History

The beginning

Managing Directors Gavin Lew and Robert Schumacher met while working at the Ameritech Human Factors group in the 1990s. User Centric's slogan "If technology doesn't work for people, it doesn't work"® is a personal tribute to Ameritech and was the slogan of the original Ameritech "Test Town."

The managing directors started User Centric with a belief in the fundamental benefit of usability. Usability is our business, but it is also our passion. Since its beginning, User Centric has grown in a number of ways including team members, technology and facilities, and global reach.

Growth of the company

1999

• User Centric debuts as a privately-held consulting firm focused on usability.  Quickly gains respect of large firms including Orbitz, Motorola and Principal Financial Group to name some early clients.

2001

• Applicability of service offering expands to consumer products, software applications, websites and small screen interface design and testing.  Frequent presentations at national and international conferences catapults User Centric's reputation as a thought-leader in the field of usability.

2003

• Eye-tracking study capabilities expanded through the acquisition of eye tracking equipment with which the company conducts industry-recognized research of user visual behavior.

2004

• User Centric relocated its office headquarters from Rolling Meadows to Oakbrook Terrace, IL.
• All usability labs were converted from analog to state-of-the-art digital labs. 

2005

• The doors of User Centric's first dedicated usability laboratory were opened on the "Magnificent Mile" in downtown Chicago.
• User Centric is a founding member of the UXalliance (User Experience Alliance), an international network of user experience firms in Europe, China, and the US. 

2006

• User Experience, a joint venture between User Centric and SirValuse in Germany, opened its office in Beijing.
• A new and expanded suite of usability labs including 6 test labs and 3 observation rooms was completed in the downtown Chicago facility.
• Usability labs and office spaces were upgraded and expanded at User Centric headquarters in Oakbrook Terrace, IL.

2011

• User Centric has grown from its start with three consultants to a team of over 49 experienced professionals including over 40 user experience experts.
• August: User Centric expands again! New state-of-the-art Usability Studio opens it's doors.
• September: User Centric hosts the UXalliance bi-annual conference,UX Masterclass at the Field Museum in Chicago (see video)
• October: User Centric expands again! New 9,000 sq. ft. corporate headquarters and Suburban Usability Studio opens.