Design Groups New York
Design innovators gathering in New York

Indonesian Language Conversation (All Levels Welcome!)
Thu, Aug 27, 11:30 PM(if there is no more space available to sign up, please still come! Meetup automatically locks the attendees at 10 people). Hello and welcome! We’re hoping to grow this space into a bi-weekly Indonesian language conversation meetup open to everyone, no matter your experience level. Whether you're a native speaker, just starting out, or simply curious about the Indonesian language and culture, this is a welcoming space to learn, practice, and connect with others. All ages and levels are welcome Casual, friendly, and beginner-friendly No cost Just bring yourself- we look forward to meeting you!

Building Slack’s simplified layout mode
Tue, Sep 1, 11:30 PMThis event will be online on [YouTube](https://youtu.be/2pzA8TkTP1Q) and in-person (New York City). **The speaker and live stream starts at 7:30 pm ET**. In-person attendees may arrive as early as 7 pm ET. If arriving late, please leave a comment on this page and someone will come down ASAP. **Description** Slack is a powerful hub for work and communication, but its dense and complex interface can be a barrier for users with motor, vision, and cognitive disabilities. To help more people use Slack effectively, we introduced Simplified Layout Mode on desktop and web. This preference transforms Slack into a single-column layout that is easier to navigate and has fewer distractions. In this session, we will demo Simplified Layout Mode and discuss its evolution from an accommodation request by an ALS advocacy group to a feature that benefits multiple audiences. Along the way, we’ll share specific examples of how its design was shaped by our partnerships with disabled and neurodivergent users. Attendees will learn ... * How to collect and synthesize feedback from different groups of users with disabilities over the course of a feature’s development * How to collaborate with internal employee disability groups to get feedback and build momentum around a feature **Presenter bios** [Chris Xu](https://www.linkedin.com/in/xu-chris/) is a director of product management of Slack looking after accessibility and design systems. Outside of product management, they have had a wide-ranging career focused on how technology and communities shape each other. They live in Brooklyn, NY and hold strong opinions about fruit. [Lena Wang](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-wang1/) is a frontend software engineer at Slack working on accessibility and design systems. Outside of engineering, she's usually mid-side-quest — whether that's walking the entire length of Manhattan on a whim, running a Taco Bell 5k, or competing in a city-wide scavenger hunt. She lives in Manhattan, NY. [Kaili Liang](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaili-liang/) is a Software Engineer at Slack, working on accessibility and design systems. In her free time, she loves chasing new eats, diving into books, trying various arts and crafts, and traveling. **Accessibility** The presentation will have human captions [CC], not automatic captions. For ASL preferred speakers, learn about the [Aira ASL App](https://aira.io/aira-asl-app/), and download it before the event. For the Blind and Low Vision community, learn about the [Aira Explorer App](https://aira.io/aira-explorer-app/) and download it before the event. To access the online webinar for audio description, use the A11yNYC Access Offer to call, or simply inform your Visual Interpreter that you'd like that offer applied when you connect. For additional accessibility requirements, please email meryl@equalentry.com **two weeks** **before** the event. **Livestream** [YouTube](https://youtu.be/2pzA8TkTP1Q) Provided by Internet Society Accessibility SIG. **Location details** The event is at 72 Spring street on the 4th floor. Everyone must be accompanied to the event on the 4th floor. Because everyone needs to be escorted, please arrive early or on time. When you enter the ground floor, a representative from A11yNYC will be there to provide elevator access. **Transit** The building 72 Spring street is near several transit stops: 6 train * Spring Street (non-accessible stop): 100 feet * Canal Street (accessible stop): 0.4 miles B/D/F/M trains * Broadway-Lafayette Street (accessible stop), 0.2 miles N/Q/R/W trains * Prince Street (non-accessible stop): 0.2 miles * Canal Street (accessible stop): 0.3 miles M1 / M55 Bus lines * Broadway/Spring Street stop: 500 feet Cabs and rideshares can let passengers out right near the building entrance. **Finding the building** In Google Maps, find 72 Spring street. It shows the correct location of the entrance: on Spring Street, halfway between Crosby and Lafayette. It’s also between the Glossier store and the Krewe Eyewear store. Inside and over the reception desk in our building 72 Spring st, it says “Marc Jacobs.” **Traveling to the event?** We recommend [Hotel on Rivington](https://www.hotelonrivington.com/) or [Crosby Street Hotel](https://www.firmdalehotels.com/hotels/crosby-street-hotel). **Accreditation** All A11yNYC meetups are pre-approved for IAAP Continuing Accessibility Education Credits (CAEC). **Sponsors** Thanks to [Aira](https://aira.io/), [AKQA](https://www.akqa.com/), [Deque](https://www.deque.com/), [Evinced](https://www.evinced.com/), [Equal Entry](https://equalentry.com/), and [Fable](https://makeitfable.com/) for sponsoring. Want to be a sponsor? Contact meryl@equalentry.com

