Designing for Humans and Space Aliens: Discover User Experience (9th - 12th Grade)

This event is presented by Milwaukee School of Engineering's User Experience program and Northwestern Mutual.

Are you passionate about technical and digital innovations? Is your superpower being creative and solving messy problems? Do you like drawing and doodling? Do you want to learn to know how to influence alien (or human) behavior?

Learn about the quickly growing field of User Experience (UX) by focusing on creating products in alien-centered and human-centered ways. Over the course of the day, you will work on a design challenge to help aliens learn about humans. You will learn about design techniques and tricks used by technology companies, networking and streaming services like Google, Netflix, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok to attract and engage users. You will need to stay on your toes to keep up with the fast-paced, interactive activities that will leave you with multiple artifacts to show in your portfolio for applying to the top intergalactic consulting agencies and top universities. Last but not least, you will play Xbox and experience virtual reality with Oculus during breaks and lunch.

Registration includes lunch and all materials for the day. This event is open to any high school student but is targeted towards sophomore and junior students along with seniors who may be considering the UX program at MSOE.

Your Space Alien (and Human) Experts (aka Instructors)

Dr. Katie Panciera is an assistant professor of user experience at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Prior to starting at MSOE, Dr. Panciera was a Senior UX Researcher at Google and a UX Researcher at Facebook. Dr. Panciera teaches courses in foundations of UX, design thinking, UX research, data visualization, and creative thinking.

Professor Amii LaPointe is an assistant professor of user experience at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Prior to starting at MSOE, Prof. LaPointe was the Director of UX at Northwestern Mutual. In addition, she has 20+ years as a UX professional in a variety of roles including designer, researcher, and front-end developer. Prof. LaPointe teaches courses in visual design, design thinking, design systems, digital portfolio development, agile product management, UX research, UX strategy, and creative thinking.