The IxD23 Online Experience
“Is it just going to be one webinar after another?” you ask, rightfully so….
After two years of online-only conferences due to COVID, Interaction Week is back as a hybrid conference. We’ve combined the best of both worlds so that both in-person attendees at Zürich and online attendees will be able to enjoy Interaction 23 — all at the same time.
This year, we’re rethinking how online attendees can participate in new social experiences while still providing live access to keynotes and breakout talks. For those who can’t travel to Zürich, regardless of time zone, the digital experience will provide new ways to connect with other online attendees, in addition to real-time access and replays of talks. Whether you’re a seasoned conference-goer or a newcomer, there’s going to be something for everyone at IxD23.
The Hopin platform
You’ve bought your tickets on ti.to and have assigned them to their rightful attendees — well done! If you haven’t, you’ll be able to do so via the email you received upon your acquisition of the ticket. Click on “Complete ticket” to assign your Interaction 23 ticket to its rightful attendee. Some people buy tickets in bulk and forget to assign every ticket in their bundle to the individual attendee (name & email address!) associated with them. This is no bueno. Assign your tickets!
Back to Hopin. Once you’ve assigned tickets on ti.to, we’ll be able to import you (via your email) into our Hopin platform, which will generate a follow-up email asking you to register on the Hopin platform. NB: assigning your ti.to ticket is crucial because you’ll only receive your Hopin registration link after this happens. Hopin registration is highly recommended for all attendees, but a must for those of you attending online, because the conference experience will be delivered here.
Once you’ve registered your attendance:
1. Install the Hopin app. This is where you’ll get the latest schedule updates and be able to connect with potential employers and sponsors. The app is a central feature of your online IxD23 experience, make sure you download it so you don’t miss out on anything!
2. Complete your profile in Hopin. It should reflect your professional background and interests, so that other attendees can easily connect with you. This would also be a good time to explore the platform and familiarize yourself with its features. Get comfortable!
3. Prep for the program. Over at the IxDA blog, we’ve selected some talks concerning practical approaches to ethics, some that focus on moving beyond mainstream perspectives… others that touch on the ever-evolving environments of work, which talks to attend if you’re AI-curious, and a guide on our talks on the design of wayfinding and orientation.
Our keynotes aren’t too shabby, either. From Xiaowei R. Wang’s talk on Digital Justice + DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), two keynotes on AI and its extended considerations (thank goodness — beyond ChatGPT!) Jason Edward Lewis and Kate Darling, big proposals on alternatives to the exploitation of the freelancer (Trebor Scholz) to how to achieve more impact in emerging economies vs social good from the west (Daniel Burka)… one could say our bases are more than covered.
Want more name-dropping? How about Andreas Markdalen (Global Chief Creative Officer at Frog), Nathan Shedroff, Erin Malone, Christopher Noessel (Design Principal at IBM), Russ Unger, Hertje Brodersen (Head of Product Design at Zalando), and Nicolas Nova? In the interest of time and so this article doesn’t drag on forever, you can find an exhaustive list of our >90 speakers here.
Interacting on the Hopin platform
With our Hopin platform, you’ll have the chance to ask speakers questions and join roundtable discussion groups with others on emerging topics and trends. Whether you’re an expert in your field or just looking to learn more, this is the perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and explore new ideas.
We have three theme-based discussion groups:
Discussion room one is entitled Redesigning A Better Interaction Design Practice — here you can talk about your experiences or the challenges that you see in design decision-making and design ethics with your fellow IxDA colleagues.
Discussion room two is Decentralization & The Future of Work. Bring your thoughts on how massive social shifts such as hybrid collaboration, employee empowerment and democratization of digital tools have allowed new ways for us to collaborate globally.
In discussion room three, Sustainability + Tech, you’ll be able to share your opinions and evolve your thinking and insight with others on tackling climate change as designers.
Our Digital Experience teammates Patricia Wang and Shree Priya also suggest that you browse the conference sessions after you’ve logged into the Hopin platform. This is so you can bookmark and highlight the sessions you’re interested in. You’ll then get a reminder to watch these sessions live or later on, when the recordings are available.
Don’t miss out on the recaps hosted by our online MCs each evening! They’ll be discussing the highlights of the amazing talks that happened throughout the day… your participation is highly encouraged.
Making global connections
Whether you’re looking for new job opportunities, catching up with old friends, or making new ones, there’s something for every attendee at Interaction 23. During our scheduled breaks, you’ll have the opportunity to join 1:1 conversations, group chats, and more.
Send direct messages via the Hopin platform to other attendees through the chat function, or engage in serendipitous speed networking — happening during session breaks — where you get randomly paired up with other online attendees. We also have a social discussion group where you can connect with other attendees for non-serious topics. Have a go at being the online social butterfly that you are, in any of these formats.
Apart from enjoying these social sessions, do remember to mindful breaks now and then. Reducing your screen time is vital to your mental health and your stamina… you want to be on top form when experiencing all these high-caliber talks 💪
We’ve not forgotten the fun
Each night, we’ve got a signature social event bound to get you pumped. On Wednesday, bring your crypto, blockchain, and NFT knowledge to compete in our trivia night in small teams. Questions stretch across a broad range of topics and know-how, so don’t feel like you’re not enough of an expert for this!
On Thursday, team up with other attendees and help your team’s avatar solve puzzles in a “physical” escape room, created by professional game creators, actors, and video makers. Don’t be late, as spaces are limited for this immersive, reality-b(l)ending event.
We’ve saved the best for last on Friday: bring a drink of your choice and your strongest sketch game for Drink & Draw, hosted by a former artist, specializing in contour portraits and still-lifes. You’ll warm up with some quick hand-eye coordination exercises like shading and hatching and then move on to blinded exercises, where laughs are guaranteed.
Did we mention there are going to be prizes? There’ll be a ticket to IxD24 for each night up for grabs — so this is your chance to see and do it all again next year (who knows, maybe even in person this time)!
Interaction 23 is happening both online and in Zürich, Switzerland from 25 February to 3 March.
