The Design Psychologist | Psychology for UX, Product, Service, Instructional, Interior, and Game Designers

Can you really trust what users say? This discussion reveals the pitfalls of self-reporting in UX research, where memory and self-perception can lead to inaccuracies. Historical perspectives illustrate the complexities of human introspection, demonstrating how people's verbal accounts often differ from their actual behaviors. Key experiments highlight the challenges of capturing true motivations and cognitive processes. Overall, it's a call for blending self-reported data with observational insights to better understand user experiences and inform design decisions.

Larry Marine, a veteran UX researcher and cognitive scientist, shares his expertise on disruptive research in design. He discusses how insights can fundamentally reshape products and markets. Marine emphasizes critical research steps that teams often overlook, which can radically alter design outcomes. He explores the evolution of personas versus knowledge profiles, advocating for a deeper understanding of user behavior. Practical advice and methodologies are provided to align UX strategies with user needs and cognitive science principles.

How many participants do you really need for valid research? This discussion uncovers the often misunderstood world of sample sizes in user testing. From debunking the myth of testing just five users to understanding the power of participant numbers on design outcomes, insights abound. The psychological implications of too few versus just enough participants are explored, alongside methods to determine the optimal sample size based on your research goals. Gain clarity and confidence in your approach to user testing!

In this episode of The Design Psychologist, we dive deep into the world of qualitative research and human-centered design with legendary UX thinker Indi Young. If you've ever felt like your user interviews only skim the surface—or if you've relied too heavily on personas—you might be missing the most powerful insights. Indi joins us to explore how deep, non-judgmental listening can revolutionize your understanding of users and, ultimately, your design outcomes. Together, we tackle questions like:What is deep listening, and why is it essential in design research? Why do traditional interviews often fail to uncover what truly drives user behavior? What are thinking styles, and how are they more effective than personas? How can designers move from interpreting behavior to understanding internal reasoning? By the end of this episode, you’ll see user research—and your role as a designer—through a completely new lens. You'll be equipped to listen more deeply, think more critically, and create more human-centered solutions.Never miss an episode. If you’d like a note when new episodes of The Design Psychologist drop, join the newsletter. I’ll send you fresh insights on psychology and design straight to your inbox. [Sign up for the newsletter here—it only takes a moment. → https://3leafconsulting.substack.com/] 

Ever wonder why some products feel natural while others leave you puzzled? This discussion dives into the psychology of affordances—subtle cues that guide users intuitively. Discover how design elements can either enhance or confuse user experience. Learn about Don Norman's concepts of affordances, signifiers, and anti-affordances. Real-world examples illustrate the power of creating intuitive designs that align with human expectations, equipping you with insights to design products that feel just right.

In this episode, Thomas interviews Dr. Chris Wickens, a pioneer in cognitive engineering and human factors, and they discuss how designers can reduce errors and enhance decision-making when lives are on the line. They delve into the high-stakes world of design psychology for critical environments—think operating rooms, airplane cockpits, and military control systems. Together, they explore the real science of attention, what causes overload and confusion in high-pressure moments, and how augmented reality could revolutionize user interfaces in critical settings. Whether you're designing for surgeons, pilots, or autonomous vehicles, this episode is packed with essential takeaways from decades of research in applied cognitive science.🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:What every designer should know about how human attention actually worksWhy traditional design approaches often fail in high-pressure contextsHow to reduce cognitive load and prevent life-threatening mistakesThe surprising ways augmented reality is shaping the future of human-machine interactionLessons from the deep history of human factors and applied psychologyNever miss an episode. If you’d like a note when new episodes of The Design Psychologist drop, join the newsletter. I’ll send you fresh insights on psychology and design straight to your inbox. [Sign up for the newsletter here—it only takes a moment. → https://3leafconsulting.substack.com/] 

Discover the intriguing world of product research methods! Learn how inductive and deductive thinking can shape the insights you gain in design. Explore a scenario involving restaurant waitstaff apps to understand when to prototype ideas versus observing real user behavior. Find out how to navigate research choices based on your design phase and circumstances. From uncovering hidden insights to making quick decisions, this conversation reveals the nuances that can truly enhance your product's impact.

In this engaging conversation, Susan Weinschenk, a behavioral scientist and CEO of The Weinschenk Team, reveals the vital connection between psychology and design. She discusses how emotional and unconscious processing drives user behavior, and clarifies misconceptions about memory and dopamine—it's about anticipation, not just pleasure. Susan also emphasizes the power of storytelling in product design, the importance of aligning design with self-perception, and how gamification taps into intrinsic motivation to enhance user engagement.

Discover the intriguing concept of performance load and how it impacts user experiences in design. Learn about the four types of load: visual, intellectual, memory, and motor. Uncover how cluttered interfaces and excessive clicks can frustrate users. Delve into real-world examples from organizations like NASA and Dropbox that showcase effective design strategies. Find out when simplifying a task aids usability and when it can backfire, especially in educational contexts. Enhance your designs to create seamless connections between users and their goals.

Explore the intriguing science of color psychology and its impact on branding. Discover why common associations, like blue for trust, may not tell the full story. Delve into the cultural roots of color meanings, revealing surprising shifts over time. Learn how color affects emotions and influences buying decisions, along with the nuances of neuroeconomics. Gain insights into making smarter design choices that go beyond generic charts and elevate your brand.