I care deeply about creating incredible user experiences for audiences when they visit our digital products. Without a strong user experience, we are just throwing content at a wall to see what sticks. With an incredible user experience we are able to craft our content in ways that actually connect with our audiences. Not only does this help your business objectives but it helps turn audiences into believers of your brand. However, this practice of research and crafting experiences that achieve connections with brands and audiences are often overlooked or mingled in with other job descriptions. There is a need though for people who have the right mix of hard, technical skills and soft, interpersonal skills.

This is about to change. A few days ago, I received an email from Jared Spool and Dr. Leslie Jensen-Inman about a new Kickstarter project they were working on. At first, I just kind of half scanned the email without any intention of clicking on it. Then I got reading about what it was for. These two brilliant individuals want to create a program that will teach proper techniques and understanding of UX. As I scrolled back up to the top of the email to actually read the whole thing. I felt my body tingle with excitement. I thought “there is no way I can’t help fund this project”.

By the time, I clicked on the link they were already a quarter of the way to their goal amount. After skimming the reward amounts, I picked the highest amount I could afford and went about offering my support. A day later, I got a second email saying they had reached their goal within 3 hours of pressing the launch button. I’m so impressed with the industry right now. I think we all knew this was something we’ve needed for years but just never had the leadership or vision to put it together properly.

I want to thank Jared Spool and Dr. Leslie Jensen-Inman for having the desire to help future generations of UXers.

For others, please visit the Kickstarter campaign and offer up your support in any way you can.

I want to be clear that in no way am I affiliated with this organization. I merely believe in the cause and support the team behind the project.