Mat Duerden - Unlock the Experience Ladder. How to Elevate Experiences from Memorable to Transformative

Dive into a captivating discussion on experience design with Mat Duerden, Department Chair of Experience Design and Management in the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University and Co-Author of the book Experience Design. Reveals how intentional design can transform everyday moments into powerful experiences. Mat shares his journey from adventurous childhood whitewater rafting to pioneering leadership in experience design education, illustrating the “experience ladder” from ordinary to transformative.

They also explore how attention has become scarce in today’s fast-paced world, emphasising co-creation, reflection, and lessons learned from recent global shifts. Discover how thoughtful design can spark meaningful change in personal and professional realms.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Experience Design

02:47 Personal Journey and Early Influences

05:59 Defining Experience Design

08:57 Academic Environment and Experience Design Education

12:00 Global Trends in Experience Design

14:59 Intentionality in Experience Design

18:13 The Experience Ladder: From Ordinary to Transformative

21:12 Reflection and Meaning in Experiences

24:03 The Importance of Transformative Experiences

26:47 Navigating Transformation in a Rapidly Changing World

32:47 The Scarcity of Attention

35:44 Guided Transformations in Experience Design

37:40 The Role of Experience Designers

41:51 The Evolution of Work Experiences

50:28 Future of Experience Design

01:01:25 Connecting Through Experiences

Mats bio & links

Mat is the Department Chair of Experience Design and Management at the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University. His experience design research focuses on memorable, meaningful, and transformative experiences. He also collaborates on research exploring the neurological connection between storytelling and social connection. 

Mat’s publications have appeared in various journals, including the Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Environmental Psychology, Journal of Adolescent Research, and Journal of Leisure Research. Mat co-authored Designing Experiences with Robert Rossman, which was published in 2019 by Columbia Business School Press. In 2021, Axiom Business Awards selected the book as a silver medalist winner in the Business Intelligence/Innovation category. Mat works with organisations across various sectors, including healthcare, education, not-for-profit, tourism, manufacturing, and consumer product goods, to provide training and consulting around experience design.

Mat Duerden (LinkedIn)

Professor

Alumni Distinguished Fellow

Department of Experience Design and Management

Marriott School of Business

Brigham Young University

Co-author of Designing Experiences