UX Strategies for Future Professionals: A Look Back at Our Inspiring Panel Discussion
This winter, LaSalle College hosted its first roundtable on UX strategies. This forward-looking event brought together industry professionals and academic voices to explore the evolving challenges and opportunities in user experience (UX) design. The evening concluded with a networking session, allowing students to connect one-on-one with our experts :
- Jon Yu (expert on interactive digital environments and augmented reality)
- Justin Penney (specialist in user interface design and user experience)
- Catherine Banville (works in software development and understands UX/UI's role in the process)
- Katia Zenava (video game teacher at LaSalle College with industry experience and expertise in 3D modeling/animation)
This event is part of LaSalle College’s ongoing commitment to providing students with practical, real-world insights that complement their academic journey. By organizing events like this, the College ensures students are exposed to current industry practices, emerging technologies, and the thought leaders shaping the digital world. It’s another example of how we turn education into experience.
The Future Is (Almost) Now: Emerging Technologies in UX
The panelists first discussed the impact of emerging technologies such as augmented reality and conversational artificial intelligence. While the vision of a fully immersive metaverse is not yet a reality, technology is already significantly changing the way we interact with digital environments.
As mentioned during the panel, we are already interacting with AI on a daily basis through our phones and smart speakers. These interactions with AI would have been pure science fiction just a few years ago. This technology has disrupted many industries, and UX designers are no exception. While the promises of AI are enticing, our panelists emphasized the importance of maintaining a human-centered approach… for a human audience.
Designing for a Distracted Society
A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the reality of divided attention in modern life. Today’s users rarely focus on a single task, which challenges traditional UX models. Instead of designing for an ideal, uninterrupted path, designers must now plan for disruption: systems must save users’ progress, provide smart reminders, and avoid intrusive pressure tactics—like countdown timers designed to rush users into completing a purchase. The goal? Build products that feel helpful, not stressful—supportive of human behavior, not in conflict with it.
Accessibility, Aging, and Inclusive Design
The panel explored accessibility beyond its traditional definition. With an aging population, the question isn’t only how to accommodate disability—but how to sustain usability for users whose cognitive and physical abilities may change over time. From adaptive interfaces to personalized UX that responds to user profiles, designers are increasingly called to build systems that meet users where they are—whether they're eight or eighty-five.
Ethics and AI: Designing With Purpose
The conversation turned critically toward the role of artificial intelligence in UX. Panelists emphasized that while AI offers incredible tools for personalization and efficiency, it must be used responsibly. From the misuse of AI-generated content to the risk of over-automation in education and creativity, panelists urged designers to prioritize ethical standards. As one speaker put it: “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.” Designers must remember that technology should serve human needs—not the other way around.
We extend our deepest thanks to our panelists for sharing their time and expertise, and to the students who brought their curiosity and insight to the discussion. Events like this are integral to LaSalle College’s academic project: bridging education with real-world practice. By connecting students with professionals and preparing them to think critically about the tools and technologies shaping our world, we empower the next generation of UX leaders.
Stay tuned for our upcoming hands-on initiatives, such as the next edition of TechWeek this fall — because at LaSalle College, the world is your classroom.
