the need for ongoing engagement with the world to anticipate changes. She highlights the challenges of finding trusted primary sources in an era where AI-generated content is becoming increasingly prevalent, leading to a potential "model collapse." Christine also delves into the ethical dilemmas faced by designers in creating AI-driven solutions and the importance of incorporating ethical considerations into the design process. Additionally, she shares her thoughts on the intersection of humor and AI, suggesting that while AI struggles with creating humor, it can be a powerful tool to address ethical issues in AI.

Approaching Futures Thinking in AI:

• Futures thinking is likened to a design discipline, stressing the importance of scanning for signals of change.
• Challenges in finding trusted primary sources due to the proliferation of AI-generated content.
• The importance of using tools like Perplexity.ai and Google Scholar to access primary sources.

Model Collapse and AI:

• Model collapse results from an increase in AI-generated training data, leading to a decrease in the quality of AI outputs.
• Concerns about data pollution and the echoing of mediocrity in AI-generated content.
• The introduction of artist-developed countermeasures like Nightshade to protect their work from being used as AI training data.

Ethical Considerations in AI-Driven Design:

• The need for designers to focus on the process rather than the outcomes when using AI to generate designs.
• Encouraging students to demonstrate their problem-solving process, emphasizing that the journey is as important as the destination.
• The limitations of AI in fully capturing the creative and design process, particularly in art and design.

Humor as a Tool in Addressing AI Ethics:

• AI's inability to create humor effectively, especially in sensitive or nuanced topics.
• The potential for humor to address and highlight ethical issues in AI, despite AI's limitations in understanding or generating humor.

Notable Quotes:

• "Futures thinking... is helping students to foster... a kind of ongoing engagement with the world."
• "It's actually pretty difficult to find trusted primary sources."
• "We're not getting innovation, right? And that's the bottom line."
• "The outcome is not the thing. The road that you travel to get there, that's the thing."

Reference Materials:

• Jeremy Rifkin's "The Empathic Civilization": This book is widely available and can be found on major book retailer websites, such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your local bookstore's online platform. Additionally, it may be available in digital format through platforms like Kindle or Audible for audiobooks.
• TechTarget Article on Model Collapse:  Model collapse in the context of AI refers to a situation where a machine learning model fails to generalize from its training data, often due to overfitting on synthetic or unrepresentative training data, resulting in the model producing increasingly homogenous or inaccurate outputs. This issue underscores the importance of using diverse and representative data in training AI models to ensure they perform reliably in real-world applications.
• Nielsen Norman's Publications on Working with AI as Designers: The Nielsen Norman Group is renowned for its research and publications on user experience (UX) design.
• Nightshade: Nightshade is a tool designed to protect artists' copyrights by transforming images into "poison" samples that disrupt AI model training. It aims to deter the use of unlicensed data by introducing unpredictable behaviors in models trained on such data, making licensing a more appealing option. Nightshade and Glaze serve complementary roles: Glaze protects individual artworks from style mimicry, while Nightshade offers a collective defense against unauthorized scraping, with both aiming to support artists and encourage responsible data use in AI development.

About Tent Talks

Chicago Camps hosts irregularly scheduled Tent Talks with people from all across the User Experience Design community, and beyond. Who really likes limits, anyway--If it's a cool idea, we'd love to hear about it and share it!

What is a Tent Talk? That's a great question, we'd love to tell you.

Tent Talks are short-form in nature, generally lasting from 10-20 minutes (ish) in a recorded format--we like to think of them as "S'mores-sized content" because that's pretty on-brand. Tent Talks can be a presentation on a topic, a live Q&A session about the work we do, or the work around the work we do, or really just about anything--we don't want to limit ourselves, or you.

You should send along an idea or topic of your own so we can learn from you, as well! You don't have to be a published author or a professional speaker on a circuit to be good at your job, so please, put yourself forward, and let's have some fun, talk, and share your experience with others!

In this insightful Tent Talks episode, Alison Gretz, a seasoned leader in the design industry, shares her unique leadership philosophy and how it has positively impacted her team dynamics and conflict resolution. Alison emphasizes the importance of viewing leadership roles as partnerships and coaching opportunities rather than positions of command and control. She discusses the application of Radical Candor, a concept by Kim Scott, in her leadership approach, highlighting the balance between honesty and sensitivity in team communications. Alison also explores strategies for fostering open communication and encouraging team members to engage in difficult conversations.

Leadership Philosophy and Conflict Resolution:

• Leadership as partnership and coaching, rather than command and control.
• Importance of facilitation and understanding team dynamics.
• Encouragement of dissenting opinions and open communication.
• Navigating personal styles and conflicts for team betterment.

Applying Radical Candor:

• Foundation of trust and caring for successful application.
• Four communication styles: obnoxious aggression, ruinous empathy, manipulative insincerity, and radical candor.
• Emphasis on caring genuinely and addressing issues directly.
• Personal growth through feedback and clear, kind communication.

Balance in High Stakes Situations:

• Foundation of trust and caring is crucial.
• Importance of considering the receiver's perspective and readiness.
• Direct and clear communication for effective understanding.
• Strategies for feedback and creating a supportive environment.

Adapting Leadership in Diverse Teams:

• Application of design skills to stakeholder relationships.
• Importance of aligning goals and building trusting relationships.
• Strategies for dealing with tough relationships and disagreements.
• Emphasis on inclusivity and understanding different perspectives.

Encouraging Open Communication:

• Creating safe and approachable spaces for team members.
• Importance of facilitation across different work environments.
• Strategies for anonymous feedback and enforcing a no-asshole policy.
• Support for team members in preparing for and debriefing after difficult conversations.

Notable Quotes:

• "Leadership is about partnership and coaching, not command and control."
• "Radical Candor requires a foundation of trust and caring."
• "Navigating team dynamics demands honesty, sensitivity, and a strong foundation of trust."
• "Encouraging open communication involves creating safe spaces and supporting team members through challenges."

About Tent Talks

Chicago Camps hosts irregularly scheduled Tent Talks with people from all across the User Experience Design community, and beyond. Who really likes limits, anyway--If it's a cool idea, we'd love to hear about it and share it!

What is a Tent Talk? That's a great question, we'd love to tell you.

Tent Talks are short-form in nature, generally lasting from 10-20 minutes (ish) in a recorded format--we like to think of them as "S'mores-sized content" because that's pretty on-brand. Tent Talks can be a presentation on a topic, a live Q&A session about the work we do, or the work around the work we do, or really just about anything--we don't want to limit ourselves, or you.

You should send along an idea or topic of your own so we can learn from you, as well! You don't have to be a published author or a professional speaker on a circuit to be good at your job, so please, put yourself forward, and let's have some fun, talk, and share your experience with others!

In this episode of Tent Talks, Sunni Brown and Liya James share their insights on the creation of a virtual community centered around contemplative practices at the Center for Deep Self Design. They emphasize the impact these practices have had on their lives, enabling them to live more authentically and utilize their full potential. The conversation delves into the method behind Deep Self Design, highlighting its focus on exploring the inner world with benevolence and compassion rather than avoidance. They share personal and professional experiences to illustrate the transformative power of engaging with one's inner world, underscoring the method's effectiveness in fostering personal growth, overcoming internal obstacles, and enhancing relational dynamics.

Deep Self Design Virtual Community:

• Creating a community for people interested in contemplative practices.
• Focus on personal growth, leadership, and becoming better at life and work.
• Transitioning to a virtual community to reach more people.

Deep Self Design Method:

• Emphasizes engaging with the inner world for personal insight and growth.
• Different from other methods by encouraging exploration and benevolence.
• Particularly beneficial for designers and creative professionals facing obstacles.

Challenges Addressed by Deep Self Design:

• Suitable for personal risk-taking, career changes, and overcoming internal obstacles.
• Helps with achieving personal and professional goals through inner exploration.

Personal Benefits from Applying Deep Self Design:

• Provides a pathway to peace, inner stability, and resilience in the face of challenges.
• Has been a transformative and healing process for both Sunni and Liya.

Notable Quotes:

• "Engage with the inner world because there's data in there to help you get to where you need to go."
• "Real courage comes from working with self-talk in a compassionate way."
• "Deep Self Design is well suited for taking the meaning out of it's not just about you."
• "Exploring thoughts and being curious about them can open up a whole world that helps you understand why you behave a certain way."
• "Peace and inner stability... that's the thing we both return to again and again in the face of chaos and adversity."

About Tent Talks

Chicago Camps hosts irregularly scheduled Tent Talks with people from all across the User Experience Design community, and beyond. Who really likes limits, anyway--If it's a cool idea, we'd love to hear about it and share it!

What is a Tent Talk? That's a great question, we'd love to tell you.

Tent Talks are short-form in nature, generally lasting from 10-20 minutes (ish) in a recorded format--we like to think of them as "S'mores-sized content" because that's pretty on-brand. Tent Talks can be a presentation on a topic, a live Q&A session about the work we do, or the work around the work we do, or really just about anything--we don't want to limit ourselves, or you.

You should send along an idea or topic of your own so we can learn from you, as well! You don't have to be a published author or a professional speaker on a circuit to be good at your job, so please, put yourself forward, and let's have some fun, talk, and share your experience with others!

Session Overview

In this enlightening Tent Talks session with Yaddy Arroyo, we dove into the intricate world of AI UX design leadership. Yaddy shared valuable insights on the differences between traditional UX design leadership and AI UX design leadership, emphasizing the importance of a diverse skill set, adaptability, and ethical considerations in AI projects. She highlighted the necessity of leaders to have hands-on experience in AI product design and development, along with the crucial role of natural language understanding in AI UX design. Yaddy also addressed the special UX considerations for digital human design and offered advice for companies looking to build a competent AI UX practice.

Key Differences in AI UX Design Leadership:

• Importance of being a good human and caring about others.
• AI UX leaders need AI experience to attract high-caliber talent.
• AI leadership involves abstract thinking and a respect for content design.
• AI leaders must be adaptable, open, and able to handle ambiguity.
• Ethical considerations, like diversity and user privacy, are crucial in AI UX.

Ethical Implications in AI Product Design:

• Necessity of diverse teams to reduce algorithmic bias.
• Importance of user privacy and data protection.
• Ethical considerations extend beyond UX to sourcing and handling of data.
• AI leaders must advocate for ethical practices and understand the broader impact of their decisions.

Importance of Hands-On Experience:

• Leaders with AI experience are crucial for guiding teams effectively.
• Leaders must understand AI intricacies to make informed decisions.
• Hands-on experience helps leaders mentor and elevate their teams.

Building a Competent AI UX Practice:

• Emphasize hiring leaders who are teachable and can nurture talent.
• Focus on upskilling existing workforce with a mindset for learning and adaptability.
• Encourage a culture of collaboration and continuous learning.

Role of Natural Language Understanding (NLU):

• NLU is foundational to AI UX design, especially in crafting user interactions.
• Understanding user communication and processing is key to effective AI UX design.
• Content design closely aligns with NLU and is critical in AI UX.

UX Considerations for Digital Human Design:

• Focus on human factors and understanding user mindsets in various scenarios.
• Design must account for different user needs and urgency levels.

Continuous Learning in AI for Leadership:

• Learn from industry professionals and hands-on experience.
• Engage in professional communities, attend conferences, and follow AI thought leaders.
• Understand AI technology fundamentals and stay updated with evolving trends.

Notable Quotes:

• "AI UX leaders need to be adaptable, open, and able to handle ambiguity."
• "Diversity in teams is key to creating ethical AI products."
• "Hands-on AI experience is crucial for effective leadership."
• "Continuous learning and adaptability are essential in AI UX practice."
• "NLU is foundational to AI UX, shaping user interactions and content design."

About Tent Talks

Chicago Camps hosts irregularly scheduled Tent Talks with people from all across the User Experience Design community, and beyond. Who really likes limits, anyway--If it's a cool idea, we'd love to hear about it and share it!

What is a Tent Talk? That's a great question, we'd love to tell you.

Tent Talks are short-form in nature, generally lasting from 10-20 minutes (ish) in a recorded format--we like to think of them as "S'mores-sized content" because that's pretty on-brand. Tent Talks can be a presentation on a topic, a live Q&A session about the work we do, or the work around the work we do, or really just about anything--we don't want to limit ourselves, or you.

You should send along an idea or topic of your own so we can learn from you, as well! You don't have to be a published author or a professional speaker on a circuit to be good at your job, so please, put yourself forward, and let's have some fun, talk, and share your experience with others!

The session with Jane Ruffino explored the often overlooked yet crucial role of content in technology and design. Jane, a content strategist, discussed how content acts as a foundational infrastructure in digital products and services, likening it to the integral but usually invisible components of physical infrastructure. She shared her experiences in various projects, highlighting the importance of integrating content design from the onset rather than treating it as an afterthought. Jane also touched on the challenges of advocating for the value of content in tech environments and the importance of building alliances and educating colleagues about the vital role of content.

Content as Infrastructure

• Content is a foundational element in products and services, akin to infrastructure in its essential yet often invisible role.
• Jane shared a project experience where content design was initially sidelined but later recognized as critical in structuring user interactions and decision paths.
• The project highlighted the importance of considering content early in the design process and integrating it with other aspects of product development.

