Experience Designed

Mike Green, a user research leader focused on public services and host of the Understanding Users podcast, shares his insights on the intersection of AI and UX research. He discusses the ethical implications of AI integration in design, stressing the need for human oversight. Mike also emphasizes understanding user psychology and adapting to diverse needs in government research. Additionally, he offers advice on navigating the UX job market, highlighting the importance of networking and continuous learning for professionals in the ever-evolving field.

Ha Phan, a product and design leader with a history at Zillow, GoPro, and Pluralsight, shares her insights on user-centric product innovation in emerging tech. She discusses her journey in navigating the challenges of evolving UX practices, especially with AI integration. Ha reveals her experiences at GoPro, including her success in software innovation and patent achievements. The conversation highlights the importance of experimentation, storytelling, and user behavior in designing effective products, all while bridging the gap between design and technology.

Dr. Nick Fine⁠ is user research leader, known for advocating standards within the broader UX design community. He is also a recurring guest on our podcast. In this follow-up session, we continue exploring the theme of 'Better at UX Research than AI' and delve into the future of user research practices. We discuss how the UX industry and its user-centric approach will evolve over the next five years, emphasizing the significance of evaluative research in today's landscape, among other topics.

Kevin Richard⁠⁠ is a strategist, critical thinking and design leader. Also, a regular guest on the podcast with whom we dive into industry intricacies and specific hot topics. In this episode, we will revisit sustainable futures, in particular, the Solarpunk as an upcoming design trend. We will also chat about the vanishing UX industry and often problematic positioning of design in businesses.

Cal Thompson, VP of User Experience at Headspace, discusses strategic product design, UX at Headspace, mindful experiences, and career tips. Topics include transition from art to design, empowering design leaders, remote work challenges, fostering collaborative culture, rise of UX design 'unicorns', and navigating consultancy.

Debbie Levitt, MBA, a CX leader focused on strategy, research and Human-Centered Design/User-Centered Design. She’s the author of a recently published Customer Know You Suck book which covers actionable CX strategies to understand, attract, and retain customers. In this session, we discuss her book, the tech industry dysfunctions, how UX professionals are being gaslighted and ideas to correct the course for designers and tech teams alike.

Dan Saffer, a UX design leader and assistant professor at CMU HCI Institute, discusses the integration of AI in UX design, emphasizing human-centricity, ethical dilemmas, and bridging the gap between technical challenges and user-oriented design. The conversation delves into identifying low-risk AI opportunities, collaboration with data scientists, and creating valuable AI applications with moderate performance.

Hang Xu is a UX leader turned recruiter and one of the most prominent design industry figures on Linkedin. In this session, we discuss the current state of the UX industry and what's to come. We also will delve into job-seeking aspects and what designers need to showcase in their portfolio to land the job in probably the most difficult time in history. Hang will also share his philosophy on what makes and breaks UX portfolios and much more.

In this episode, I'm talking to strategist and designer ⁠Kevin Richard⁠. We delve into a few sustainable futures-focused topics and how designers can design them. In particular, Kevin shares his thoughts and ideas about Solarpunk as a concept and assemblage of narratives that could inspire more sustainable action.

Jennifer Blatz is a UX leader, strategist, and co-founder of the UX Research and Strategy group. We delve into the world of user personas in UX, exploring their strengths, limitations, and innovative alternatives. Jennifer introduces her latest framework, the Scenario Alignment Canvas, aimed at aiding product teams in fostering a deeper understanding of their users.