Erin and Carol are joined by Emily Wurgler, Global Director of Experience Design at McDonald's, whose journey has had many moments of evolution and iteration. She started as an academic researcher in sociology, transitioned to innovation research at growth stage companies, and ultimately to her leading enterprise research and design teams.

Emily talks about the unique value researchers bring to design leadership, how she's had to adapt her approach, and explains how product experiences are iterated and improved at large companies with a strong design-research partnership. Emily also shares how she's preparing her team of designers for the future of UX work and the characteristics she looks for in a new hire.

Highlights

07:30 Essential User Understanding for Product Success
13:50 Identifying Users for McDonald's Enterprise Products
24:38 Developing Innovative Product Solutions for Shift Leadership
30:46 Balancing Innovation with Existing Workflow Challenges
34:56 Cultivating Patience and Persistence for Organizational Change
39:05 Ranking Four Attributes: A Favorite Interview Question

About Emily
Emily Wurgler is the Global Director, Experience Design at McDonald's. She has over a decade of research experience at places like PeaPod Labs, dscout, and Over the Shoulder. She has a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Indiana.

Resources

#158 - Leading Design as a Researcher with Emily Wurgler of McDonald's