The WUD through the ages
A panel discussion kicked off the day, during which participants reflected on the first
WUD, held in 2005. Three years before the launch of the first iPhone, terms like
"usability" and "user experience" were unfamiliar to many. To raise awareness of these
concepts, the World Usability Day was created. Back then, at Stuttgart City Hall,
attendees encountered early exhibitors such as Alpine, showcasing a screen that provided
haptic feedback to users and Trumpf which was already working with touch screens.
Figure 1: Panel discussion on the evolution of the World Usability
Day. Participants reflected on the first WUD in 2005—three years before the first
iPhone.
Digital Accessibility
Marcel Bertram from A11YPLAN GmbH presented practical approaches to making digital
products accessible to all users. He began his talk, "Barrier-Free - Successfully
Achieving Digital Accessibility," with a contest. Participants were tasked with scanning
a QR code and completing an unlabeled form without any labels to win an iPhone 16.
However, the lack of labels made correct input impossible. This exercise demonstrated
how forms appear to screen reader users when no appropriate additional information is
incorporated during product development. A small glimpse into just one challenge of
achieving accessibility.
Figure 2: Accessibility in user interfaces encompasses more than
just visual design. Aspects such as text, description, semantics, status and usability
play a crucial role in ensuring accessibility.
Image source: A11YPLAN
Mr. Bertram further explained that digital accessibility is not just valuable for
minority groups but can affect everyone in certain situations. This includes temporarily
impaired individuals, people with disabilities, older adults, non-native speakers and
more. Therefore, usability, navigation, language and interaction options need to be
emphasized not only visually but also technically.
Figure 3: A small adaptation, such as an accessible street
crossing, enables various groups, including parents with strollers, wheelchair users,
and individuals with luggage carts, to safely and easily access public areas.
Image
source: A11YPLAN
The presentation was particularly informative, as the European Accessibility
Strengthening Act (BFSG) will come into effect in 2025, introducing sanctions for
companies lacking accessibility. This new law falls under the EU directive for the
European Accessibility Act (EAA) and is relevant for both large corporations and smaller
providers, as long as they offer products and services.
Sustainable UX Practices
Isabell Höffner and Noah Knauss from 21TORR explored in their presentation, "Making
Sustainable Experiences Default," how sustainable user experiences can become the
standard.
Human-Centered Medical Devices
Nicole Dewald and Niklas Terodde demonstrated, using the example of an interventional
MRI, how usability engineering can enhance development in medical technology. They
supported the process with their expertise in UX and user testing. The project focused
on optimizing the workflow of a radiologist performing direct biopsies during a live
MRI. Not only was the software used unsuitable for live transmissions, but the
radiologist's posture was also detrimental to her back. To improve this, Ms. Dewald and
Mr. Terodde analyzed the entire process and the various roles of the people
involved.
AI and Well-Being
In an engaging talk, Franziska Träuble explored how positive experiences can be designed
in AI applications. Her presentation exemplified the connection between technology and
human-centered design. A particularly memorable takeaway was that it takes five positive
experiences to balance out one negative experience.
Interactive Formats and XR
Workshops such as “NaturKONTAKTE” and sessions on XR design provided not only theoretical
insights but also practical applications.
Networking and Inspiration
The WUD Stuttgart was more than just a conference. Participants had the opportunity to
connect during poster sessions, a Barcamp round and the "Wellbeing Inspiration Lab."
The day concluded with a networking event that provided space for discussions and new
collaborations. Informative and interactive booths added further value to the event. For
instance, we had the chance to test the Limbic Chair in combination with VR
(https://luxvivendi.com/de/products/limbic-chair?srsltid=AfmBOooC8iQBbzyLEzfLY9kIlLewTZZa4Dm2_VihWHlJP9rd47leI3jG)
and engaged in lively exchanges with colleagues from 21TORR and USE-Ing. GmbH.
Figure 4: On November 14, 2024, design enthusiasts gathered for the World Usability Day at the Stuttgart Media University.
Figure 5: Specialty coffee with the WUD logo (World Usability Day)
as latte art, served in stylish paper cups – a highlight for events and gatherings.
Conclusion: Together for a Better World
The WUD Stuttgart 2024 was not only an opportunity to discuss challenges in UX and
usability but also a platform to set the course for a more sustainable and inclusive
digital future. Moreover, the event emphasized that methodologies in human-centered
design consistently prioritize people. The combination of expert knowledge, practical
insights and community engagement made the event a resounding success.
