UI Breakfast: UI/UX Design and Product Strategy Episode 288: User-centered Decision-making with Jason Giles
Nov 8, 2024
Jason Giles, VP of Product Design at UserTesting and a specialist in user-centered decision-making, shares insights on informed product decisions. He discusses the evolution of design culture and management strategies at major tech companies. Giles emphasizes the importance of various user research methods, aligning stakeholders, and the role of user intuition in product development. He also explores balancing aesthetics and functionality to enhance branding and user experience, pointing out that understanding diverse customer perspectives is key to success.
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Early Career and Microsoft
- Jason Giles started as a musician but transitioned to Microsoft in the mid-90s due to the rise of the internet.
- He worked there for over 15 years, specializing in design and team leadership, even working on Xbox.
UserTesting Growth
- UserTesting, despite being considered small by Giles, grew significantly during his tenure.
- He joined when they had 300 people, and it grew to 800 in five years.
Lack of User Research
- Many design projects lack research support, and product managers often guess customer needs.
- Traditional research methods were too slow, failing to match the pace of business decisions.