BBC UX & D Conference

I was invited to show my work at a BBC conference in Preston earlier in the year. Even though I am not on a user experience course I thought it could be a good opportunity to show my work off, get some feedback and see how my work could hold up in the industry. It was a great day of meeting people and speaking with them about the industry and what I can look forward to.

I had an early start and with a power cut in our building getting ready and putting contact lenses in was a struggle to say the least. But on the bright side surely things couldn't carry on that way... After nearly missing my train I sat there looking at the map of Preston University preparing myself for the day.

Once I arrived at the right building I realised that I was the only one there and after all my rushing, everyone was still getting ready. This then meant I could set up and get cracking with things. I was greeted by Kimo who showed me to my space and left me to set up. I just took my laptop and showreel as I didn't know we could take more if we wanted. It seemed quite a small setup but I still got quite a bit of attention.

Shortly after the other students started to arrive with their user interface products which came in the form of projectors, huge plazma screens and musical mushrooms. My stand was next to a guy called Dave from Liverpool John Moores Uni and he was great to talk to and he was my first connection I made. In fact we have kept in touch since and hopefully might be able to do a project together at some point. We were all stood outside the canteen so everyone had to walk past us for their free lunch. Perfect time to grab some of their time.

I spoke to people in all areas of the industry and even make some connections while charging up some Iphones. I came away with quite a few business cards as well as passing some around. We also had the chance to go to a workshop that the conference had on but myself Daniel and a couple of the others stuck around to catch more people between sessions and more people at the lunch break. It worked as there was a more or less constant trickle of people through the day coming round and with it being quieter you could speak with them more.

All in all it was a great day and I had the opportunity to sit in on the awards ceremony and interview with Victoria Wood. It was a really enjoyable day where I made some great connections, a few mates as well as gaining some great feedback and experience. Hopefully I will get the opportunity to do something like this again at some point as I feel it helps my confidence is grow and grow.