Technology for Mass Engagement
Tue, Sep 15, 10:00 PMHosted by: [The AIA NY Social Science and Architecture Committee](https://www.aiany.org/committees/social-science-architecture-committee/) In Partnership with: [PLASTARC](https://plastarc.com/) New technologies are reshaping how communities participate in decisions about the built environment, creating new opportunities to broaden who is engaged, how people contribute, and how public input informs planning and design. With the launch of Mayor Mamdani's[ Office of Mass Engagement](https://www.nyc.gov/content/organize/pages/), New York City is investing in new approaches to civic participation and exploring how technology can support more inclusive, accessible, and responsive engagement at scale. This conversation will bring together leaders in civic technology, community engagement, and the built environment to explore the tools, platforms, and methodologies transforming public participation. From digital engagement platforms and participatory technologies to new approaches for collecting, interpreting, and acting on community feedback, panelists will examine how technology can strengthen the connection between communities and the decisions that shape their environments. The discussion will consider the opportunities and challenges of technology-enabled civic participation, and what emerging models of mass engagement mean for architects, planners, policymakers, and the communities they serve. **Hear from the Innovators Ready for the OME:** * **[inCitu](https://www.incitu.us/):** Democratizing city planning by bringing urban development to life through spatial data and Augmented Reality (AR)—allowing residents to literally see the future of their neighborhoods. * **[Convoca](https://convoca.org/):** Innovating at the intersection of civic tech and community organizing to mobilize the public and break down the traditional barriers to local agency. * **[Urban Sense](https://www.urbansense.city/):** Using technology and urban data to better understand how people experience and engage with cities, creating new opportunities to inform more responsive, people-centered planning and decision-making. * **[PLASTARC](https://plastarc.com/):** Leveraging social science and data-driven spatial strategy to design environments that inherently foster human connection and participatory experiences. **Event Details:** * Registration: Opening soon! **Stay Tuned:** We are currently finalizing the details for this exciting tech refresh. Keep an eye on the AIA NY Social Science and Architecture Committee and [register at AIA NY](https://calendar.aiany.org/day/2026-9-15/). **Why You Should Attend:** As cities seek more meaningful ways to engage communities, technology is reshaping how residents participate in planning, policymaking, and the design of the built environment. This event brings together architects, urbanists, civic leaders, and technology innovators to explore the platforms, methods, and emerging practices driving this transformation. Expect an evening of dynamic presentations highlighting civic technology, data driven engagement, and innovative approaches to gathering and acting on community input. Through case studies and discussion, speakers will examine how these tools can help create more inclusive, transparent, and responsive processes for shaping New York City's future.

UX Happy Hour irl (open to all levels)
Thu, Sep 3, 10:00 PM######## You need to bring a physical Government Issued ID to be allowed to stay. It's the Law. ######## Whether you're a seasoned UX pro, just breaking into the field, or simply curious about design — this is your invite to pull up a chair and join the conversation. UX Happy Hour is a laid-back, no-agenda gathering where designers, researchers, product thinkers, and anyone design-curious can connect over drinks in a low-pressure setting. No slides. No networking theater. **Why attend:** • Meet new connection in organic way • Get feedback and fresh perspectives on your work (i.e. portfolio) or advice for your career • Stay sharp on what's happening in UX, AI, product, and tech right now • Meet potential collaborators, mentors, or future coworkers • Cheap drinks ($5 Guinness) **What to expect:** • Warm, welcoming crowd across all experience levels • Candid conversations about design, careers, tools, and everything in between • A great chill bar in the East Village to do it all in **Where to find us:** We're usually tucked in by the ATM at the back of Mona's. If you're not sure where we are, just ask the bartender — they know us! Come solo, bring a friend, or drag a coworker along. The more the merrier. Interested in sponsoring this event? Reach out to Danny (one of the organizers) for our sponsorship rate card.

Circular by Design
Tue, Sep 22, 10:00 PMHow do we meet growing demand for housing, energy, infrastructure and everyday products - while using fewer resources, reducing waste and improving quality of life? Join MIT alumni and guests for an evening during New York Climate Week exploring how circular design, technology and innovation are reshaping cities, consumer goods and the systems that connect them. Speakers will share both innovations and what is being built, financed and shipped today. The conversation will examine how technology, innovation and artificial intelligence are helping organizations design out waste, extend the life of products and materials, improve resource efficiency, strengthen supply-chain visibility, and open new opportunities for reuse, repair, recycling and regeneration. It will also examine how practical circular principles move from concept to implementation: designing more adaptable buildings and infrastructure, creating lower-impact consumer products, developing new materials, modernizing production systems, and directing capital toward solutions that scale. As New York and other cities seek to grow within planetary boundaries, these innovations will be critical to a more resilient, affordable and sustainable economy — one that protects the climate without trading away prosperity or quality of life. The evening features short presentations, audience discussion and networking over light refreshments. Register here: https://alumcommunity.mit.edu/events/283992
![[In-person] Meet for SPEED](https://secure-content.meetupstatic.com/images/classic-events/477514778/600x338.webp?w=3840)
[In-person] Meet for SPEED
Thu, Aug 27, 10:00 PMJoin up for an opportunity to work together on optimizing our sites. [Paul Calvano](https://paulcalvano.com/) and [Sergey Chernyshev](https://www.sergeychernyshev.com/) guide the discussion and help you understand the speed of your pages and how optimize them. Have a site you'd like us to analyze? Add it here - [https://nywebperf.com/meet4speed](https://nywebperf.com/meet4speed) You can benefit even if you can't edit your site right now - we will be happy to share the knowledge. We'll all learn how to see what's slow and how to make it fast! Here is what you can learn: * Identify optimization opportunities using tools Chrome DevTools, WebPageTest and Telescope. * Become a master in reading the network waterfall. * Understand the most of the performance flame chart. * Learn the latest trends in measuring site speed. To be able to attend our events, you will need to show your ID at the security desk. Please make sure to provide your full name if your name on Meetup platform doesn't match your ID.
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