Value of Content in Tech Environments

• Convincing others of the importance of content is challenging; success often lies in working with those who already acknowledge its value.
• Jane emphasized the importance of making informed decisions about content and helping others understand these choices.
• She noted similarities between the challenges faced by content strategists and engineers, suggesting potential alliances.

Educating on Technical Concepts

• Jane's approach to teaching complex subjects involves meeting people where they are and focusing on their goals rather than overwhelming them with jargon.
• She shared her experience teaching archaeology to school kids, using relatable scenarios to make the subject engaging and accessible.

Advocacy for Content

• Advocacy in content strategy is about forming alliances and understanding the type of gap (awareness, knowledge, value) you're trying to close.
• Measuring the impact of advocacy and content work can be difficult; success often lies in prevention of problems rather than easily quantifiable metrics.

Notable Quotes

• "Content is not an afterthought; it's the structure we build everything else around."
• "In content design, success is often about making informed decisions and helping others see the value in those choices."
• "Teaching is about helping people see the world through a new lens, not just imparting knowledge."
• "Advocacy for content isn't just about promoting its importance; it's about forming strategic alliances and being recognized for your expertise."

About Tent Talks

Chicago Camps hosts irregularly scheduled Tent Talks with people from all across the User Experience Design community, and beyond. Who really likes limits, anyway--If it's a cool idea, we'd love to hear about it and share it!

What is a Tent Talk? That's a great question, we'd love to tell you.

Tent Talks are short-form in nature, generally lasting from 10-20 minutes (ish) in a recorded format--we like to think of them as "S'mores-sized content" because that's pretty on-brand. Tent Talks can be a presentation on a topic, a live Q&A session about the work we do, or the work around the work we do, or really just about anything--we don't want to limit ourselves, or you.

You should send along an idea or topic of your own so we can learn from you, as well! You don't have to be a published author or a professional speaker on a circuit to be good at your job, so please, put yourself forward, and let's have some fun, talk, and share your experience with others!

In this episode of Tent Talks, Tim Frick delves into the evolving landscape of digital sustainability, a topic that's gaining traction but still relatively niche. Tim discusses recent regulatory changes, like the EU's Climate Sustainability Reporting Directive and Biden's executive order on AI, highlighting their impact on sustainability. He envisions a future where sustainable practices in digital product design and development become the norm, driven by a growing awareness and desire for change.

Tim also touches on the significant environmental impact of the internet and data centers, a revelation from his journey as a B Corp advocate. The discussion also covers the Web Sustainability Guidelines (WSGs) and their potential to shape web development and design. Tim acknowledges challenges like lack of awareness, technical debt, data accessibility, and legislative incentives in adopting sustainable practices. Lastly, he emphasizes the importance of inclusive economic practices and regenerative design in the digital product lifecycle and advises on measuring and communicating the impact of sustainability initiatives, drawing on his experiences with MightyBytes and B Corp certification.

Digital Sustainability's Future:

• Digital sustainability is an emerging, niche topic.
• Growing awareness in both technology and sustainability sectors.
• Hope for sustainability to become a default in digital product design in the next decade.
• Significant environmental impact of internet and data centers highlighted.

Web Sustainability Guidelines:

• WSGs developed to provide guidance in digital sustainability.
• A multidisciplinary approach covering business, UX design, web development, and more.
• Aimed at making sustainable practices more accessible and actionable.

Barriers to Sustainable Practices:

• Challenges include lack of awareness and understanding, technical debt, data accessibility, and lack of legislative incentives.
• Emphasis on the need for sustainable data strategies and supporting right-to-repair policies.

Regenerative Design and Inclusive Economic Practices:

• Focus on systemic thinking and sustainability in all decisions.
• Importance of powering digital products with renewable energy and responsible data strategies.
• Inclusion entails personal wellbeing, equitable hiring, and sharing economic benefits.

Measuring and Communicating Sustainability Initiatives:

• The B Impact Assessment as a valuable tool for measuring sustainability.
• Importance of collective action and making sustainability a journey rather than a switch to flip.

Notable Quotes:

• "Digital sustainability...is growing rapidly. As technology advances, the intersection between digital innovation and sustainability becomes more crucial."
• "My hope is that 10 years from now, [sustainability] is just a default way that people design and develop digital products."
• "The internet is a big machine...the true environmental impact of the internet [is significant]."
• "We need a set of guidelines to govern sustainable digital practices...and [the Web Sustainability Guidelines] aim to provide that."
• "Lack of awareness, technical debt, and data gaps are significant barriers in sustainable digital product development."
• "Sustainability is not a switch you flip. It's a journey. It's about continuous improvement and collective action towards a more sustainable future."

