Cynthia Savard Saucier

VP of UX and Author of Tragic Design

Cynthia Savard Saucier

VP of UX and Author of Tragic Design

Cynthia Savard Saucier

Hostile Design

Designer’s work influences products in a much broader way than usually depicted in books and blogs. Our decisions impact users in significant ways that are not always obvious. For example, algorithms define what and when we see things, security considerations create trust and prevent loss, performance and accessibility defines who gets to use a product, and clear instructions and error handling can save lives.

Unfortunately, school often teaches us that we have to create “desirable” interfaces for people to feel “happy” when they use it. We like to think that technology can make the world a better place, but we (conveniently) forget how it can make it worse—poorly designed products can anger, sadden, exclude, and even kill people who use them. Primum non nocere (first do no harm) is the first concept taught in medical school, serving as a reminder of the possible harm that any intervention might do.
Cynthia Savard Saucier challenges the tech industry to come up with its own fundamental principle. This talk will explore:
- The actual impact of bad design decision
- Tools and methods to prevent harming users
- How to advocate for your user’s benefit

About

Cynthia Savard Saucier is a VP of UX at Shopify and is also the co-author of Tragic Design. She is passionate about human beings and their means of communication. She has always sought a deeper understanding of how people think, interact, and connect. Cynthia is regularly invited to speak at events around the world where she shares her point of view on all things design.