World Usability Day: Elizabeth Rosenzweig, Director

Elizabeth Rosenzweig is not only the director of World Usability Day; she’s also the founder.

“That’s right - I’m chief cook and bottle washer,” she laughed.

Rosenzweig, who was originally a photo and graphic designer, worked in the Media Lab at MIT. She then spent 20 years working for major corporations working with human factors, usability, and technology transfer issues. At Kodak, she received four patents for intelligence user interface design and new technology. She currently runs a user centered design and innovation consulting business called Bubble Mountain. “I’m looking forward to using Morae in future consulting work,” she added.

In the second year of celebrating the day of recognition, Rosenzweig notes that the volunteer committee is still in the very early stages of development.

“We have web, marketing, sponsorship, regional liaisons, and webcast subcommittees, and I’m technically the head of the core committee,” she explained. Approximately 15 people are responsible for the popularization of World Usability Day, which has grown into a well-known international event.

“Our Web site is run by a vendor and several volunteers, we have a sponsor for the graphic arts, someone runs the marketing and sponsorship … but basically, a lot of times people end up serving on everyone else’s committee,” she said.

Rosenzweig, who is past president of UPA and currently on the UPA Board of Directors, began World Usability Day in order to raise awareness about human-computer interaction issues.

As she finished her three-year term as UPA president, she began looking for ways to continue her service in the usability field.

“After Nigel Bevin, the co-outreach director and I came up with it, it just took on a life of its own,” she said.

There are currently over 120 events in 35 countries planned, with more being reported every day.

“People are hosting events in Iceland, in India, the Philippines, Paraguay, Bulgaria … As we get closer, people keep planning more events. It’s very exciting!” she said.

“Many times, technology isn’t developed for people. It’s driven by the markets, or technology, and it doesn’t actually assist anyone – it just gets in the way. There are a lot of areas where the implications are more serious. For instance, it’s important in healthcare, education, and government. Voting machines could be a problem – in order to function as promised, they have to be really easy to use,” she explained.

Her ultimate goal in the day’s celebration is to get the message out beyond the usability community.

“We have the chance to make an impact – to make a difference in how technology works for us,” she said. “I think it’s already happening. I like hearing what people are doing, I like the ideas people have, and we’re in good shape for this year.”

To learn more about November 14: World Usability Day, visit: http://www.worldusabilityday.org/