Elizabeth Rosenzweig, founder of World Usability Day, has emphasized the importance of integrating Indigenous Knowledge Systems into user-centered design.
Rosenzweig drew from her experience at Apple and Kodak in her keynote address during the 2024 World Usability Day (WUD) in Lagos, inspiring participants to tap into their potential, the first in Africa.
The WUD was established to focus people on the problems and subsequent solutions related to usability, showcasing Africa’s growing leadership in the global design community.
While noting the essence of empowering African innovators to solve pressing challenges through empathetic and culturally relevant design, she said, “keep your fire bright; don’t let anyone define you because you have untapped wells springing inside of you.”
BusinessDay earlier reported that the United States Agency for International Development announced a $3.5 million investment in Nigeria’s creative industry.
Designed to elevate the country’s creative sector to global standards, the program will focus on building a skilled workforce and producing high-quality content that showcases Nigerian talent on the international stage.
The initiative represents a $3.5 million investment in Nigeria’s creative economy.
Pärt Ojamaa, an Estonia service designer, stressed the nuances of problem-solving through design, noting that designers are empathetic by nature “but true impact requires clearly communicating users’ pain points to other stakeholders within the project.”
He outlined actionable steps, including defining end users, employing divergent thinking to gather critical insights, and developing practical solutions that address real-world needs.
A panel session moderated by Folajomi Bello brought together industry leaders including Alison Eyo, Collins Donye, Daniel Udumukwu and Blessing Nwokolo. The panelists underscored the centrality of usability in product development, arguing that a focus on real user needs can significantly enhance the success of products.
Joseph Adesina explored the challenges of creating seamless, human-centric digital payment systems.
Adesina detailed the delicate balance between usability and security, emphasizing the importance of intuitive interfaces in fostering trust among users.
“This is about equipping African designers to lead global conversations in usability and design. It’s about solving problems unique to our continent in ways that align with our realities and aspirations.”
WUD Africa ‘24 showcased world-class speakers, hands-on sessions, and vibrant networking opportunities, affirming Africa’s leadership in global design conversations.
The event was driven by a dedicated team led by Joseph Kalu, alongside Azeem Gbadamosi, Folajomi Bello, Tiwanijesu Sulaiman, Solomon Eyitene, Somtochukwu Mbamalu, and others, ensuring its success.
For convener Joseph Kalu, WUD Africa was more than just an event—it was a movement. “This day is about empowering African designers to lead global conversations and address challenges unique to our continent,” he said.
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