Leah Ferguson is WIAD23 Global Keynote Speaker
Come join us celebrating 11 years of World Information Architecture Day (WIAD). Next March, we welcome Leah Ferguson as our global keynote speaker on the event theme, Orientation & Wayfinding.
Leah Ferguson will share with WIAD23 attendees her perspective on intertwining her practice of information architecture with accessible design in the built environment. Leah has spent the past 10 years working professionally as an environmental graphic designer, working in a variety of environments, including casinos and workplaces. She has a particular love of international airports. Some highlights of her experience include the Harvey Milk Terminal at San Francisco International Airport, Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore, and the Calgary International Airport. In her free time, Leah volunteers as a moderator in a personal knowledge management software community of over 70,000 people and gives talks on practical personal knowledge management.
Designing environments: How wayfinding, visual design, and IA shape our experience
When we think of wayfinding in the built environment, our first thought is often signage. After all, a sign will tell us where we are, or direct us to where we want to go. While a sign is a physical object for orientation, it’s not the only tool in our design toolkit to help create a sense of place, provide cognitive or behavioural cues, or create a sense of navigation. When we design our experiences and environments, there is much more happening below the surface when it comes to wayfinding.
During this talk, Leah will share practical examples of environmental graphic design. She will explore why what we see on the surface is only a fraction of the information architecture and process that goes into developing positive environmental experiences. Through a blend of information and inspiration, you will leave with an understanding of both the design process and information architecture that goes into our everyday built environment.
World Information Architecture Day is the annual event that takes place in early March when local groups organize their local program for World Information Architecture Day to highlight local speakers and challenges for information architecture. It’s a low-cost event, aimed at bringing more awareness to the information architecture discipline and practice. Since 2021, World IA Association has introduced the global keynote segment to bring a common thread across the local events and offer a shared platform for conversations about information architecture.
WIAD23 will take place in 5 regions across the globe. Leah’s keynote will be broadcasted at 3 times, followed by live Q&A sessions. Each local event will have its own local program.
- Read about the WIAD23 theme, Orientation & Wayfinding
- Attend a WIAD23 event near you
- Host a WIAD23 event in your city/country
Registration is free and open to the public. Register now
Updated 29 Nov 2022: Added talk title and abstract. /GL
