william curtis | introduction

introduction

For those of you who don't know me well, I am an experienced usability professional in the Greater Atlanta Area in the U.S., who has specialization in areas such as accessibility, multimedia and universal design.

On the professional side of my life, I continue my latest role in IBM as a Business Development & Solutions Leader at the IBM Worldwide Human Ability & Accessibility Center, where I've worked since January 2005. I am extremely happy in this position, where I am challenged to bring innovative service and technology solutions to markets out of IBM Research. In addition to my work at IBM, I am a member of the ACM Distinguished Lecturer Program Committee, where I am helping ACM (one of the world's largest technology industry professional associations) develop a program to offer lectures and content from distinguished professionals in all fields of computing.

On the personal side, my biggest news is that I have become a parent to a lovely little girl named NADIA MARIE. My partner and I are enjoying building our home and family with this lovely little bundle of joy.

about me

about this site

In case you are not familiar with me, I consider myself to be (large) part artist, part usability architect / user interface designer, part teacher, and part researcher. In all areas of my life, I am driven by an intense curiosity, a strong creative urge, and a passion for life and living.

I am originally from the rural farmlands of upstate central New York. I am fascinated how art and technology are used to convey cultural meaning, and am particularly focused on exploring:

How people and cultures define themselves in relation to nationalistic, ethnic, cultural, and religious boundaries;
How people conceptualize and use interactive media and the World Wide Web to expand their opportunities for communication;
How the fine and performing arts, design arts, and interactive media can be used to facilitate lifelong learning at all levels and in a variety of disciplines;
A variety of human factors in interactive media, including accessibility standards, methods, tools, and initiatives; and
Emerging development methodologies, tools and techniques for interactive media.

I regularly enjoy cooking, dining out, attending arts-related events, reading, and traveling. I am an explorer at heart, and over the years have visited many places, including: much of the eastern seaboard of the USA, Northern California, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, Great Britain.

Please send me a message if you would like any further information about me or my work!

2006 marks my TENTH year on the Web! Probably it is time to redesign this outdated design (in my spare time, ha!). In recent years, I have enjoyed hearing from some of you, and appreciate the connections I have made over the years! If you have trouble viewing or finding something, please email me.

In order to view all of the material on this site, you will need to install the following multiplatform plug-ins or utilities, all of which are FREE and available for download from the vendors that make them: