Our colleagues are empowered to make an impact both in their work and in their communities. Art Zippel, a Senior User Experience Researcher with our Perficient Digital team, is a great example of this. Based in our Irvine office, Zippel DJs social events and serves on the team’s Culture Committee.
“I’ve always enjoyed blending the work I do with the rest of my life,” Zippel says. “Creating a superior design is like putting together a good set of music. If you’re successful at either, your customers will be very happy and want more.”
Outside of the office, Zippel is active in the community. He’s served as a volunteer DJ for Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure since 2003. Inspired by his own mother’s battle with cancer, he hopes his contributions help get the world one step closer to a cure.
This year’s edition, held on September 24, raised $1.1 million (Perficient raised nearly $1,000), and attracted 15,000 participants from all backgrounds. Especially notable this year were the three bubble machines that Zippel also brought which intrigued many racers.
“As a UX researcher, I pay attention to behavior,” Zippel says. “I quickly told distracted racers that the bubbles would still be there when the course was completed and had over 100 people thank me for the experience over the course of the day. Bubbles clearly bring out the child within all of us, and I believe also serve as a metaphor of the belief that we’ll find a breast cancer cure someday.”
Zippel vows to double the number of bubble machines next year. In the meantime, he plans to continue encouraging those around him, including his Perficient colleagues, in living a life of health and wellness – and of course, responsible use of bubbles.
Watch a video of the experience he created below: