Recession? Depression? Or: How I Stopped Worrying And Learned To Love The Crunch

In the week that official figures are expected to show (for the first time) that the UK economy is actually in decline, Be Kaler Blake (Aquent) and Gerred Blyth (Lighthouse Experience) will present on and facilitate a discussion with guests on this timely topic.

We aim for attendees to gain practical insights whether you are:
a)    From a user experience agency and looking to help improve your agency's bottom line
b)    In-house and seeking to ensure user experience practices hold their own in your company during the downturn
c)    Simply keen as a temporary or permanent employee to make sure your gas bills are covered in 2009!

The session will be split into three parts:

* A short presentation on how the economy and UX professionals market is looking going into 2009, with particular reference to key verticals such as Media, Travel, Finance, Gaming and Consumer Goods.  The session will reflect our recent conversations with a variety of stakeholders in these industries to outline what their expectations are looking forward - in particular for the user experience community.

* A short guest presentation from those who were at the coal face in the last two UK recessions (1991 and 2000) and what their experiences and thoughts in hindsight are. Expect some war stories and reality checks on how companies behave when times are tight.

* Chaired breakout groups (Freelancers, Agency, and In-house departments) will discuss and briefly present back their expectations and potential strategies for weathering (or profiting!) from this change in the economic landscape.  We aim to answer the key question "What practical measures can I take in the next six to twelve months?"

After the session, all attendees will be welcome to put their January detox plans on ice in the name of networking and professional development!
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Be Kaler Blake, Manager of User Experience | Digital

I have worked in digital recruitment for over 13 years. In the last 5 years we have really strengthened our capability recruiting across user centered design, usability and experience/information architecture. I sit within the digital team where we hire across all front end disciplines – design, web development, and account & project management. Our clients are the top 100 digital agencies and also people across broadcast, finance, government, publishing and telecoms - and work very much in partnership with us. I am a guest lecturer at City Literature and UCL on the HCI courses talking to new graduates on how to prepare for the working world. I am an active member of the Information Architecture Institute and the UKUPA.
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Gerred Blythe, Lighthouse Experience

Gerred has been consulting on a wide variety of user experience matters in the UK and internationally since 2000 – firstly as director of Amberlight Partners, and since 2006 as an independent consultant through Lighthouse Experience Ltd.  Having worked in all interactive domains – from consumer web to worksystem software via mobile and video games – Gerred focuses on enthusing in-house teams to truly engage with their audience and to create brilliant interactive experiences.

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There is no charge for UPA members only.

For non-members the cost is £10, and for student non-members £5 - payable at the door (hence the event appearing 'free' above!)

UK UPA Events Page