Speaking, outreach, and industry visits
From CES to SXSW, industry events are key to keep the conversation going. Sharing my vision for how wearable technology can move toward a great and positively impactful future is part of my mission. Please send an email if you'd like to inquire about speaking opportunities.
Disney Imagineering Ideation Summit 2014, Los Angeles
I was able to join some of the brightest minds in the industry to speak at an invite-only innovation event held at Disney Imagineering studios in Los Angeles. What can I say, the event was spectacular!
Connected Bodies Symposium 2014, Los Angeles
I was invited to speak at the Connected Bodies Symposium at Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles with a panel of industry leaders including Steve Holmes (VP Smart Device Innovation, New Devices Group, Intel), Lama Nachman (User Experience Research, Intel Labs); Moderator: Syuzi Pakhchyan, Art Center's Intel Technologist-in-Residence (fashioningtech.com).
The daylong event brought together luminaries from industry, academia and beyond to explore issues surrounding the complex nature of autonomous digital transactions, the ability of wearables to adapt to different contexts, and how this new wave of interactions should behave both aesthetically and culturally.
SXSW 2014, Austin
When I spoke last year at SxSW about a framework for wearable innovation, my talk was in the “prestigious” WTF category. The growth of the wearable industry since last March has left no one in doubt that this is a real market, with a huge potential and this year’s event boasted plenty of conversations about wearables. In my session, I outlined how the role of the designer is evolving, as we are working to take wearables from dreams that push what’s possible, to reality. I gave attendees a behind-the-scenes look at how I prioritize principles and features, balance existing consumer needs with future scenarios, and reconcile design vision and technical feasibility to create a delightful experience that is not only delightful when new, but that delivers long-lasting value that truly improves our lives.
CES 2014, Las Vegas
I was invited to join a panel of wearable tech experts to discuss the future of this hot industry and introduce the highlights from the Kids@Play and Mommy Tech’s FashionWare show at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas 2014. Panelists included Marta Hall, President of Velodyne, Chris Herbert, CEO of Phone Halo, Judy Tomlinson, Founder of AvocSoft and CEO of FashionTEQ, and Jillian White, Marketing and Product Management at MC10.
Taste of the Future Show
I was invited to participate in the Taste of the Future, which is a new television and web video series created by GeekWire as part of a team that also includes KING 5, Studio 216, and Jenni Hogan Media. Here’s the sneak preview of the pilot episode featuring a roundtable discussion about the future of augmented reality and wearable technologies.
Keynote at the Wearable Tech Expo, New York
I recently joined the Wearable Technology Expo in New York to give the opening keynote. The keynote addressed “The Platform Promise of Wearable Tech”, which was held July 24-25, 2013 at the Kimmel Center at New York University in New York City. A transformational new era is upon us, as Google Glass, FitBits and a slew of wearable gadgets hit the market. In the keynote, Jennifer focused on the role of data-powered software and services and how they will take wearables away from the brick phone phase of today and into the future.
SXSW 2013, Austin
I gave a talk at SXSW in Austin where I shared how an integrated ecosystem of hardware manufacturers, software and service providers and developers, and designers can work together to deliver on the potential of wearable technology. During the talk, I highlighted specific opportunities, emerging trends and business models that will allow wearable technology to become the next area for growth in the technology industry.
NPR Radio Segment with Ross Reynolds
Ross Reynolds visited me at the Artefact studios, which is a product design firm in South Lake Union, and spoke to me just as I was returning back from SXSW in Austin where I gave a talk on wearable technology.
In this segment, I talk to Ross about whether we will be wearing more technology in the not too distant future, how wearable tech combines with fashion, and the latest from my wearable tech design studio, Electricfoxy.
Wearable Technology Conference 2013, San Francisco
I gave a talk at the Wearable Technology Conference in San Francisco around the four principles that create more compelling wearable technology products. The conference was a packed house with 21 speakers presenting their ideas and new product developments in just one day. It was a sold-out crowd with a wait-list of attendees that ranged from technologists to researchers to start-ups launching new products. All around, the talks presented opportunities in this space along with mountainous challenges.
Smart Fabrics Conference 2013, San Francisco
I gave a talk at the Smart Fabrics Conference in San Francisco that focused on building the integrated wearable technology ecosystem with software and services. During my talk I shared key principles that emerging wearable ecosystem players need to take into account as they chart their path to market together, the role of software and services in developing integrated, compelling and meaningful consumer experiences. Lastly, I shared a vision for the tremendous opportunity in front of the wearable technology industry as it becomes a reality.
NPR Radio Segment with Lauren Silverman
Lauren Silverman visited me while I was at SXSW in Austin where I gave a talk on wearable technology. In this segment, I talk to Lauren about whether we can literally weave technology into our clothing.
A Visit to Microsoft Research
I recently visited Microsoft Research (MSR) to meet some of the researchers and designers who are doing some amazing work with wearable technology. One of the designers I met with was Senior Research Designer Asta Roseway (MSR). She recently collaborated with User Experience Designer Sheridan Martin Small (Xbox) on a project called The Printing Dress, which won Best Concept and Best in Show at ISWC 2011 in San Francisco last month.
Here’s a look at their creation, how they made it, and what Asta’s thoughts are about the future of wearable technology.