About Tent Talks

Chicago Camps hosts irregularly scheduled Tent Talks with people from all across the User Experience Design community, and beyond. Who really likes limits, anyway--If it's a cool idea, we'd love to hear about it and share it!

What is a Tent Talk? That's a great question, we'd love to tell you.

Tent Talks are short-form in nature, generally lasting from 10-20 minutes (ish) in a recorded format--we like to think of them as "S'mores-sized content" because that's pretty on-brand. Tent Talks can be a presentation on a topic, a live Q&A session about the work we do, or the work around the work we do, or really just about anything--we don't want to limit ourselves, or you.

You should send along an idea or topic of your own so we can learn from you, as well! You don't have to be a published author or a professional speaker on a circuit to be good at your job, so please, put yourself forward, and let's have some fun, talk, and share your experience with others!

The session with Steve Portigal, discussing the second edition of his book "Interviewing Users," delved into how the field of user research has evolved over the past decade. Steve highlighted significant shifts, including changes in societal norms, the rise of remote work due to the pandemic, and advancements in technology, particularly in user interview techniques. He also touched on ethical considerations in user research and the role of AI in shaping future dynamics. Throughout the session, Steve shared insights from his extensive experience, emphasizing the importance of context, adaptability, and the ever-changing nature of user research.

Evolution in User Research:

• User research practices have shifted significantly, particularly in compensating participants. The trend moved from cash payments to more convenient, digital forms.
• The rise of remote work, accelerated by the pandemic, has transformed user research methodologies, with a notable increase in remote interviews.
• There's a greater focus on data privacy and regulatory compliance in research, reflecting societal and legal shifts.
• Adapting interview techniques for remote settings has become crucial, with adjustments needed for communication styles and technological limitations.

Impact of Remote User Interviews:

• Remote interviews lack the personal connection and context-rich environment of in-person interactions, affecting the depth of insights.
• Collaboration within research teams and post-interview synthesis have become more challenging in remote settings.
• New norms of communication, like managing turn-taking and interpreting non-verbal cues, have emerged, necessitating adaptation by researchers.

Ethical Implications in Research:

• The ethical landscape in user research is complex, with a growing emphasis on informed consent and transparent data practices.
• Resources like Alba Villamil's "Ethical Researcher's Checklist" provide guidance on navigating these ethical considerations effectively.
• The approach to consent has evolved, with more nuanced methods being developed to respect participants' autonomy and privacy.

AI in User Research:

• The role of AI in user research is evolving, with its potential impact still largely uncertain.
• AI's current strength lies in data summarization rather than synthesis, which remains a predominantly human-driven process.
• As AI technology advances, its application in user research could extend to supporting creative thinking and problem-solving.

Most Profound Learning Experience:

• Steve recounted an experience where he confronted and overcame his own age bias during an interview, highlighting the human nature of biases in research.
• This experience underlined the importance of being aware of and challenging personal biases to gain true insights in user research.

Notable Quotes:

• "We operate on biases, but research allows us to overcome and revisit our assumptions."
• "Remote research has changed our norms of communication and collaboration."
• "Ethical considerations are vital in user research, especially in the age of data privacy."
• "I had a conversation with someone that I respect the other day, and they said to me, a large language model, they can summarize, but it can't synthesize because it can only be based on what is, so summarization is like a great use of that, but synthesis isn't."
• "AI's potential in user research lies more in aiding creativity than replacing human analysis."

About Tent Talks

Chicago Camps hosts irregularly scheduled Tent Talks with people from all across the User Experience Design community, and beyond. Who really likes limits, anyway--If it's a cool idea, we'd love to hear about it and share it!

What is a Tent Talk? That's a great question, we'd love to tell you.

Tent Talks are short-form in nature, generally lasting from 10-20 minutes (ish) in a recorded format--we like to think of them as "S'mores-sized content" because that's pretty on-brand. Tent Talks can be a presentation on a topic, a live Q&A session about the work we do, or the work around the work we do, or really just about anything--we don't want to limit ourselves, or you.

You should send along an idea or topic of your own so we can learn from you, as well! You don't have to be a published author or a professional speaker on a circuit to be good at your job, so please, put yourself forward, and let's have some fun, talk, and share your experience with others!