Thread by @jenniferjeffrey

Had a wonderful time at @dcontentconf last week. Didn’t Tweet much b/c internet issues, so now I get to catch up. [THREAD]

Hadn’t been to Vancouver B.C. in a while, and instantly caught the PNW vibe. 🌲 & 🌊 everywhere. That blue-green color palette is sooo easy on the eyes.

One neat thing about @dcontentconf is that it feels intimate – there are no separate tracks, just one theater where everyone hears the same talk at the same time.

(I love conferences w/ sep. tracks too, but the opposite also has its advantages.)

#dcc18

So many good talks.

Gonna review a few highlights here, wish I had time to call out everyone.

@hellofisher & @shannonfisher know how to put on a good event. ✨✨✨

On Day 1, @katholmes kicked us off with a whirlwind exploration of what inclusivity really means, expanding our ideas about ability biases and how deeply they shape our world.

Highlight: “Inclusion (and love) as an engine for innovation.” 😍

Later on, @PaulMcaleer enthralled us with the strange and ridiculous information architecture of pants (you have NO idea!).

Then he answered that pesky question once and for all (SEE ATTACHED).

Yes. The answer is Yes.

It was great to hear @stephaniehobson advocate for writing for every reader, and then show how to do that, step-by-step.

So much good, practical advice.

Oh, and if you’ve ever wished for someone unafraid to challenge tech’s sacred cows? That would be @sara_ann_marie.

She brilliantly addressed some of the more outrageous & awful ways tech is failing us – and taught us how to determine if something is important.

And there were Lightning Talks!

IN WHICH @TaraCoddington told us how to ditch “Click Here.”

@STahran explained dark patterns, and how they rob people of their agency.

@angiegorden compared UX writing to wine tasting (TIP: Become an expert at being a novice).

Did I mention our amazing emcees, @StevieNguyenyvr and @Geoffrey_Daniel?

They lit up the stage with their thousand-watt smiles.

I gave a talk too.

On 5 essential elements of brand messaging, and how they can serve as a compass both internally & externally.

You can check out the slides here: dropbox.com/s/5yg11l150i9s…

I was so moved by @diesh. He talked candidly about the personal cost of living in these divisive times, and what it REALLY means to be an ally.

(It’s what you DO, not something you call yourself).

“Confessions aren’t work done.” Yep. 🔥🔥🔥

Then @farai_uxguy expanded our brains on what diversity means, and the many different dimensions to it, and how they all impact the quality and depth of the work we do.

W-O-W. Miles Davis knew.

The most stylish visual presentation surely belonged to @fluxistrad.

She talked about how ALL technology is conversational, and suggested that not all interactions with computers should be human-like. Some needs are better met with computer-like interactions. YESSS.

🏆🏆

The final talk of the conference was exactly what we needed.

@ThisTechGirl gifted us the idea that even in these trying times, we don't have to lead with fear.

We have the right to joy, beauty, unlearning, and trust. 🍂

TY Saadia.

AND I got to hang out with this babe, @nataliegfld, who brought OUTFITS, oh my.

That concludes my book report. Thanx for reading. 😉