User Experience Professionals Association (UXPA) International supports people who research, design, and evaluate the user experience (UX) of products and services.
Founded in 1991, the original 50-member group has grown to serve a community that includes nearly 2,400 members worldwide by promoting UX concepts and techniques through our annual international conference, publishing new UX findings through both the Journal of User Experience (JUS) and User Experience Magazine, and our 59 local chapters in 30 countries around the world.
In 2004, UXPA International established World Usability Day, which in 2011 was celebrated in 44 countries. In 2012, we announced a name change from the Usability Professionals Association (UPA) to User Experience Professionals Association (UXPA) International.
Our goals include:
- Serve as the authoritative source on the practice of usability, user-centered design (UCD), and UX.
- Facilitate professional development and education within the UX field.
- Promote the business value of UX, research, design and evaluation to business and other entities.
- Foster a community of user experience professionals through knowledge sharing and networking.
- Provide effective industry governance.
- Enhance and provide the value of membership in UXPA International.
What is a UX Professional?
UX professionals may do a broad range of work from interviews and observations to creating wireframes for a product or service. Some have a design background, and some have a library science degree. Many have attended courses towards certification or hold an advanced degree such as one in Human-Computer Interaction or Information Design.
Other UX professionals focus on one particular area, doing either research, design, or evaluation. Some do a combination of activities, but specialize in a specific industry such as health care or education, or perhaps work only with handheld devices. All of them focus on the user, while taking into account the needs of the business and the constraints they must work in.
Membership in UXPA International
UXPA International offers membership to anyone who researches, designs and evaluates the user experience.
Who are UXPA International members?
UXPA International is a growing international organization with 59 chapters around the world, and members in more than 60 countries. UXPA International members come from many different backgrounds, sharing the common interest of creating products that meet the needs of the people who work or play with them. Some members work full-time as user experience professionals while others incorporate usability into their work as interface/interaction designers, information architects, developers, and in many other fields.