European designers to meet in World Design Capital to promote usability & design

(Bloomingdale, IL: July 6, 2007) – The first European regional
conference of the Usability Professionals' Association (UPA) will take
place in Torino, Italy, named the 2008 World Design Capital. Hundreds
of designers and usability specialists are expected to attend.

"The UPA Europe 2008 conference provides a great opportunity to
reinforce the importance of usability and user-centered design.  These
are essential design concepts that European UPA chapters promote in
industry, education and government." said Michele Visciola, UPA
European regional conference co-chair and President of the UPA Italy
Chapter.

Visciola will co-chair the conference along with Silvia Zimmermann,
the International UPA Director of Organizational Outreach and UPA
Switzerland board member.

The conference will be held in Torino, Italy, in 2008, when the city
will host a large variety of activities as the first-ever World Design
Capital – a title it was awarded by the International Council of
Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID).

The UPA Europe 2008 conference will focus on usability and design and
is expected to take place in October or December 2008.  Designers,
researchers and usability specialists from around the world will be
invited to share and learn about innovative ways to design better
products and experiences.

"This conference will demonstrate the design expertise and leadership
within the various UPA chapters and usability practitioners throughout
Europe," said Zimmermann.

UPA chapter leaders will soon be invited to nominate UPA Europe 2008
conference committee members to help organize the conference.


The Usability Professionals' Association (UPA) is an international,
non-profit, professional association with more than 2,200 members
around the world. Since 1991, the UPA has served user experience
professionals through local chapters, international and local events,
publications, and special projects.  UPA members are specialists in
designing and evaluating products to be efficient, effective, and
enjoyable.  They lead the creation of international product standards
and promote the value of usability practices in industry, government,
and education.

The UPA has over 35 local chapters around the world including chapters
in Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, South America, and the Middle
East.  The UPA also founded World Usability Day in 2005, which is
observed each year.  In 2006, thousands of people celebrated World
Usability Day by focusing on usability and design at hundreds of local
events in 40 different countries.

 

For more information, contact:

The Usability Professionals' Association
email: [email protected]
web: www.usabilityprofessionals.org

 

UPA Europe 2008:  www.usabilityprofessionals.org/conference/europe2008

Torino World Design Capital: www.torinoworlddesigncapital.it/portale/en/