Language: English (mozilla)
Alternative digital tools are not known for their user-friendliness. Although the open source aspect is often considered more important, design does play a role in accessibility for new users. How do you lower the threshold for the general public, or for specific target groups?
In the commercial world there is the urgency to make money. This ensures that the design fits well with the end user. In the world of alternative technology, people often only think from technical possibilities, not from design. The two communities often simply do not find each other. The discussion is important: even when the designer wants something that may not be technically possible, it can give the technician a different view.
The design knowledge of alternative communities mainly lies with programmers who design a bit themselves. It's important for designers to feel more attracted to participating in the development phase.
In the call 'Developer meets designer' last year, together with Cultuur Eindhoven, `SIDN fund created a call for proposals to designers who want to use their expertise to increase the impact of promising - but mainly technically oriented - projects. The process resulted in eight successful matches. developers and designers have worked together on the project plans to increase the design, user-friendliness and/or accessibility of the projects.
During this workshop we would like facilitate a discussion between developers and designers.
As inspiration, a few projects can show how this collaboration between developers and designers took place and in which projects it resulted.
Inspiration and spread the word in the open source communities. Attract more designers into these communities.
Why did you choose that space? How does your session align with the space description?:we would like to host this session online to reach as many interested people as possible.
How will you deal with varying numbers of participants in your session? What if 30 participants attend? What if there are 3?:no problem - we have sealed with different participants before
What happens after MozFest? We're hoping that many efforts and discussions will continue after MozFest. Share any ideas you already have for how to continue the work from your session.:sidn fund will launch another call for proposals for developers meets designers
What language would you like to host your session in?: English
Mieke van Heesewijk graduated in Russian Language and Literature, but her internet roots lie with XS4ALL, the first Internet Provider in the Netherlands. XS4ALL was founded by a group of internet pioneers in 1993. It stands for the full use of the possibilities of the internet. For free and uncensored exchange of data, information and ideas for everyone. Since then it has grown to become the quality internet service provider for businesses and consumers in the Netherlands.
Subsequently Mieke started working at the Dutch Ministry of Internal Affairs as policy advisor for internet participation.
Momentarily Mieke is deputy director at SIDN Fund. SIDN Fund embodies for ‘a strong internet for all’ and provides financial support to ideas and projects to consolidate the internet’s position in contemporary society or that use the internet in innovative ways. By doing so, SIDN Fund wants to help increase the social impact of the internet in the Netherlands. SIDN Fund is an independent foundation established by SIDN, the foundation for internet domain registration in the Netherlands.
Mieke was co-founder and co-director of Network Democracy, which is a platform for democratic innovation. Network Democracy is committed to building a resilient democracy in which citizens are better involved and in which, with the help of technology, they can actively contribute.
Mieke is a member of the Dutch Internet Society chapter for over ten years, was the Chair of the board of the Dutch whistleblowing platform Publeaks, Chair of the board of City Festival WeMakeThe.City, and is a member of the supervisory board of WPG publishers, a multi-medial publishing company. Finally, she still uses her expertise as an Expert of the European Commission on Communication Networks, Contents & technical Future Networks Next-generation Internet and as a member of the selection committee for the RIPE NCC Community Projects Fund.