TECH SAVVY Charles Warren Dom Sagolla

Social and mobile media sites are hot properties lately. But how do other companies jump into the game and generate revenue through sites such as Facebook, texting hubs such as Twitter, or mobile meet-up services such as Dopplr?

On one important level, it's a design question - how to structure an experience for current and potential customers that generates sales. That's the main question at this year's Sarasota International Design Summit - an annual gathering of the world's top designers. This year, the show features speakers from Google, SugarLabs, Adobe, IDEO, Microsoft and others. Here's a sample.

Who is he?

Executive director of SugarLabs, which helped develop software for the revolutionary "One Laptop Per Child" computer, an inexpensive, wireless computer for school children. It takes a radically simple approach, with "activities" instead of different software programs and easy collaboration between children. No double-clicking icons, either.

On his mind:

"This was really something that emerged from the collective wisdom of people around the world. We designed this so children would have a role in the design of what they do with the computer - as they use it ... The problem with most educational software is it was originally office software - instead of using the richness of an experience with other kids learning something together."

For more:

sugarlabs.org

Who is he?

Founder of DollarApp, a San Francisco developer and distributor of $1 applications for the Apple iPhone, including one for the Barack Obama campaign that sets up call lists from a phone owner's contacts in swing states - built and delivered in 22 days. His favorite application lately: one that shows an animated Koi pond, with fish gently swimming around. "Instant relaxation," he says.

On his mind:

How to pick an application for the DollarApp lineup. "We try to make it very simple, find that one feature that outshines any other application at a price like a dollar that will get some attention."

Who is he?

Senior user experience designer on Google's mobile product development team, where he designs applications for the iPhone and new Google phone.

On his mind:

How Google will turn its new G1 smartphone into a mobile, social, multimedia hub - and compete with the Apple iPhone and other new smartphones. "The Google brand helps. We think users will appreciate things like openness, the amount of choices we'll have on the device ... We think there's a huge opportunity because for too long it's been too hard to develop applications for devices, and things just have not worked well."

For more:

google.com/mobile/android

Other speakers at the summit

•Susan Szenasy, editor in chief, Metropolis Magazine.

•Ryan Stewart, rich Internet application evangelist, Adobe Systems.

•Chris Bernard, user experience evangelist , Microsoft Corp.

•Jennifer

Magnolfi, architect at Herman Miller and co-author of Always Building.

•Ritch Blasi , director of Mobility Network Services, AT&T Corp.

•Duane Bray, software experience designer, IDEO

•Philip Holt, general manager, Electronic Arts, Tiburon.

•Michael Alexin, vice president, product design and development, Target Corp.

Details

When: Oct. 27-29

Where: Ritz-Carlton hotel, Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota

Cost: $795

Info: sarasota designsummit.com