The Human Element of User Experience | Jeremy Miller | Drop 3 Ep.01

In this episode of the Growth Design Podcast, we had the privilege of chatting with Jeremy Miller, a former freelance designer turned full-time UX manager, to explore the human side of UX design. Jeremy shares his journey and emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with stakeholders and teammates to create meaningful design outcomes. 

Jeremy illustrates how interpersonal dynamics can shape user experience results and offers practical advice on navigating challenges like low design maturity in organizations. The conversation highlights the value of collaboration, communication, and leveraging soft skills to align design goals with business priorities and advance in a design career.

Jeremy also discusses strategies for managing VUCA  (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) in the workplace, effective networking in the digital age, and coping with burnout in a rapidly evolving industry influenced by AI.

Whether you're a seasoned designer or just starting out, this episode offers valuable takeaways to help you thrive in the dynamic design world.

Key Topics Discussed

- Navigating Growth Design and Marketing

- The Human Element in UX Design

- Beyond UX Design: Building Relationships

- Navigating the Challenges of Freelancing

- Cultivating Alliances in Design Teams

- Understanding Design Maturity in Organizations

- The Importance of Collaboration in UX

Key Takeaways

- Importance of relationships in UX design.

- The human element in UX is critical for successful outcomes.

- Design is more than just creating deliverables; it's about understanding users and their needs.

- Cultivating alliances within teams is essential for effective collaboration.

- Designers should treat their colleagues as humans to foster better relationships.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Jeremy Miller

07:20 Transitioning Between Full-Time and Freelancing

12:05 The Human Element in UX Design

16:10 Beyond UX Design: The Importance of Relationships

21:17 The Allegory of Fred and Amy

25:45 Cultivating Alliances in Design

32:25 Navigating Low Design Maturity Companies

32:55 Building Strong Stakeholder Relationships

38:08 Navigating Business Priorities in Design

46:45 Leveraging Relationships for Career Advancement

54:50 Networking in the Digital Age

01:00:01 Understanding Business for Designers

01:05:08 Coping with Burnout in a Rapidly Evolving Industry

01:10:50 Navigating Burnout in the Design Industry

01:11:04 Book Promotion and Accessibility

01:12:40 Collaboration and Creative Ideas

01:13:23 The Human Element in UX Design

01:15:41 Building Genuine Relationships

01:16:30 The Importance of Effective Communication

01:16:56 Lightning Rounds

Guest:Jermey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmillspaysbills/Beyond UX Book Podcast: https://www.beyonduxdesign.com/Host:

Emmanuel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omoleemmanuel/IniOluwa - https://www.linkedin.com/in/inioluwa-abiodun/Production by ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/damilola-ilesanmi-720baa1b0/⁠⁠For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email hello@growthdesigncast.com