World Usability Day (WUD), or Make Things Easier Day is annually observed across the globe on the 2nd Thursday of November to promote the principles of usability, accessibility, and user experience in design.
WUD 2023 falls on 9 November 2023.
- WUD 2022 was observed on 10 November 2022 and WUD 2024 will be observed on 14 November 2024.
The 2023 theme of WUD is, “Collaboration and Cooperation“.
- The theme focused on fostering global and local collaborations to devise impactful solutions, aligning with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Note: The theme encompasses the essence of effective teamwork and smooth interaction in the realm of User Experience (UX).
Background:
i.World Usability Day was established in 2004 by the Usability Professionals Association, now known as the User Experience Professionals Association (UXPA).
- The day was founded to raise awareness about the importance of creating products and services that are easy to use, efficient, safe, and enjoyable for users.
ii.The first WUD was observed on 10 November 2005.
World Usability Initiative (WUI):
i.WUI, a UN initiative, is an extension of WUD that is designed to be self-sustaining.
ii.WUI aims to make great design inclusive and usable for everyone, aligning with the international agenda for sustainability.
iii.Funding for infrastructure and related projects would come from local organisers getting local funding, a model that has been working for WUD since 2005.
Note: WUD established by WUI, gains international recognition as a day listed on the UN’s calendar.
Design Challenge (DC):
i.DC supports the World Usability Initiative (WUI) goal of improving understanding of how a focus on users and usage leads to improved designs.
- WUI aims to inform policy at the highest international levels.
Note: The WUI 2023 DC underscores the critical link between user research and detailed design decisions.
Prizes and Recognition:
i.The WUI DC is in collaboration with the HCI International (HCII) conference, sponsors 3 awards:
- Gold USD 1250;
- Silver USD 1000; and
- Bronze USD 750.
ii.The WUI DC Awards winners will be invited with complimentary registration, to present their innovative, impactful design work in a special session during the 2024 HCII Conference from 29 June to 4 July 2024 in Washington, the United States of America (USA).
Winners:
Gold: Live.Lingo, Athena Vo (Boston College, USA)
Silver: MCCD Form, Nomeshwari Reddy Thummala (National Institute of Design, Bengaluru (Karnataka), India)
There is no Bronze Award.
Honourable Mention: Optimens, Federica Masci (Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Belgium).
About User Experience Professionals Association (UXPA):
Founded in– 1991
President & Director of Marketing & Communications– Sara Mastro
