MANILA, PHILIPPINES – With the COVID-19 pandemic speeding along the rapid digitalization process the world was already going through, it’s now more important than ever to give ordinary people a seamless and enjoyable user experience (UX). This is especially true in the Philippines, where months-long community quarantine guidelines mean just about everything from banking to education to socializing has shifted to online platforms.
This is a reality that non-profit organization UXPH (User Experience Philippines) understands, and is thus proud to announce that they will be hosting UXPH CONF 2020: Designers as Navigators of Change, a 2-day online conference filled with talks and workshops specifically geared towards experience designers, enthusiasts, and problem-solvers. There will be a wide range of topics covered, such as design management, research methodology, design methods, and so much more. The event is scheduled to be held from November 14-15, from 11:30am (PHT) onwards.
According to Managing Director Aldrich Tan, the event promises to help unleash the potential of Filipino UX designers, especially considering its rising demand as more aspects of life have no choice but to digitalize. “UX needs to be incorporated into a service or product to ensure brand loyalty,” he explains. “Businesses everywhere are realizing this, but the reality is there aren’t enough UX designers able to meet the high demand. In the Philippines, UX design practice is still very young, but the community is extremely eager and willing to learn and grow.”
As such, UXPH CONF 2020: Designers as Navigators of Change promises to showcase over 20 talks and workshops. The program will be helmed by 29 speakers from all around the globe, eager to share their expertise on how designers can adapt and thrive amidst the disruption brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. These speakers will recount their past experiences in user design, sharing insights that’ll help attendees design long-lasting products and services in a world that’s constantly in flux.
UXPH has garnered plenty of experience hosting similar events and initiatives ever since the organization’s founding back in 2012, with this year’s UXPH CONF being the 5th overall. Though they first started out as just community events and annual conferences with talks or workshops for the community, UXPH has largely evolved since.
Next year, UXPH will be looking to launch initiatives tailored towards solving the different needs of students, educators, and professionals. Students will be prepped for design-related careers with fellowships and workshops designed to improve their resume, portfolio, and job interview skills. Educators will be taught to understand and infuse design more into their curriculum. Finally, workshops will be offered for professionals looking to upskill.
Last year alone, the organization organized over 12 community events and 3 conferences throughout the Philippines, in partnership with local UX communities such as UXDVO and CEBUXD. It’s for these initiatives that UXPH has invited thousands of students, designers, and professionals from both the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
UXPH’s vision has not gone unnoticed by some of the country’s top businesses. In the past, conferences have been sponsored by the likes of Globe, ING Group, Accenture, the Department of Trade and Industry, Design Center of the Philippines, Home Credit, Onerent, and so much more.
This year’s UXPH CONF promises to gather a prominent number of sponsors and media partners as well. Boutique PR & content marketing studio Ambidextr, for example, is proud to be a part of the event.
“We believe that efficient and enjoyable UX in business- -whether it’s for a Facebook page, a website, or an app- -is key to making life easier for everyone,” says Monette Quiogue, managing partner at Ambidextr. “No matter what industry you operate in, I believe anyone can benefit from attending UXPH CONF 2020.”
Additionally, although the event itself is already slated to take place in November, UXPH CONF 2020 is still open for additional partnerships and sponsors. Becoming a partner/sponsor allows brands to expand their presence in the creative and tech community, making it easier later on to recruit top designers and developers for their tech team. Sponsors will even be able to conduct live video chats with interested applicants.
On the whole, UXPH CONF 2020 promises to be an engaging and insightful experience for all attendees. Income generated from the event is guaranteed to go towards similar future initiatives by UXPH, enabling a cycle of growth for the Filipino UX designer community.
Early bird tickets for UXPH CONF 2020 are now on sale on the event’s official website. Updates from UXPH are also available on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. The UXPH community is also active on their Facebook group here.
